Newberg Old Fashioned Festival Returns for 2024

NEWBERG, Ore.—The Newberg Old Fashioned Festival (NOFF) is back at Memorial Park and Renne Field in Newberg with events from Thursday, July 25, to Sunday, July 28.

NOFF started in 1921 as the Newberg Berrian Festival, according to the Newberg Area Historical Society. The festival is the longest-running in Newberg, originally founded to bring the same energy as the Portland Rose Festival and promote local traditions and commerce in the area.

The event has changed over the years and morphed around historical events, eventually becoming the Newberg Old Fashioned Festival in 1981—an annual event consistently featuring a carnival, live music, cultural stage, pancake breakfast from the Rotary Club, a dog costume contest, and more.

The crown jewel of NOFF is the grand parade.

The grand parade on Saturday, July 27, starts at 10 a.m. on the east side of Renne Field, heads north on South Meridian Street, turns west on East 2nd Street, snakes around on South Main Street before returning to South Blaine Street via East 3rd Street, and ends back on the west side of Renne Field.

This year’s Grand Parade Marshals are Tom and Linda Vondrachek, the former longtime owners of the 1950s-themed burger and ice cream restaurant Jem100. The Vondracheks officially retired on April 1, 2024, handing the restaurant to their daughter and son-in-law, Lindsay and Eric Harrison.

Full List of Newberg Old Fashioned Festival Events

The 2024 Old Fashioned Festival Royal Court

According to the Newberg Area Historical Society, the Old Fashioned Festival Royal Court was established to act as ambassadors for the town, promoting economic opportunities and serving as town greeters when delegations visited.

Court members, aged 16 to 18, are selected by a panel of community members based on applications solicited in January each year and completed by March. Royal court members participate in community events via community service and public speaking, gaining valuable community connections, a court wardrobe, and a $500 scholarship.

There is also a new junior court program open to 11- to 13-year-olds, who accompany the senior court during the week of the Newberg Old Fashioned Festival.

Learn more at the Newberg Old Fashioned Festival Royal Court Instagram page.

NOFF Queen Kyndall McCollum

“Hello! My name is Kyndall McCollum and I am the 2024 Newberg Old Fashioned Festival Queen! I am 16 years old and going to be a senior at Newberg High School in the fall.

I have been an active member of my cheer team for the past three years, even earning a spot as a captain for my final year. I also participate in my school’s ASB and got the chance to play golf this last spring at a competitive level. I can’t even begin to express how lucky I feel to be in this position and get to share my joy for the festival with you all.

I grew up in Newberg, Oregon going to the festival every summer with my family and friends. Nothing compares to the feeling of walking around booths, going on the ferris wheel for the first time, and setting up to finally watch those fireworks Saturday night. I remember as a little girl seeing the princesses driving around in the annual parade, and immediately knowing that, that’s something I want to do.

To be here today and say that I am this year’s Queen is such an amazing feeling and I just love being able to not only represent myself, but represent the festival and Newberg in a positive way!”

NOFF Princess Elise Steffen

“Hello! My name is Elise Steffen, I am the 2024 Newberg Old-Fashioned Festival princess. I am 17 years old and I will be attending Newberg High School as a senior this fall.

I was born and raised here in Newberg, and I have loved growing up in such a strong community! I am a part of the schools ski team where I have earned a variety letter and I act as team captain. I also play golf on the schools team where I have made valuable friendships.

I am an active member in the high school where I am a part of the ASB leadership team, mental health community and many other communities that make the school a better place!

Ever since I was a little girl, I always looked forward to the Old Fashioned Festival and being on the court this year has just made that weekend ever so special to me. I always looked up to the girls on the court and to say that I’m on it this year has been the biggest privilege of a lifetime. I will cherish the memories that I made being on the court forever!

Thank you for letting me represent the festival and Newberg!”