Heppner does St. Paddy's

Hmmm. It's been a few years since I've made it to Heppner, Oregon. But I see that they're now billing the town as The Irish Capital of Oregon. Which means, of course, that they're going all out for St. Patrick's Day. Events kick off tonight with "Emigration to Happiness - 7:30PM, St. Patrick’s Catholic Parish Hall, 560 NW Jones. Get in the Irish Mood with this original play written by Father Condon with original music by Joe Lindsay."

Well, I'll be. Father Thomas Condon's a major historical figure in this part of the world, but I didn't know that play writing was amongst his many accomplishments. (Or at least I assume that the Father Condon to which they refer is the famous minister/scientist for whom the Paleontology Center at the John Day Fossil Beds is named.) More on Condon here, from the Oregon Cultural Heritage Commission.

For that matter, since this is the 25th annual A Wee Bit O’Ireland festival in Heppner, perhaps it has long been The Irish Capital of Oregon, and that fact just hadn't sunk in with me. It's amazing what a person can fail to know about their own general region of the world...

The four day festival features Friends of the Library book sales (to put my own weakness first), music, arts and crafts, lots of events involving eating, motorcross, sheep dog trials, a bowling tournament, something called road bowling, a teen dance, a Saturday into Sunday "WEE HOURS O’THE MORNIN’ BREAKFAST – 10 PM-3 AM" hosted by the Heppner Volunteer Fire Department (not all small towns roll up the sidewalks early, apparently), a Cruz-In (old cars), more. Lots more. It sounds like fun. (She says, tentatively pencilling in next year's event...)

A few years back we made a day trip just to visit the town of Heppner and see what it was like. We enjoyed our visit very much. The people were friendly, and our inexpensive lunch at an unpretentious little eatery was quite good and the locals adopted us for the duration, including us in conversation. It's one of those towns we have on our would-like-to-revisit-someday list, and I could see it going onto a maybe-it-wouldn't-be-a-bad-place-to-live-or-retire-to list. It is off the beaten path, but it's close to larger towns - for that matter, it's not too far from actual cities. Like I said, I haven't been there in a while, but if it's anything like it was back then in spirit, I don't mind giving it a plug as a place to visit or relocate.

hat tip: U.S. Congressman Greg Walden's online newsletter