Celebrate Tulips, Irises, Daffodils in the Willamette Valley
The Willamette Valley hosts several spring festivals showcasing the beauty of flowers while celebrating in style with picnic lunches, parades, and children’s activities.
Spring in Oregon brings daffodil, tulip, and iris blooms to the Willamette Valley. Locals and visitors celebrate the beauty of spring at area festivals in Junction City, Woodburn, and Keizer. The Oregon Garden also displays the arrival of spring.
Daffodil Drive Festival – Junction City
The Daffodil Drive and Festival in Junction City runs the 3rd weekend in March. The festival is sponsored by the Long Tom Grange, in Junction City, just north of Eugene. The event celebrates spring with bright yellow daffodils, and fun events, booths, and food. Activities include a classic car display, wagon rides, art show, quilt displays, and lots of flowers. The daffodils line Ferguson Road, setting the stage for a parade of vehicles during the Daffodil Drive.
Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival – Woodburn
Each year the Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival amazes visitors with brightly colored tulips, arranged in a variety of designs, stretching as far as the eye can see. The festival celebrates its 24th anniversary in 2009, running from March 25th through April 26th. The Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm boasts over 40 acres of colorful tulips, with a backdrop of magnificent Mt. Hood. Just 30 minutes from Salem and 45 minutes from Portland, this tulip festival offers a variety of events each weekend during the festival. Children’s activities are a favorite at the farm. The Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm is located at 33814 S. Meridian Road.
Iris Festival – Keizer
The Keizer Iris Festival is celebrated the entire month of May, with a culmination of events on Memorial Day weekend. With over 500 iris varieties, visitors can walk among the 10 acres of gardens at Schreiner’s. Picnic lunches at the Iris Festival are a favorite activity. Other festival activities and events include a 5K run/walk, half marathon, pet walk, golf tournament, and carnival. The Iris Parade can’t be missed, running along River Road in Keizer, north of Salem.
Other Spring Bloom Attractions in Oregon – The Oregon Garden – Silverton
The Oregon Garden, located near historic Silverton, Oregon, is an exciting place during springtime. The garden is the masterpiece of decades of ideas and planning by the Oregon Association of Nurserymen. The garden is now the destination for weddings, concerts, and other events throughout the year. Before visiting the Oregon Garden, visitors can visit the Oregon Garden website for information on “What’s in Bloom” to get an idea of the flowers in bloom during the month selected.
The Oregon Garden is a magnificent place, encompassing more than 20 specialty gardens. The gardens range from water features, forest themes, gardens for children, and home design and gardens used for conservation education. Garden art and water fountains are found throughout the gardens.
Visitors can also walk through the Home Demonstration Garden, to see new ideas for home gardens. Local nurseries maintain the displays, with ever-changing ideas on landscaping presentation.