​Halloween is an annual holiday celebrated each year on October 31st. It originated with the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, when people would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off ghosts. In the eighth century, Pope Gregory III designated November 1st as a time to honor all saints; soon, All Saints Day incorporated some of the traditions of Samhain. The evening before was known as All Hallows Eve, and later Halloween. Over time, Halloween evolved into a day of activities like trick-or-treating, carving jack-o-lanterns, festive gatherings, and donning costumes and eating sweet treats. In honor of tomorrow’s holiday, let’s look into the history of our most common activates; costumes, trick-or-treating, and parties.
 
Borrowing from Irish and English traditions, Americans began to dress up in costumes and go house to house asking for food or money, a practice that eventually became today’s “trick-or-treat” tradition. To keep ghosts away from their houses, people would also place bowls of food outside their homes to appease the ghosts and prevent them from attempting to enter. Trick-or-treating was a relatively inexpensive way for an entire community to share the Halloween celebration. In theory, families could also prevent tricks being played on them by providing the neighborhood children with small treats. Thus, a new American tradition was born, and it has continued to grow. Today, Americans spend an estimated $6 billion annually on Halloween, making it the country’s second largest commercial holiday after Christmas.
 
The tradition of dressing in costume for Halloween has both European and Celtic roots. On Halloween, when it was believed that ghosts came back to the earthly world, people thought that they would encounter ghosts if they left their homes. To avoid being recognized by these ghosts, people would wear masks when they left their homes after dark so that the ghosts would mistake them for fellow spirits.
 
In the late 1800s, there was a move in America to mold Halloween into a holiday more about community and neighborly get-togethers than about ghosts, pranks and witchcraft. At the turn of the century, Halloween parties for both children and adults became the most common way to celebrate the day. Parties focused on games, foods of the season and festive costumes.
 
This Halloween come join the Dallas community to celebrate. If you are looking for a kid friendly events Dallas will be having Trick N Treat, and churches will be hosting Trunk and Treats. For adults, many of our local wineries and bars will be holding festivities.
 
This Halloween be safe, and have fun!

This Wednesday, October 31st, Dallas Area Visitors Center partners with Morrison Campus students to throw our annual Trick N’ Treat!
 
Trick N’ Treat local businesses in one spot! And this year we will have carnival games for kiddos to play too!
 
The Dallas Area Visitors Center is pleased to host this safe and weather proof event at the Morrison Campus on Main Street. The free Trick N’ Treat happens from 3 pm to 6 pm for children ages zero to twelve years old.
 
We average over six hundred and fifty people participating with twenty plus businesses on display, giving out goodies to kids and their parents. This year the students are working on games to play, a haunted house and a photo area to capture your kiddo in their costume. The costume contest happens every half an hour, starting at 3:30 pm with the last contest at 6 pm. Exciting prizes for all of our ghouls, goblins and witches to win!
 
To meet all of our treat needs we are holding our first annual Chocolate for Charity Contest! The contest runs from 8 am Wednesday, October 17th to 8 am on Wednesday, October 31st. For every two bags of candy donated to the Trick N’ Treat Celebration you will receive one entry into the drawing. You may enter as many times as you would like. You must write your name and contact information on the entry form. October 31st a student from Morrison Campus will draw a winning entry form. Winner will be called or emailed notifying them of their winnings.
 
Prizes includes a standard oil change from Mid Valley Ford, your business and logo (if applicable) highlighted on the Chamber and the Visitors Center social media and the Trick N’ Treat webpage. You can bring your candy donations to any chamber event, or stop by the Chamber office at 168 SW Court St.
 
We are so grateful to everyone at Morrison Alternative Campus for allowing us to host our annual Trick N’ Treat event. The students start their work in September learning about the various aspects of event planning. They are taking that information and implementing it over the course of the next month. The students are learning everything from logistics planning, marketing, PR, and budgeting to secure sponsors, getting donations and working with community. Mid October the students work hard to transform their school into a safe, weather resistant and fun place for parents to bring their kiddos on Halloween.
 
If you are interested in sponsoring or participating in our Trick N’ Treat Celebration as a vendor please contact us using the link below.
 
We hope to see you there!
 
https://www.exploredallasoregon.org/halloween.html
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​It’s the last day of August, and the end of summer is only three weeks away. That sounds like a good enough reason to have a day dedicated to eating outside. Eating outside, or eating alfresco, dates back to the middle ages, when hunters ate outside before beginning their excursions. Picnics, which have historically been eaten in pastoral settings, first became popular in the 18th century. The word “picnic” was first used in English in 1748, and picnicking in the parks of France became popular after the revolution of 1789. During the first major battle of the Civil War, the First Battle of Bull run, picnickers who had come to watch the battle had to run back to Washington D.C., as the expected Union victory did not come to be. Picnicking gained in popularity in the 20th century, when public transportation and automobiles allowed people to more easily escape to bucolic surroundings. Barbecues, which often consist of cooking on grill in backyards, were another pastime that gained popularity in the 20th century.
 
Pleasure gardens were another venue where eating outside took place. A form of these public gardens existed in Ancient Rome, and many were opened in England in the 18th and 19th century. They also appeared in major cities in the United States in the 18th century, and had various attractions, including food. Usually light snacks were eaten, especially ice cream. A similar, but smaller type of outdoor venue for eating, was the tea garden. Following the Civil War, beer gardens became popular. They were based off of German beer gardens, and flourished on the outskirts of town until the prohibition era.
 
Around the turn of the 20th century, the first outdoor cafes opened in the United States. They were modeled after Parisian cafes, which had been in existence since the 17th century. Some rooftop restaurants also opened in larger cities in the United States around the same time. Another important popular outdoor attraction around the turn of the 20th century that featured food was Coney Island. Charles Feltman is credited with inventing the hot dog there, and he built a restaurant with outside seating, taking inspiration from pleasure gardens and the beer gardens of his homeland. He eventually built an outdoor dining area that was lined with maple trees and staffed with singing waiters. By the 1920’s, the subway lined reached Coney Island, and Feltman’s business boomed. One of Feltman’s workers, Nathan Handwerker, opened Nathan’s Hot Dogs in 1916, and it still is in business at Coney Island today. And guess what? They have outside seating!
 
Celebrate the day by eating outside! Have a picnic or a barbecue with your family or friends! Go to a restaurant that has outdoor seating. Maybe you even live close to one of the best outdoor dining restaurants in the country.
 
 
 
 
 
 

Starting as a party gag in 1978, Johnny Limbo and the Lugnuts have become one of the most popular bands to perform the classic oldies hits. The Lugnut’s fame has spread beyond the Pacific Northwest, dazzling audiences from Washington State to Washington D.C. Their performances have been enthusiastically received at corporate parties, civic celebrations, fairs, fund raisers, concert halls, conventions and televised events. From the beginning their goal was to have fun. This has not changed in 40 years and of course, as always, you are invited to join in the good times!
 
The long list of annual return engagements is a testament to the fact that Johnny Limbo and the Lugnuts is “Can’t miss” entertainment and a hit with all ages; from kids to grandparents.
 
Johnny Limbo and the Lugnuts have shared the stage with many national acts including Chuck Berry, Chubby Checker, the Righteous Brothers, the Mamas and the Papas, Three Dog Night, Jan and Dean, Johnny Rivers, Rick Nelson, The Ventures, and Paul Revere and the Raiders. They toured the Far East with stops in Japan, Korea, and the Philippines. The Lugnut’s played for the Oakland A’s at the opening game and were invited by NIKE to perform for a special party during the closing of the Los Angeles Olympics. Each year the list continues to grow.
 
Johnny Limbo and the Lugnuts emphasize showmanship, creating a never-ending energy on stage. The electricity generated by this sight and sound experience results in packed dance floors at every performance. Ask anyone who has experienced Johnny Limbo and the Lugnuts and they will tell you… “Rock and Roll will never die, and the Lugnuts are the reason why!”
 
Johnny Limbo and the Lugnuts will be playing here in Dallas for our closing Sounds of Summer. Do not miss all the fun, food, and music. The band will be kicking off at 6:30pm on the Academy Lawn. This event is free to the public so bring your blanket and chairs. As always, we hope to see you there!
 
“Long live Johnny Limbo and the Lugnuts!”
​
​“Nice night listening to Johnny Limbo & the Lugnuts. They still pack in the listeners. Their music always has everyone tapping to the beat. 40 years and still going strong.”

​The Annual Dallas Summerfest Parade is hosted by the Dallas Area Visitors Center and kicks off at 11 am on Saturday, July 28th during Dallas Summerfest. You never know what kind of fun and flashy parade floats that our city will come up with, especially with this year’s theme being Black and Orange: Hometown Pride! Come out and celebrate our amazing community with us!

We are also selling Dallas Summerfest Hometown Pride commemorative pennants for a limited time only! Just $5. We will be selling these pennants Sounds of Summer, Bounty Market, as well as our office. Our goal is to sell out and have parade attendees waiving them as the parade participants go by, plus it’s a cool keepsake for years to come.

If you are local business looking to promote yourself the Dallas Summerfest Parade is an amazing opportunity. We are currently accepting applications for the parade and would love to see your company involved. It’s a great day of sun and fun, all while getting your name out into the community. We have applications available online at exploredallasoregon.org, in our office, or available at the information booth during Bounty Market.

​ 
“One of the world’s premier Beatles cover bands” – US News and World Report
 
“Unquestionably expert at what they do.” – Indyweek
 
“I loved the Abbey Road LIVE! Band! They were awesome! I would go see them anywhere I could. If it wasn’t so fun watching them enjoy playing, one could close their eyes and have a great idea of what an Abbey Road tour by the Beatles would have sounded like, just Awesome!”
 
Since 2002, Abbey Road LIVE! Has been rocking the music of the Beatles at clubs, theaters, festivals, and private events. Initially a tribute to the monumental “Abbey Road” album, the band has expanded its scope to include more than a 100 Beatles tunes, from all ears of the Fab Four’s career. The band specializes in complete, start-to-finish album performances of masterpieces such as “Abbey Road”, “Magical Mystery Tour”, “Rubber Soul”, “Revolver”, and “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Heart’s Club Band”.
 
Abbey Road LIVE! Is made up of four all-star musicians from the infamous Athens GA music scene that gave the world R.E.M., Widespread Panic, and B-52s. Collectively the band members have recorded and toured regularly with Cosmic Charlie, Charlie Mars, and Fuzzy Sprouts. Individual band members have also collaborated with acts such as Indigo Girls, Juliana Hatfield, Mike house (Widespread Panic), Danielle Howle and Lemonheads.
 
While the four lads from Athens GA generally perform as a quartet, they have also been known to recruit the “Magical Mystery Horns” and the “Lonely Hearts Strings”, lending authentic accompaniment to the more elaborately orchestrated tunes. The latest addition to the Abbey Road LIVE! Musical arsenal is a real Indian sitar and tablas.
 
At a typical Abbey Road LIVE! Show, audiences young and old can be found gleefully singing along with every word, many in utter disbelief at getting to hear this monumental music performed live; something that even the Beatles themselves never did, since they stopped touring in 1966.
 
We hope to see you when they perform at Sounds of Summer this Thursday, July 5th! The music will kick off at 6:30 pm until 8:30 pm, with food vendors and beer garden on site.

​Independence Day 2018, also known as Fourth of July, is a federal holiday observed yearly on July fourth. It is the anniversary of the publication of the declaration of independence of the United States of America from Great Britain in 1776.
 
The history of Independence Day 2018 dates back to the 18th century and the American Revolution, 1775-17783. In June 1779, representatives of the 13 colonies then fighting in the revolutionary struggle weighed a resolution that would declare independence of the United States from Great Britain. On July 2, the legal separation of the Thirteen Colonies from Great Britain occurred, when the Second Continental Congress voted to approve a resolution of independence that had been proposed by Richard Henry Lee of Virginia. Two days later its delegates adopted the Declaration of Independence, a historic document drafted by Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and Benjamin Franklin.
 
Historians have long disputed whether Congress actually signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4 and most have concluded that the Declaration was signed nearly a month after its adoption, on August 2, 1776, and not on July 4 as it is commonly believed. The holiday remains to be celebrated on the fourth of July. Coincidentally, both John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, the only signers of the Declaration of Independence later to serve as Presidents of the United States, died on the same day: July 4, 1826, which was the 50th anniversary of the Declaration.
 
Dallas will once again be celebrating the Fourth of July in a big way; Freedomfest! We invite you to join us Wednesday for a spectacular day and evening for family fun as we recognize our service men and women with a pickleball tournament, BBQ competition, beer garden, vendors, non-profit hosted games, field games, music, food trucks, bingo, and of course the first-rate fireworks show at dusk. All activities will be held at the Roger Jorden Community Park. Dallas Fire and EMS Department will light off the show from LaCreole Middle School. Citizens are encouraged to grab their chairs, blankets and family for the celebration. Come down early to pick your spot!

​Dallas is truly a unique and special community of people. Sometimes we can forget how much our little town is a gem, and it takes new comers to remind us of just how special what we have here is.
 
Almost a year ago Bruce and Claudia McGillivray began looking for a new home in Salem. They had lived in a small community, Lake Almanor in Plumas County CA, but wanted to relocate to be closer to their five grandchildren. Lake Almanor is a small, resort community with only 3 stop lights, and 5,000 people. They were convinced that they knew about friendliness.
 
The couple had very specific ideas in mind in just what they wanted from their new home; one story, with no steps, and close to the kids so they didn’t have to move again. However, they were having no luck finding that forever home in south Salem. Finally, they looked at Dallas. They found the perfect home, and moved in knowing nothing about Dallas or the surrounding area. “We were blank slates essentially.” Bruce said.
 
They were taken with our community. After joining Faith Free Church, which they love, they began to explore the area. The Aquatic Center, local bike trails, proximity to the coast, and the City Park, they were pleasantly surprised with them all. Both Bruce and Claudia feel that Dallas strives to take care of their senior citizens with discounts or free swims at the Aquatic center, something that does not happen in California according to them. That Oregon works to take care for its parks and wildlife is evident in their mind, and makes our state the beauty that it is. Bruce loves the Dallas Golf Course, and goes almost once a week. He finds that the grounds are inexpensive, well-maintained, and friendly.
 
Friendliness, is what has impressed them both. “Even going to the DMV.” They laughingly informed me that the DMV was their first stop to remove their California plates. Bruce claims that he once spent thirty minutes speaking to a woman that he didn’t know at the post office. They love how polite everyone is here, and willing to chat with complete strangers. Bruce mentioned that the Visitors Center was a great example while Claudia chuckled. “We came in for a brochure, and now are being interviewed.”
 
Dallas has not just impressed Bruce and Claudia however. When I asked what their family thought of the area they both smiled. Their parents compliment them on their choice in moving here, commenting on how clean everything is. Their grandkids often have sleepovers with Grandma and Grandpa, and love the bike trails as well.
 
“We haven’t found anything that we don’t like about Dallas.” Claudia McGillvray

​“Straight up, I should be dead,” Kurt Van Meter once cheerfully told a reporter. At 1:30 pm Friday, November 21, 2009, then police officer Van Meter responded to a call from his sergeant saying that shots had been fired in downtown Hillsboro. When the high-speed car chase through the busiest stretch of Portland’s sprawling suburb ended, Van Meter stood only a few paces from the deranged gunman.
 
“He jumped out of the Honda with the silver .50 caliber Desert Eagle in one hand and a black .45 caliber Desert Eagle in the other,” Van Meter told a reporter from Police One shortly after the incident. Van Meter remembers the man leveling one of the pistols directly at him before two officers from neighboring Cornelius opened fire and killed the gunman.
 
Van Meter’s brush with death gave way to a moment of clarity in which he decided to pursue his life-long dream and follow in the footsteps of his country music hero, Garth Brooks.
 
Van Meter can remember the moment he knew he wanted to be a singer.
 
“My brother was giving me a ride to school – I think I was a freshman or sophomore – and he put in this CD and told me that I had to hear this song,” Van Meter said. “It was ‘Friends in Low Places’ by Garth Brooks. I was instantly hooked. I was like, I don’t know what this is, but whatever it is, I want to be a part of it.”
 
But life seemed to take him in every direction but the music. Van Meter played football and became a bull rider at Oregon State University before entering the police force. There, he would sing in the office – but his coworkers didn’t seem to share in the joy.
 
“My first gig was marine patrol and they give you a partner. He told me one day, ‘Kurt have I ever told you how much I love your singing?’ I said no and he goes, ‘then shut up.’” Van Meter figured maybe he wasn’t that good of a singer, after all. The first person who told him he had a good voice was an ex-girlfriend. But music seemed to be an out-of-reach dream.
 
The shooting changed all of that and about a year later Van Meter decided to chase his dream. He hoped on Youtube and started to learn how to play the guitar. He also began attending local jam sessions in Hillsboro. The next challenge was finding a way to get his music heard. Van Meter was put in contact with Scott Mahalick and told him, “If you believe in me, I can be the next Garth Brooks.” Van Meter had no songs, no band, and nothing to offer but his voice. Despite that, Garth Brooks and Scott attempted to contact Van Meter. A missed phone call that he still cringes about.
 
Van Meter’s career took off relatively quickly and he opened for country stars like Montgomery Gentry. In 2013, he committed to music full-time and played the Bi-Mart Country Music Festival in 2014, alongside artists Eric Church and Blake Shelton. When he started, Van Meter said his songs had a couple hundred streams and downloads per month. By 2015, those numbers were up to more than 100,000.
 
As Van Meter has seen his popularity rise, he’s quick to point to his bandmates as reasons for his success. “When you have a team as strong as this one, it’s in your best interest to get the hell out of the way,” he said. “My role is to not forget the lyrics and not suck.”
 
Van Meter hopes his kids and others can see his journey and decide to follow their passion and to not be afraid of failure. “Two things are important, one is don’t wait until you’re ready to do something. If you want to do it, just go for it. I didn’t know what I was doing. Sometimes, you just gotta go for it. The second thing is you’re never too old. I was 33 when I learned how to play the guitar.”
 
Van Meter will be performing tomorrow night at Sounds of Summer kicking off the summer series. Come join us, and enjoy good music, food, and drinks. Vendors will start serving at 6 pm and the fun will begin at 6:30 pm. His CDs will be on sale both at the info booth, as well as after the concert at the Chamber of Commerce.
 
“Kurt, you are obviously doing something right. Stay with what works.” – Garth Brooks

Congratulations to Washington Street Steakhouse & Pub! We are so excited to announce that they have won in 2018 Best of the Mid-Valley Awards! However, they won not one award but NINE awards in total!
Washington Street Steakhouse won Gold in Best Dallas Bar, Best Dallas Restaurant, Best Reason to Visit Dallas, and our own Melanie Woods won Gold in Best Local Server. They also took home Silver in Best Steak and Bronze in Best Burger. But let’s not forget the faces behind these delicious meals. Barbara Witham won Best Local Server as well. Adam Hoefler was awarded Best Local Chef, as our taste buds will attest to, and Mary Hoefler won Best Local Bartender.
Washington Street Steakhouse has been a cornerstone member of our community for years. They are a restaurant that still manages to bring home that small town feeling. As shown above, they put an emphasis not only on serving great food, but serving it with delightful customer service. They also try to incorporate local businesses when possible, like serving Eola Hills wines!
If you would like a chance to indulge in some wonderful cooking, and wonderful people then they have a few events coming up for you to take advantage of. This Sunday is Mother’s Day! If cooking isn’t your strong suit then enjoy a meal with them, no reservations necessary. They will even be giving out free flowers to mom while supplies last! If your Mother’s Day plans are already made then visit them July 21st for their 19th Anniversary Luau Party. The party will last from 6am till 11pm!
One customer had this to say:
“My wife and I were looking for a lunch stop in Dallas when she saw this place as we drove by. I’m glad we stopped as this place rocks.  My wife had the turkey wrap which was huge. She said it was very good and fresh. I had the corned beef hash breakfast. I’m kind of a connoisseur when it comes to corned beef hash. This place by far makes the best CBH I have ever eaten. Not from the can here!  Let’s not forget the great homemade biscuit. Yum!  The service was great so we will be back!”