Willamette Centennial

The bats will swing and the balls will fly this July when “Old Fashion Base Ball” (base ball was two words back then) comes back to Willamette Park in West Linn. As a part of the centennial celebration of the Town of Willamette, an exhibition base ball game will take place at Willamette Park on Sunday July 13, 2008 at 2pm.

The Willamette Centennial Committee has challenged the vintage Pioneers Base Ball Club from Vancouver, WA to an “old fashion-style” base ball game. Following the rules established by the 1860 “Beadle’s Dime Base-Ball Player” and wearing authentic early base ball uniforms, the two teams will play ball just as it was played over hundred years ago.

The Willamette area has a long history of base ball. In fact, some of the very first base ball games played in Oregon were held not far from the Willamette area. West Linn was even home to one early team called the “Willamettes”. This is the name that our historic team will wear.

Spectators are encouraged to bring blankets to sit on and dress in period attire to best enjoy this commemorative event.

Street Dance Coming to Willamette !

Arbor Day Centennial Celebration

Willamette Centennial held its first scheduled community event on April 12, 2008. In honor of Arbor Day, a Centennial Oak Tree was planted in Willamette Park. Community members, neighbors and City officials were on hand for the celebration. Photos and the remarks from Mayor Norm King are available by clicking here.

Headlines

Get your Willamette Centennial T-shirts now! Available in adult and child sizes at the Willamette Merchant booth during the Farmer's Market. These limited number of white T-shirts with the professionally silk-screened, “Autumn” inspired adaptation of the Willamette Centennial T-Shirt will sell fast. These sale of these shirt will directly support the Centennial events and activities planned throughout the year. The shirts are also available at Lavender Bleu in Willamette. Other locations will be announced. T-shirts cost $12 for adults and $10 for kids sizes. See you at the Market!

Centennial T-shirts now available

Autumn Inspired Centennial Logo

The streets of Willamette will be filled with music, as a real old fashion street dance and ice cream social invades the old town Willamette area of West Linn on July 12, 2008. Everyone is welcome to join in the celebration starting at 4:00pm and continuing into the late night. Live bands will entertain visitors with hits from the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s. Attendees are encouraged to wear fun dance clothes from their favorite time period, so dust off those Poodle Skirts.

Please note that Willamette Falls Drive will be closed and traffic will be diverted on 8th Avenue and 6th Avenue around the road closure.

Please click here for more details.

Flags Wave Over Willamette

On Flag Day, June 14, 2008, fifty United States flags lined the streets in front of the Willamette business district. The flags, made possible from paver sales by the Willamette Centennial Committee, and poles, donated by Parr Lumber, West Linn, will become a regular feature along Willamette Falls drive for every major holiday.