Hood River Hard-Pressed Cider Fest Announces 2019 Lineup

28 local & regional cideries will be sampling more than 50 original hard ciders on April 20, 2019

Hood River, Ore. – March 19, 2019 – On April 20, 2019, Hood River will again be the epicenter for the region’s hard cider scene, thanks to the sixth annual Hood River Hard-Pressed Cider Fest. The 2019 festival – which appropriately takes place at a fruit-packing house in the heart of Hood River Valley, surrounded by fruit orchards in bloom – features 28 local and regional cideries, including five that are new to the festival. Tickets are available now at www.hoodriver.org.

The participating cideries will be sampling more than 50 original ciders that showcase the wide variety of styles coming out of the Pacific Northwest cider scene.

“For anyone who wants to get a taste of the region’s fantastic hard cider scene, the festival is the place to be. Cider experts and novices alike can discover new favorite ciders and cideries, plus have a great time listening to live music, mingling with friends and taking in the orchard views,” said Mike Glover, president/CEO of the Hood River County Chamber of Commerce, which produces the event.

Festival-goers will be able to sample food from local restaurants, including Parkdale’s Apple Valley BBQ, Hood River’s Michoacan Sports Bar & Grill, and Portland’s The Local Grind. The daylong event also features arts and crafts vendors and a lineup of live music.

Families and those with ‘fur babies’ should take note: New for 2019 is an

expanded interactive kids’ zone, hosted by Our Children’s Place Academy, with games, crafts and cider-centered projects. And while animals are not allowed at the event, there’s a new “dog parking” service just outside the event gates, thanks to Kind Animal Services. Space is limited and there is an hourly fee. To reserve a spot for your pooch, email contact@kindanimalservices.com.

Noted Glover, “I think everyone is ready to celebrate spring this year. We’ve loved all the snow and what a winter wonderland Hood River has been, but spring fever is going to be running high, and there’s no better place to raise a glass to the new season than the Hood River Hard-Pressed Cider Fest.”

Hood River Hard-Pressed Cider Fest is the anchor event for Hood River Valley Blossom Time, a monthlong celebration of the beauty and agricultural heritage of the area. For a list of top springtime activities in Hood River, go to hoodriver.org/hood-rivers-top-springtime-activities/.

2019 Participating Cideries
*New for 2019

Hood River Hard-Pressed Cider Fest Event Details

• When: Saturday, April 20, 2019
• Where: 3315 Stadelman Drive, Hood River, OR
• Hours: Noon-7 p.m.
• Tickets:
  $15 – Pre-sale event pass. Includes entry into Cider Fest, five 2-ounce taste tokens and commemorative glass.
  $20 – Day-of event pass. Includes entry into Cider Fest, five 2-ounce taste tokens and commemorative glass.
  $10 – Entry only. Adult entry into Cider Fest event; ages 20 and under are free. Does not include commemorative glass and tokens.
• Purchase tickets online: hoodriver.org/cider-fest/

Entertainment Lineup
12:15-1:15 p.m. – Rachel Drake (Hood River)
1:30-2:30 p.m. – JoAnna Lee (Bend)
3-4:30 p.m. – Boxcar Stringband (Bend)
5-6:30 p.m. – The Van Rontens (Portland)

About Hood River, Ore.
Located at the crossroads of the spectacular Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area and the magnificent Cascade Range and just an hour from Portland, Hood River is wildly gorge-ous, offering outdoor recreation, dramatic vistas, historic landmarks, bountiful fruit, and fantastic food, wine, beer and cider. With accommodations ranging from luxury hotels to historic B&Bs, Hood River is a four-season destination for families, outdoor enthusiasts, weddings, corporate events and more. It was named a Top 10 Wine Destination for 2017 by Wine Enthusiast Magazine, and 2015 Best Adventure Town in the West by Sunset magazine.

The Hood River County Chamber of Commerce supports economic development, community development, and destination marketing for Hood River, Cascade Locks, Mosier, Odell, Parkdale, Pine Grove and Mount Hood. hoodriver.org