Fifteen years old in 2008, the Hood River County Fruit Loop has become one of the Northwest’s best known and most popular rural attractions. It offers delightful country experiences, family fun, magnificent scenery – and a bounty of top-quality products, including the freshest fruit, berries, and produce, award-winning wines, gourmet food products and baked goods, lavender and lavender products, flowers and plants, and surprises such as gorgeous alpaca wool clothing, and yarns to make even the non-crafter reach for knitting needles. No wonder it’s become a Northwest favorite!

White settlers making a home in the Hood River Valley in the 1850s found rich volcanic soils, and a temperate climate perfect for growing fruit trees and other crops. In 1876, the valley’s first commercial orchard was planted. Within a few decades, the Hood River Valley had earned a wide reputation for fruit of exceptional quality. Eventually, it became known as one of the finest pear-growing districts in the world, with additional high-quality crops of apples, cherries, berries, and other produce.

The valley earned an equal reputation for its spectacular scenic beauty. Snow-capped Mt. Hood and Mt. Adams stand sentinel-like at either end. Forested Cascade Mountain foothills flank the orchard-blanketed valley floor. Scattered here and there are picturesque, friendly communities.
The area has been popular with visitors since pioneer times. Wagons once carried climbers, campers, and patrons of mountain lodges – who often arrived in Hood River by rail – through the scenic valley on their way to Mt. Hood. “Jitney” rail cars and a local railroad linked valley communities. As automobiles multiplied, tours around the valley became popular Sunday drives. Today, tours of the valley continue to be popular Sunday drives… and Monday through Saturday drives, too.

By the early 1990s, an increasing number of people were interested in knowing where and how their food was grown. Many wanted to choose locally grown and produced foods. Some in the agricultural community saw the Hood River Valley’s legendary fruit crops and scenic beauty as a “natural” to become a popular destination for such people. A grant was obtained from the Oregon Department of Agriculture, and the Hood River County Fruit Loop was born. The organization received local support, as well.

Since its beginning, Fruit Loop offerings have become increasingly diverse. This year, more than 35 farms and attractions, which welcome visitors during at least a portion of the year, are part of the “Loop.” They range from large fruit orchards to family fruit stands, wineries and vineyards to specialty stores and bakeries using local fruit. There are alpaca ranches, berry farms, lavender farms, and destination farms with a variety of crops, activities and special fun for families.

Seeking wonderful fruit fresh from the tree? The Fruit Loop is, of course, the place to go. Throughout the tree fruit harvest season – from the earliest cherry to the final apple and pear – you’ll find an incredible selection of varieties and flavors. Free tastes are offered at many Fruit Loop farms. Choose your favorite fruit, produce, jams and syrups, and take a selection home. Not only is there a big choice of ready-picked fruit, but some farms also offer U-pick opportunities.

Various U-pick crops may be found throughout the year, including strawberries, blueberries, cherries, apples, tomatoes, pumpkins, lavender, sunflowers, and decorative flowers such as dahlias and zinnias. It is always a good idea to call ahead to be sure that U-pick is currently available – especially if a larger quantity is wanted.

The Fruit Loop is also well known for special events, and there are five Loop-wide events planned in 2008. New this year is the Fruit Loop Wine Celebration, June 20-21. Throughout the Columbia Gorge, vineyards and wineries have burgeoned in recent years. The diversity of grapes which can be grown in the region, the quality of soils, and the variations in elevations, have led to a flourishing local wine industry and federal designation as the Columbia Gorge Appellation, an official, unique grape-growing region.

Vineyards and wineries now sit alongside orchards, and some of the quality fruits and berries are used to make delightful specialty wines in addition to diverse grape varietals. The first annual Fruit Loop Wine Celebration will highlight this success, highlighting many award-winning wines. Tour the Loop. Visit attractive and welcoming tasting rooms. Enjoy the scenery. Talk to winemakers. Above all, delight in tasting wonderful local wines. There will be many special offerings and attractions available throughout the Fruit Loop Wine Celebration weekend.

Next up is Hood River Cherry Days, July 12-13. Luscious cherries are a favorite of almost everyone, and this popular annual celebration falls during the heart of the Hood River Valley cherry harvest season. Fruit Loop farms offer more than a dozen varieties of fresh-picked cherries, along with delicious cherry products, including cherry wine, jam, pies and desserts. Choose ready-picked cherries, or pick your own at a U-pick orchard, and enjoy other special activities, too!

August brings the Fruit Loop celebration that serious bakers never miss. Gravenstein Apple Days will be held August 16-17. Gravenstein apples are considered by many to be “the best” for pies, desserts, applesauce, and other treats. But their season is early and short, and they do not keep well. Fruit Loop members don’t want Northwest Gravenstein lovers to miss them! In addition to supplies of apples, there will be plenty of Gravenstein products, including pies, crisp, dumplings, jams, and desserts. Fun attractions and other delicious foods are planned, too.

The Hood River Valley has long been world-famous for pears. The Hood River Pear Celebration takes place September 20-21 all along the Fruit Loop. Some 18 varieties of fresh pears will be available, along with pear wines, desserts, delicious foods, live music, fun for kids, and other attractions. Try some free samples… and take home plenty of your favorites.

Bored with the limited selection of apples at your local supermarket? Wonder whatever happened to the “old,” but very flavorful, varieties which grew on Grandma’s backyard trees? They’re still around!

Heirloom Apple Days is the Fruit Loop’s celebration of the “heirloom” or “classic” apples that have all but disappeared from commercial orchards producing large volumes of fruit which must travel and store well. To be considered heirlooms, apple varieties must have existed 100 or more years. They have names like Spitzenburg, MacIntosh, Ortley, Transparent, and many more. Discover the wide range of flavors, colors, shapes, and textures of more than 20 classic apple varieties during Heirloom Apple Days. Enjoy fresh-pressed cider, hard apple cider, apple desserts and more. There are fun attractions and activities for everyone in the family, and autumn scenery, too.

But these five Fruit Loop-wide celebrations are far from the only goings-on along the Fruit Loop. Individual farms and wineries have their own special attractions, too. It’s hard to find a weekend throughout the harvest season when there isn’t something special and fun happening. Individual celebrations range from alpaca fiestas and winery open houses to lavender festivals, summer barbecues, bakery sales, corn mazes and Halloween displays. Whether it’s an event focused on Swiss-German heritage, the variety of Asian pears, a shared love of spinning and knitting, Mexican culture, fields of sunflowers, or delicious desserts, you can find it taking place at some time – somewhere – along the Fruit Loop. Check the map and website often to avoid missing a special weekend or event.

Touring the Fruit Loop will appeal to everyone. It’s a great place to make memories, meet cute alpacas and other friendly farm animals, take an orchard tour, see lavender distilling, let the kids play games, tour wineries and taste delicious wines, try lots of free samples, and take part in many other fun activities. A number of Fruit Loop members have free picnic sites – many of them scenic – available to visitors. Bring a lunch, purchase some fresh fruit or a tasty drink at one of the farms, and relax in the fresh air.
There is not space here to list all that the Fruit Loop offers. Visit the website at www.hoodriverfruitloop.com, check the map and brochure for information about individual farms, stores and attractions, event details, and time-frames when particular crops are available, and call 541-386-7697 with any unanswered questions. Most events are listed in the calendar on pages ?? to ???. It’s easy to plan a Fruit Loop visit – or several – based on your individual interests.

Communication specialist Davinne McKeown Ellis grew up on the Hood River orchard planted by her great-grandparents.

Hood River Fruit Loop

By Davinne McKeown Ellis