2025 Camellia Festival and Run Returns April 12
NEWBERG, Ore. — The Camellia Festival is back on Saturday, April 12, with a streamlined schedule focused on community favorites. Organized this year by the Chehalem Parks and Recreation District (CPRD), the event includes the annual 5K/10K run, a camellia bloom show, and a high-energy taiko drum performance at the Chehalem Cultural Center‘s LaJoie Theatre.
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The festival, which began in 2009 to honor Newberg’s city flower, has evolved over the years. Previously hosted by the Chehalem Cultural Center, past festivals featured plant sales, cultural performances, and vendor markets, drawing thousands of visitors. This year’s event pares things down but keeps key traditions alive, focusing on Newberg’s official flower that’s currently in bloom.
The 5K/10K run starts at 9 a.m. at the Cultural Center, with each registered participant receiving a one-gallon camellia plant. The bloom show opens for public viewing at 10 a.m. in the Loft Gallery, with judging at noon. At 11 a.m., Portland-based enTaiko takes the stage in the LaJoie Theater, bringing the thunderous rhythms of Japanese taiko drumming. Tickets to the performance are available at the Chehalem Cultural Center website.
For more details or to register for the run, visit CPRD’s website.
Dundee Hills AVA Celebrates 20 Years with Multiple Events
DUNDEE, Ore. — The Dundee Hills American Viticulture Association (AVA) is marking 20 years as an officially recognized AVA with a series of events throughout 2025, celebrating its legacy and future in winemaking, according to the Dundee Hills Winegrowers Association (DHWA).
Established in 2004, the Dundee Hills AVA is known for its distinctive wines, shaped by volcanic Jory soils and a cool climate according to the Dundee Hills AVA website. The region is home to 61 DHWA members, including 28 wineries with LIVE certification and three B-Corp-certified wineries—the highest number of any AVA worldwide.
The celebration kicks off April 17 at Argyle Winery with a wine tasting and panel discussion. A mid-summer gathering at Vinovate Custom Wine Services follows on July 26, and the anniversary wraps up Oct. 25 at Alexana with a harvest-season event. Attendees can expect exclusive tastings, behind-the-scenes vineyard experiences, and discussions with winemakers.
More details and registration will be available this spring.
ART Elements Gallery Opens Beneath the Surface Exhibition March 25
NEWBERG, Ore. — ART Elements Gallery is showcasing Beneath the Surface, a new exhibition featuring abstract landscapes by Ted Olson alongside ceramic sculptures and oil paintings by Liisa Rahkonen. The show runs from March 25 through May 31.
Olson’s work captures the Pacific Northwest’s untamed beauty, using abstraction to reveal the quiet resilience beneath its dramatic landscapes. Rahkonen’s sculptures and paintings focus on birds, exploring both their physical distinctiveness and the soulful connections they share with humans. Together, their work offers a fresh perspective on the relationship between people and the natural world.
A reception and artist talk will take place on Saturday, April 5, from 2 to 4 p.m., providing visitors an opportunity to hear directly from the artists about their inspirations and techniques.
Beneath the Surface is on view now at ART Elements Gallery.
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