Contributing writer for The Canyon Weekly
Scio hosts the annual Bridges, Bikes and Brews festival, featuring a covered-bridge biking event, guided van tours, live music, food trucks, local breweries and more!
The family-friendly event is sponsored by the Scio Event Center Organization to raise funds for new fairgrounds and event center to be built in or near Scio. It takes place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. tomorrow, Sept. 10, at the Linn County Lamb & Wool Festival fairgrounds.
“The Scio Fairgrounds and Event Center Board wanted to find a way to celebrate the covered bridges and cultural heritage of the Thomas Creek Watershed and the Scio area and at the same time raise money to acquire and develop a site for an event center which could host agricultural and other activities year-round,” said Greg Schneider, an event organizer.
“Despite pouring rain, the first we had received in months for which we were grateful, several hundred people turned out to enjoy the fun, food and festivities last year,” Schneider said. “Only a dozen or so braved the down pour to ride bicycles around the covered bridge route but many more came to enjoy chicken provided by the FFA and listen to the band.”
This year’s festivities kick off with a 9 a.m. check-in for the biking event, which ends at 4 p.m. Riders can begin once checked in. The bicycle tour offers 22 miles of scenic country landscape, an elevation climb of 200 feet, and visits three of Scio’s historic covered bridges. First aid, water stations and support along the routes will be available to riders.
“The first 100 riders will get a free gift,” Schneider said. “Additionally, there will be free guided van tours. Seating is limited so get your ticket at the information booth as soon as you can.”
The van tour, hosted by Best Oregon Tours, will depart and end across the street from the fairgrounds. Riding in air-conditioned 14-person vans, participants will visit four historic bridges. Tours are free and last about one and a half hours.
When finished with biking and/or van tours, visit the many vendors and listen to music at your leisure. Live music will be provided by the Rock and Roll Cowboys and a DJ. The beer garden opens at 11 a.m. and features beverages from the Growler Café in Lebanon.
Vendors include the Friends of the Library book sale, Scio FFA Chicken and Mexican Street Corn, Bo Peeps’ burgers and more, The Dawg House with specialty dogs and melts, and Scio Saturday market vendors peddling clothing and crafts.
According to Schneider, new this year is a motorcycle poker run with cash prizes, a cornhole tournament with cash prizes, a silent auction with lots of items to bid on, and tours of the Scio Historical Museum. Register and visit all five area covered bridges and become eligible to win prize money!
“We are expecting a sunny, hopefully dry beautiful day to celebrate some end of summer fun and support a good cause all at the same time,” Schneider said.
Sponsors are Katrina Clouse Realty Group, Zurfluh Mfg. & Repair, Blue Haul, Epic Flower, Snap-on, KSHO, The Action Stream, KGAL, Best Oregon Tours, Scio Hardware, Growler Café and A-1 Garage Door and Gutter.
Volunteers are always needed. To help, message [email protected] or call 503-915-7811. For more information go to https://scioevents.com/bridges-bikes-and-brews.
