We are giving away a pair of tickets to First Taste Oregon on Saturday, January 26, 2013 at the Oregon State Fairgrounds in Salem. To win, comment on this post why you’d like to attend. Winner will be drawn and emailed Friday, January 25.
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From our sponsors:
First Taste Oregon
Friday, January 25 @ 4 – 10 p.m.
Saturday, January 26 @ Noon – 10 p.m.
$10 general admission | $8 senior 60+ | $30 VIP
More Info: www.firsttasteoregon.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/FirstTasteOregon
Mobile App: FTO2013.com
Oregon State Fairgrounds
2330 17th St NE Salem, OR 97303
(503) 947-3247
First Taste Oregon, a Festival celebrating the first taste of the new year comes to Columbia Hall at the Oregon State Fairgrounds in Salem the 25th and 26th of this month. ‘First Taste’ is the new name for what has been known as the Oregon Wine and Food Festival which started 30 years ago in the same location.
There are over 130 vendors in the Festival featuring Oregon wine, craft brews, culinary, distilled spirits, Northwest artists and art and live music over the two day run. Along with tastings, samplings and various food products there are also full meals from 6 Oregon caterers and area restaurants. There is also a full schedule of entertainment and educational things to do and see including mixology and chef demonstrations.
The entire list of vendors, chef and mixology demonstrations and music schedule are on line at www.firsttasteoregon.com. Admission to the Festival is $10 for general admission, $8 for seniors over 60, or $30 for a VIP admission that is good for both days admission, a free event glass and complimentary tastes from various vendors in the event. There is also a VIP lounge area with snacks and samples. Parking is free courtesy of Les Schwab Tires.
This is the first year distilled spirits have been able to offer tastes and sell hard alcohol in a festival environment. “The small distillers in Oregon have really embraced this Festival with the new laws that allow them to present their products just like wineries and breweries have been able to do for years”, said Scott Ingalls, one of the owners and producers of the Festival. “I think this is a great addition and opportunity for people that want to sample the whiskeys, vodkas and gins that Oregon is producing”, Ingalls said. Attendees can purchase samples of wines, beers and distilled spirits as well as buy those products by the bottle to take home and enjoy. There are also a number of culinary booths with spices, chocolates, jellies, jerky, oils & vinegars, cheeses and more to be sampled. First Taste also features several Oregon artists and their art as well as a variety of lifestyle products for the home throughout the show.
Entertainment during the two days includes mixology demonstrations from Eastside and Big Bottom Distilleries, Chef demonstrations featuring Chef Leif Eric Benson who is a four time Chef of the Year winner and Chef JD Thomas who is the Culinary Director of the NW Culinary Institute. Friday evening starting at 8 the band ‘Carried Away’ featuring Carrie Cunningham will be playing blues, rock and a little country music. Saturday evening the Salsa band Son Moleo will be playing on the main stage. During the day there is a piano bar in between the demonstrations on the Chef Demo Stage.
First Taste Oregon will benefit three non-profit organizations this year including the Salem Exchange Club Youth Programs, Altrusa of Salem and Albany and Oregon Horse Country.
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Pick me! I’d love to attend!
Yummmm – love the flavors on the great NW!!!
First timer at first taste…sounds great to me:)
This is another great reason to love PDX & the Pipeline! I completed bartender training in December and have my OLCC permit but have yet to make any connections that will get me where I want to be – besides CONSUMING alcohol. I would so love to attend! xoxo
I would so enjoy a day out… it’s been a long year :)
Would love to attend. Great place to find and taste wine from new wineries.
Would love to win. Wife & I haven’t been out w/o kids for 5 years!
Pick me, pick me!!!!!!!! Pretty pleassssseeeeeee!!!!!!! I adore all things wine <3
I love wine. It makes me happy. Matter of fact, I don’t think that there is a day when a glass of wine does not end up in my hand. Usually I have my lovely boyfriend to thank for this. For some reason when I walk in the door and begin to talk about my day he finds it necessary to stop me and say, “I think you need a glass of wine.” Now, I don’t stop him – no, I love wine and after working all day trying to get 10th graders to love books, reading and writing as much as me can leave me tired and frustrated. I think a whole day of tasting wine is just what the doctor ordered. Think of how happy I will be when I return to work!? Is this reason enough to want to attend? I think so.
Yum pick me please!
Great timing I’m in Salem this weekend visiting friends!!! This sounds fun!
I just moved out to the Portland area, and would LOVE an opportunity to get out and go wine tasting! Between work, kids, and school, my appreciation for all things wine has grown tremendously. This would be a blessing to have an excuse to get out and enjoy myself. Not to mention a lovely 3 weeks belated birthday outing!
I just moved to the area from VA on sunday, I know noone and have no job. This would be a great way to to throw myself in the culture…
Sound like a blast!
Howdy. Tastings? First tastes, for that matter? Awesome. Simply awesome.
May the odds be ever in my favor!
I’m a single mom and Ive been working really hard to support my son and I. I would love a night out with my friends to relax and have a night for me. My life revolves around my son, I just need a few hours for me.
I’d love to go
Who wouldn’t want a fun day out!
We drink….we eat….we listen to music…..
Ooh, pick me, pick me! I love wine and am always looking to discover new ones :) The husband would have a great time with the brews, too!
I would love to go. Thanks!!
I’m brave enough to take the first taste
Sounds like a great event!
What an exciting event. Sure would be great to win free tickets.
This would be fun!
Food and drink get into my mouth!
This event would be so awesome – I’m new to Oregon and would love to get a chance to sample all these breweries/distilleries/wineries offerings and get to know the local taste!
because i never win tickets!
pick me pick me!
Wine not?!
sounds too good to be true!! it would be awesome to get a ticket!!
sounds tasty. let’s go!
My husband would faint!
In my last year of grad school… thousands upon thousands of dollars in debt but will be doing what I love, and helping out the world at the same time :) I could use a beer (or three)!
You gotta love the combination of great eats and drinks combined w/being at the state fairgrounds!
i love wine. so this sounds great. please pick me. i love experiencing all the northwest has to offer.
WOW! We LIVE in Salem and it’s so refreshing to see that something so AWESOME is going to be in our neck of the woods! We usually travel to Portland, but would love to win tickets and also invite a bunch of other friends from here that love the whole food and wine life! PDX Pipeline, YOU GUYS ROCK!!!
I cannot think of a sweeter way to spend a weekend.. Pinkys up!!
This sounds really great, pick me!
Pick me because i can lick my own elbow!
First taste of 130 different Oregon vendors…Yes please.
My husband and I totally are bummed about our tax return…or lack thereof…a weekend of booze would really turn the mood around. :)
I’d like to attend because my boyfriend is an IT geek and I recently had a major surgery. I need to celebrate and he needs to get out of the house! Also we love food and spirits with a passion! I always write nice, long responses and never get picked. Please let this time be different!
Born and raised Oregonian, show me some Oregon love!
Be looking for a place to sample some local favors
I need a night out with the hubby!!
I love PDXpipeline!
I always love taste of a city event. So many things to try and enjoy around here! Plus it’s my birthday so I’d love to win!
My friends are going I would to join them!! such a great event
I would love to go! Hubby and I have been bummed out lately with medical problems and need a day off!
This would make a great girls day out event!!!
Just moved here and would like to experience the taste of Oregon.
Please let me win this so I can do something nice for my girlfriend.
Yesterday was my 25th birthday! I’ve lived in the Portland area for nearly 6 years and feel like I’ve never really gotten a chance to get the full “flavor” of things here, yet, due to always working/going to school and lack of knowledge when it comes to the when and where’s of the city.
Also, I’m getting married here, next year! I love Portland, and everything it has to offer, despite my lack of experiences in that area. ^_^
I haven’t been to this event and would love to attend.
I would love to go!