Pendleton Woolen Mill to celebrate centennial

Free concerts, along with a “Kids & Kritters” parade and equestrian demonstrations, will be among the highlights of a celebration of the Pendleton Woolen Mills’ 100 years in Washougal.

The historic occasion will be commemorated by Pendleton, the Two Rivers Heritage Museum and the City of Washougal.

The festivities will kick off Friday, at 10 a.m., at the Pendleton Mill, Two Pendleton Way. Presentations and remarks will be made by Charlie Bishop, vice president of mill operations, as well as Washougal Mayor Sean Guard.

The historic Pendleton bell — dating to 1863, at the mill in Brownsville, Ore. — will be wrung, and cake will be served after the ceremony. Complimentary tours of the Pendleton Woolen Mills will be available Friday, at 9 a.m., 10 a.m., 11 a.m., and 1:30 p.m.

The 300,000-square foot mill was originally called the Union Woolen Mills in 1912.

The Washougal mill is the company’s second.

“Our first mill in Pendleton, Oregon still weaves our iconic Indian jacquard patterns, but the addition of the Washougal mill provided the ability to add a wider variety of fabrics,” Bishop said.

The mill weaves wools, from its Sir Pendleton fabric to Umatilla fabric for men’s shirts, as well as lightweight suit fabrics for women’s apparel. Most of the company’s menswear and women’s wear fabrics are woven in the Washougal Mill. Blankets are woven in both mills and finished in Washougal.

Bishop represents the fifth generation of the family-owned and operated business.

“Few major U.S. manufacturers weave their own fabric in America,” he said. “Because we oversee every aspect of the process — including buying the wool — we can stand confidently behind our ‘Warranted to Be’ promise of quality, a standard that is unmatched in the industry.”

The celebration of the Pendleton centennial will continue with a community dance Friday, from 6 to 11 p.m., in Reflection Plaza, 1701 Main St. Admission will be free.

The main plaza will be open for families to enjoy the country western music of Carrie Cunningham & the Six Shooters and rock and roll by the King Brothers (& Larry!).

A beer garden will open at 5 p.m., for those 21 and older, at a cost of $3 per person. Options will include beer from Amnesia Brewing and Rail Side Brewing.

Coolers will not be allowed in the plaza, but beverages for all ages will be available at local restaurants.

Festivities will continue Saturday

A “Kids & Kritters” parade will begin at 10 a.m., from the Pendleton softball fields, at 21st and “A” streets, to Main Street and Pendleton Way. The parade is for all children — whether walking, on a bike, trike or in a wagon, and for “kritters” of any kind, with leashes or restraints required.

Registration for the parade will start at 9:30 a.m., in the parking lot on the east side of Pendleton, and there will be gift bags for the first 100 children who show up.

Vendor booths with arts and crafts will be open Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., in the main Pendleton parking lot.

The Two Rivers Heritage Museum Ice Cream Social and Heritage Day will be held Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free tours of the museum and demonstrations by blacksmiths and steam engines will be held throughout the day.

Hot dogs, lemonade, root beer floats and ice cream sundaes will be available to purchase at the museum. There will also be a raffle for a blanket donated by Pendleton. Tickets are $1 each, or six for $5.

John Baker will provide musical entertainment from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., on the patio at HEARTH Wood Oven Bistro, 1700 Main St., courtesy of Lone Wolf Development, owner of Washougal Town Square.

Equestrian demonstrations will be offered at 1 p.m., in the field behind the Pendleton store. Seating and an announcer will be provided, and the demonstrations will include a “Parade of Flags” and the singing of the National Anthem.

Carrie Cunningham & the Six Shooters and the King Brothers (& Larry!) will return to Reflection Plaza Saturday, from 6 to 11 p.m. The beer garden will open at 5 p.m.

The events are sponsored by Pendleton Woolen Mills, Waste Connections and Columbia Resource Company, Riverview Savings Bank, Comcast, LaCamas Community Credit Union, Lone Wolf Development, Camas Lions Club and the City of Washougal.