FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 9, 2012
For more information:
Tallie Mattson
360-750-1553 Ext 19
marketingadmin@visitvancouverusa.com
A PACKED THANKSGIVING WEEKEND STARTS OFF THE HOLIDAY SEASON
IN VANCOUVER USA
Tree lighting, wine tasting, and fun runs are some of the great activities over Thanksgiving weekend
VANCOUVER, Wash., - Southwest Washington kicks off the holiday season with this Thanksgiving weekend full of activities and events for everyone Nov. 23-25.
"Vancouver has some great events planned for the Thanksgiving weekend that really showcase our diversity," said Kim Bennett, president and CEO of the Vancouver USA Regional Tourism Office. "Tree lightings, wine tours and family events are a great way to start the holiday season!"
Start Thanksgiving Day with the 2012 Turkey Trot at 9 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 22, at Klineline Pond. The race has both a 5k walk/run and 10k run, and will include a polar bear plunge at 10 a.m. Registration is $20 per person and closes midnight, Nov. 16. Register at http://www.turkey-trot.org/.
The Vancouver Rotary Foundation's annual Festival of Trees will begin with a tree viewing at Pearson Air Museum, Friday, Nov. 23-Sunday, Nov. 25. Professionally decorated trees will be placed around vintage planes in the museum. Activities also include a kid's scavenger hunt, flight simulators, the talking tree, local entertainers and Santa Clause. A suggested donation is $5 per family.
Downtown Holidazzle will take place at Esther Short Park and the Hilton Vancouver Washington at 3 p.m. Friday, November 23. A special holiday Farmers Market, local high school choir performances and community tree lighting with Santa will occur at Esther Short Park. The Hilton will host the Dixieland Jazz Band, Vancouver Community Concert Band Concert and Vancouver Pops Orchestra Concert.
A full schedule of Festival of Tree and Holidazzle events and times is available at http://rotaryfestivaloftrees.org/festival-schedule.
The Chelatchie Prairie Railroad will host its final Wine Run of the season on Nov. 24, on a tour through the backwoods of North Clark County, ending at the Moulton Falls Winery for tastings, music, food and more. The railroad will also begin its Christmas Tree Train on Nov. 25, and will continue through Dec.16. For fare schedules and rates, visit the Chelatchie Prairie Railroad, http://www.bycx.com/schedule.
Enjoy the fall foliage with a drive through Clark County. Along the way, many wineries will be open for tours, tastings and events:
- The Rusty Grape will hold a weekend winery tour noon-10 p.m. Friday, Nov. 23-Saturday, Nov. 24, and noon-6 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 25. There will be a barrel tasting and release of two new wines; a blended Windmill Red and Black Raspberry Port. Sunday will include an acoustic guitar performance and tapas. http://rustygrape.com/
- Bethany Vineyard and Winery will be open noon-6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 23-Sunday, Nov. 25, for tastings. http://bethanyvineyard.com/
- English Estate Winery will host Good Times and Wine from 6-8:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 23, with music by Tom Mann, and a no-charge potluck. http://www.englishestatewinery.com/
- Three Brothers Vineyard and Winery will be open 1-6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 23; noon-6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 24; and noon-5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 25. The winery will be featuring food pairings with select varietals. http://www.threebrotherswinery.com/
- Moulton Falls Winery will be open 1-9 p.m. Friday Nov. 23 with live music and food, 6-9 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 24, and noon-6 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 25. http://www.facebook.com/MoultonFallsWinery
- Burnt Bridge Cellars will host a barrel tasting with 2011 wines and appetizers noon-5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 23, and Saturday, Nov. 24. The cellars will be closed Sunday, Nov. 25. http://www.burntbridgecellars.com/
- Olequa Cellars will release its 2009 Caruso's Red Reserve noon-5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 23-Sunday, Nov. 25. http://olequa.com/
- Gouger Cellars Winery will feature special discounts on wine 2-8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 23, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 24, and noon-5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 25. http://gcwinery.com/
- Heisen House Vineyards will be open noon-6 Friday, Nov. 23-Sunday, Nov. 25. They will feature a wine tasting for $5 per person with light appetizers. http://heisenhousevineyards.com/
Breweries in the area will also hold special hours for the weekend:
- Mt Tabor Brewing will only be open 4 p.m.-close p.m. Friday, Nov. 23. They will hold special hours on Wednesday, Nov. 22, from 4-8 p.m. http://www.mttaborbrewing.com/
- Laurelwood Public House and Brewery will be open Friday, Nov. 23-Sunday, Nov. 25, with breakfast, lunch, dinner and happy hour. http://www.laurelwoodbrewpub.com/
- Railside Brewing will be open Saturday, Nov. 24 from 3:30-10 p.m. http://www.facebook.com/pages/Railside-Brewing-LTD/234022806654370
- Loowit Brewing will be open 4-10 p.m. Friday, Nov. 23 during the holiday weekend. http://loowitbrewing.com/
- Mill Creek Pub will be closed, Thanksgiving Day, and open early at 9 a.m. Friday, Nov. 23, and will resume with regular hours. http://millcreekpub.com/
For an up-to-date listing of more Clark County events, visit www.VisitVancouverUSA.com.
About Vancouver USA Regional Tourism Office
The Vancouver USA Regional Tourism Office, along with the Vancouver USA Regional Sports Commission, is an economic development organization responsible for competitively marketing Vancouver and the surrounding area as a destination for meetings, conventions, sports events, and group and leisure travelers. The organization's mission is to promote Vancouver and Clark County by increasing convention and visitor business. For more information call 360-750-1553, or visit www.VisitVancouverUSA.com.
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