Tenino Oregon Trail Days

The Tenino Area Chamber of Commerce will host the 56th Annual Oregon Trails Days at Tenino City Park July 21-23, 2023.

The festival is free to attend. It will feature: The Pioneer Village at the Depot Museum with 35 hands-on activities for families, a Parade, live entertainment, the 28th Annual Rock, Gem and Mineral Show, Food Booths, Arts and Crafts Vendors, Tenino Young-At-Heart Theatre production of The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Quilt Show, Creekside Conservancy Salmon Bake, Tenino Timberland Library Author Event and Book Sale, VFW, and American Legion Opening and Closing Flag Ceremony and presentation of Arms, South Thurston Fire and EMS Demonstrations and Dunk Tank, Yelm Amateur Radio Network Demonstration and a Community Worship Service in the Park.

The Chamber encourages visitors to check out the park's new playground equipment and 3 pump tracks. The Tenino Quarry Pool may also be open during Oregon Trail Days.

For more information and a complete schedule of events, visit this website.

Schedule

Thursday, July 20

• Tenino Young-at-Heart Theatre presents Hunchback of Notre Dame, 7 p.m., Tenino High School. Weekdays 7 p.m., Weekends 2 p.m.
  https://teninoyoungathearttheatre.org/events/ 
• Tenino Timberland Library Book Sale and Special Presentation, 5:30 p.m., Tenino Library.  Co-authors Brian Mittge and Kerry Serl, co-authors of George Washington of Centralia: How the Pioneering Son of a Slave Crossed the Continent, Founded a Town, and Saved it During its Darkest Hour, will share from the book, speak on their research practices and answer questions. Books will be available to purchase after the program.

Friday, July 21

• Tenino VFW Post 5878 Opening Flag Ceremony, 10 a.m., War Memorial. Join the Tenino VFW and American Legion at the Memorial Wall for an opening Flag Ceremony.

• Pioneer Village, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Depot Museum. More than 35 hands-on activities for children and adults to enjoy: antler jewelry, apple cider making, blacksmithing, candle making, cedar post & rail making, cedar shake making, coal mining, corn meal making, corn planting, draw aw, Northwest Dutch Oven Society cooking demonstration, garlic weaving, gold panning, log cabin notching, log cutting, making an axe handle, old fashioned toys, make paper covered wagon, pitch wood fire making, pounding railroad spikes, printing wooden money, stone craving, washing clothes with washboard, wood carving/whittling and the Cascadian group portraying life in 1800’s. Friday, July 22, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.; Saturday, July 23, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Sunday, July 24, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.

• WAMS Rock, Gem, and Mineral Show, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m., Quarry House area. Washington Agate and Mineral Society, the state’s oldest organized rock club, is hosting its 29th Annual Rock, Gem, Fossil, and Mineral Show in conjunction with Tenino's Oregon Trail Days celebration.   The show is educational and fun for all ages.  After all, who doesn't like rocks? The show is great way to introduce your kids to science through geology. Admission to the show is free and is located in the park near the pool and quarry house.  Hours of the show are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, July 21, and Saturday, July 22; and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday, July 23. Nearly 20 vendors will sell various rocks and minerals, jewelry, beads, gems, crystals, fossils, and lapidary equipment for rock cutting, polishing, etc.  The club will have its beloved spinning wheel and door prize tickets for sale.  Several demonstrators will be on-site showing how to make stone arrowheads, knives, beads, and cabochons.  There will also be demonstrations of rock polishing and sterling silver wire wrapping.  

• Food, Arts & Craft Vendors 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Food vendors include: Lone Tree Coffee, Pineapple Dole Whip, Thurston County Democrats Demo Burgers, J&L Ears and Rootbeers Elephant Ears, Funnel Cake Fries, Rootbeer Floats, Mr. & Mrs. Wonderful Kettle Corn, Cotton Candy, Riley Novelty Sales Ice Cream, Shy’z Lunch box Hamburgers, Cheese Steak, Tony’s Ynot Italian Ice. Big Foot BBQ (noon-5 p.m. Friday & Saturday). More than 40 Arts, Crafts, and Commercial Vendors will also participate. Friday, July 21st, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Saturday, July 22, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.; and Sunday, July 23, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

• Food Oregon Trails 1st Annual Rendezvous, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., near the ball fields. People are invited to participate in an encampment to include demonstrations, camping, and Traders Row portraying the primitive and Mountain Man life of the 1800’s. 

• Face painting, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m,  near the main entrance to the park. Free Face Painting by Veronica Brauer and Castle Realty

• Live Entertainment Puget Sound Energy Quarry House Stage, Noon - 5 p.m. Open Mic, if you would like to sign up to perform this day, contact George Sharp, Oregon Trail Days coordinator, at 360-878-3835. First performer with be Bill Lenker playing solo acoustic guitar, with some banjo and resonator mixed in.

• South Thurston Fire and EMS Information Booth, Noon - 4 p.m. Learn information about South Thurston Fire and EMS operations.

• Tenino Young-at-Heart Theatre presents Hunchback of Notre Dame, 7 p.m., Tenino High School. Weekdays 7 p.m., Weekends 2 p.m.
  https://teninoyoungathearttheatre.org/events/ 

• Tenino Eagles Oregon Trail Days - Dinner & Bands - Open to the Public. Friday, July 21 and Saturday July 22. Steel Horses Band playing both nights. Friday night is Burger Night and Saturday is Brisket Dinner.

• Tenino Music Festival, 5 p.m. - 11:30 p.m., Tenino City Park. Headliner – Danny Vernon The Illusion of Elvis, opening acts include The Six, and Dogger, 90s-themed After Party hosted by DJ Wes

Saturday, July 22

• Pioneer Village, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Depot Museum. Experience more than 35 Hands-On Activities for children and adults.
• Food, Arts & Craft Vendors, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., coordinated by the Tenino Community Service Center Food Bank Plus.
• WAMS Rock, Gem, and Mineral Show, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m., Quarry House area. Washington Agate and Mineral Society, the state’s oldest organized rock club, is hosting its 29th Annual Rock, Gem, Fossil, and Mineral Show in conjunction with Tenino's Oregon Trail Days celebration.   The show is educational and fun for all ages.  After all, who doesn't like rocks? The show is great way to introduce your kids to science through geology. Admission to the show is free and is located in the park near the pool and quarry house.  Hours of the show are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, July 21, and Saturday, July 22; and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday, July 23. Nearly 20 vendors will sell various rocks and minerals, jewelry, beads, gems, crystals, fossils, and lapidary equipment for rock cutting, polishing, etc.  The club will have its beloved spinning wheel and door prize tickets for sale.  Several demonstrators will be on-site showing how to make stone arrowheads, knives, beads, and cabochons.  There will also be demonstrations of rock polishing and sterling silver wire wrapping.
• Food Oregon Trails 1st Annual Rendezvous, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., near the ball fields. People are invited to participate in an encampment to include demonstrations, camping, and Traders Row portraying the primitive and Mountain Man life of the 1800’s. 
• Oregon Trail Days Quilt Show coordinated by Briar Cottage Quilt Fabrics and Notions, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Lions Pavilion near the Quarry House. Wanted Quilts for Display. You can take your Quilt to Briar Quilt Fabrics in advance or bring on Saturday morning. Prize drawings for participants. People Choice Awards. For more information call 360-264-5759
• Parade, 10:45 a.m., Sussex Avenue. Coordinated by the Tenino Lions Club and led by the Tenino Motorcycle Drill Team. The Parade is one of the many highlights of Tenino's Oregon Trail Days and includes the Grand Marshal, Citizen of the Year, Honorary Citizens of the Year, 56th Army Band from JBLM, Dignitaries, Royalty from other Festivals, High School Bands, Floats, Horses and cool cars. The parade announcers are Eric Schwartz Editor-in-Chief the Chronicle and Nisqually Valley news, Aaron VanTuyl Associate Editor. They are host to the News Dump Podcast.
• Creekside Conservancy Traditional Salmon Bake, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., in front of the Quarry House. Enjoy delicious Salmon and sides prepared by the Chehalis Tribe and Lucky Eagle Casino. $15 per person/ Flavored Sparkling water available for purchase. Proceeds go to support the Creekside Conservancy efforts to provide safe and healthy habitat for flora and fauna.
• Live Entertainment Puget Sound Energy Quarry House Stage, Noon - 5 p.m.

  Noon-2:30 p.m. Guava Jam, An acoustic music group specializing in Hawaiian and 70’s music.

  3 - 5 p.m. Off Boulevard, Close harmony is the trademark of Off Boulevard's vocal style. Swing and jazz standards from the 30's, 40's and 50's.

• South Thurston Fire and EMS Wildland Hands on Demonstration and Dunk Tank, 1 p.m. - 6 p.m. Display of tools used to fight Wildland Brush Fires, Wildland hoses and Wooden Fire Targets set up for children to experience.

• Tenino Young-at-Heart Theatre presents Hunchback of Notre Dame, 7 p.m., Tenino High School. Weekdays 7 p.m., Weekends 2 p.m.
  https://teninoyoungathearttheatre.org/events/

• Tenino Farmer’s Market, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Olympia Street. Blue Ribbon Pie Contest Day 1 p.m.

• Yelm Amateur Radio Network of South East Thurston County Demonstration and Display, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Learn about the emergency communication network serving our area.

• Tenino Eagles Oregon Trail Days - Dinner & Bands. Open to the Public, Friday July 21 and Saturday July 22. Steel Horses Band playing both nights. Friday night is Burger Night and Saturday is Brisket dinner.

• Tenino Music Festival, 5 p.m. - 11:30 p.m., Tenino City Park. Headliners by Olson Bros Band. Opening acts include: Luke and Kaylee, Kyle Murdock and Nikko.

Sunday, July 23

• Community Worship Service in the Park, 10:30 a.m., Quarry House Stage. Led by the First Presbyterian Church of Tenino.
• Pioneer Village, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m., Depot Museum. More than 35 Hands-on Activities for children and adults to enjoy.
• Food, Arts & Craft Vendors, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., coordinated by the Tenino Community Service Center Food Bank Plus
• WAMS Rock, Gem, and Mineral Show, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m., Quarry House area.
• Oregon Trails 1st Annual Rendezvous near the ball fields 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. People are invited to participate in an encampment to include demonstrations, camping, and Traders Row portraying the primitive and Mountain Man life of the 1800’s.
• Live Entertainment Puget Sound Energy, Quarry House Stage.
  
  Noon - 1:30 p.m. Ellen Buzzard: I’m Ellie, I’m a small town singer/songwriter indie folk artist! I love performing around any chance I get and I’m currently working on my first album release! My dream is to get my original music out to the world and make a name as an independent artist.
  
  1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Michael Burdman, I play guitar, harmonica, piano, mandolin, ukulele, alto sax, potato shaker and jingle bells. Solo acoustic (Oldies, Rock n' Roll, Classic Rock, Folk, and Original).
• South Thurston Fire and EMS Demonstration, Noon-4 p.m. Demonstration of the proper use of Fire Extinguishers to put out Stove fires. Display of tools used to fight Wildland Brush Fires, Wildland hoses and Wooden Fire Targets set up for children to experience.
• Tenino Young-at-Heart Theatre presents Hunchback of Notre Dame, 7 p.m., Tenino High School. Weekdays 7 p.m., Weekends 2 p.m.
  https://teninoyoungathearttheatre.org/events/
• Tenino VFW Post 5878 Closing Flag Ceremony, 10 a.m., War Memorial