Fifth Annual Hood River Hard-Pressed Cider Fest Returns on April 21, 2018

Hood River, Ore. – March 8, 2018 – Hood River Hard-Pressed Cider Fest, presented by Pacific Northwest Federal Credit Union and produced by the Hood River County Chamber of Commerce, is returning on Saturday, April 21, 2018, with more than 25 local and regional cideries, including six that are new to the festival. The participating cideries will be sampling more than 50 original ciders that showcase the wide variety of styles coming out of the Pacific Northwest’s cider scene.

Two of this year’s new participants are Hood River institutions introducing new beverages to their lineups. Hood River’s original brewery, Full Sail Brewing, is launching KYLA Hard Kombucha – a new take on the popular fermented probiotic drink, with an alcohol content of 4.5 percent. Hood River County Fruit Loop favorite Draper Girls Family Farm will be sampling its new hard cider line, Draper Girls Cider Company, which uses its homegrown apples, pears, cherries, peaches and plums.

“There’s no better place for getting a taste of the local cider scene than the Hood River Hard-Pressed Cider Fest,” said Mike Glover, president/CEO of the Hood River County Chamber of Commerce. “You can feel the excitement of the cideries, who are often introducing new brews for 2018. There’s truly something for every palate, and we know people will discover a new favorite style or cidery when they come to the festival. And our setting – surrounded by fruit orchards in bloom – is unparalleled.”

Festival-goers will be able to sample food from local restaurants, including Parkdale’s Apple Valley BBQ, Hood River’s Solstice Wood Fire Café and Portland’s Boke Bowl. The daylong event also features a lineup of live musicians playing everything from upbeat Americana to down-home country, as well as a kid’s activity area. Spring showers aren’t a problem, as the tasting takes place in a covered hall and tents.

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/.

Cider lovers who want to delve more deeply into the local cider scene can follow this suggested three-day itinerary.

“Hood River is the perfect hub for exploring the Gorge’s cider scene, plus welcoming spring and all the natural beauty and outdoor activities the season brings with it,” added Glover.

2018 Participating Cideries 
*New for 2018
12 Bridge Ciderworks* – Oregon City, Ore.
2 Towns Ciderhouse – Corvallis, Ore.
Anthem Cider/Wandering Aengus – Salem, Ore.
ATLAS Cider Company – Bend, Ore.
Bandon Rain* – Bandon, Ore.
Bauman’s Cider Company – Gervais, Ore.
Carlton Cyderworks* – McMinnville, Ore.
Crush Cider Cafe – Hood River, Ore.
Double Mountain Brewery & Taproom – Hood River, Ore.
Draper Girls Cider Company* – Parkdale, Ore.
Fox-Tail Cider – Hood River, Ore.
Golden Row Cider/Mt. View Orchards* – Mt. Hood, Ore.
Jester & Judge – Stevenson, Wash.
KYLA Hard Kombucha* – Hood River, Ore.
La Familia Cider Company – Salem, Ore.
Legend Cider Company – The Dalles, Ore.
Pear UP – Wenatchee, Wash.
Portland Cider Company – Portland, Ore.
Rack & Cloth – Mosier, Ore.
Red Tank Cider – Bend, Ore.
Runcible Cider – Mosier, Ore.
Schilling Cider – Portland, Ore.
Slopeswell Cider Co. – Hood River, Ore.
The Gorge White House – Hood River, Ore.
Tumalo Cider Co. – Bend, Ore.
Woodbox Cider – Portland, Ore.

Hood River Hard–Pressed Cider Fest Event Details

• When:Saturday, April 21, 2018
• Where:3315 Stadelman Drive, Hood River, OR
• Hours:Noon-7 p.m.
• Tickets:
  $20 – Full event pass (day-of purchase on site). Includes entry into Cider Fest, five taste tokens and commemorative glass.
  $15 – Presale event pass (online purchase). Includes entry into Cider Fest, five 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:org/cider-fest/

Entertainment Lineup

• Noon-12:45 p.m.–JoAnna Lee Sousa
• 1-2 p.m.–Laryssa Birdseye
• 2:30-3:30 p.m.–Oakenfir
• 4-5 p.m.–Tony Smiley
• 5:30-7 p.m.–Green Neck Daredevils

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 and tourism development in Hood River, Cascade Locks, Mosier, Odell, Parkdale, Pine Grove and Mount Hood. hoodriver.org