Oregon Vintage Festival at Evergreen Aviation Museum

Unique Outdoor Festival in McMinnville, Ore.

Celebrates Fine Wine, Food and Art During Labor Day Weekend.

MCMINNVILLE, Ore. – Fri., Sat., Sun., Sept. 1,2,3, 2006 - The Evergreen Aviation Museum, home of the famous Spruce Goose, will host a special Labor Day weekend celebration – the Oregon Vintage Festival. Located in the heart of Oregon’s wine country, nestled in the Museum’s Oak Grove, the 3 day outdoor festival will showcase the Northwest’s finest wine, beer, food, entertainment, art, aircraft and automobiles.

“The Oregon Vintage Festival will encompass the true meaning of “Vintage” [characterized by excellence, and lasting popularity] and promises to be Oregon’s premier summer celebration,” according to the Oregon Vintage Festival Board of Directors.

Guests will be greeted by the opportunity for hot air balloon rides, helicopter tours of Yamhill Valley’s wine country, the sounds of Portland-area Jazz and Blues musicians, regional wine and brewery vendors including Panther Creek Cellars, Amity Vineyards, Coleman Vineyards, DePonte´ Cellars and Rogue Ales, juried art and specialty summer cuisine from restaurants around the region.

The Oregon Vintage Festival will be open 3-9 p.m. on Fri., 12 – 9 p.m. on Sat., and 12 – 6 p.m. on Sun.

Ticket prices are $10 on Friday for festival-admission only, $20 on Saturday and $20 on Sunday which includes admission to the festival as well as one visit to the Evergreen Aviation Museum and one visit to the Evergreen IMAX® Theater. A weekend pass is also available for $35 and includes a pass to the festival for three days as well as one visit to the Evergreen Aviation Museum and one visit to the Evergreen IMAX® Theater. Event tickets can be purchased by calling 503-434-4023. More information about the Festival can be found online at www.sprucegoose.org.

Proceeds from the event will benefit the Henderson House and the McMinnville Athletic Club.

Henderson House: A place where victims of domestic and sexual violence in Yamhill County can seek safe and confidential services including shelter. The Mission is "Guiding those in need to a life free from domestic and sexual violence," and have been doing so since 1981. Henderson House works to empower victim/survivors to identify and utilize the strengths within themselves. Henderson House helps them to seek their own solutions, and support them in their decision-making. They work to promote change in the societal conditions that allow oppression and all forms of violence against vulnerable populations to exist, by providing direct services, education and outreach. Website: http://www.hendersonhouse.org/

McMinnville Athletics: It is well documented that athletics and activities are vital to the education of students. They teach lifelong lessons of teamwork and self-discipline and facilitate the physical and emotional development of our community’s youth. Since the reduction in the public school funding in 2001, McMinnville’s athletic programs have been in need of additional funding to keep the programs alive. Specifically, the middle school programs have been drastically reduced and the inability to purchase supplies and equipment. McMinnville Athletic Department hopes to increase funding by being a beneficiary of the Oregon Vintage Festival for both middle school and high school athletic programs so that students have as many opportunities to be involved in school activities.

The Evergreen Aviation Museum is best known as the home of the world’s largest wooden airplane, the Spruce Goose, SR-71 Blackbird, the Titan II SLV Missile and the Grumman F6F-3 Hellcat. In addition, there are more than 75 historic aircraft and exhibits on display, along with artwork, traveling displays, the Spruce Goose Café and the newly remodeled Rotors, Wings & Things store. The Evergreen Aviation Museum’s hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., daily except when it is closed for Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, New Year’s Day and Easter. The Museum is located at 500 NE Captain Michael King Smith Way, across the highway from the McMinnville Airport and about three miles southeast of McMinnville, Ore., on Highway 18. Regular visitor admission is required. Call (503) 434-4180 for more information, and visit www.sprucegoose.org.

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