Fern Ridge Oregon.  A recreational area with great sailing, wineries and artisans.  We are 'Slightly off the Path', worth the drive!

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Places for more Information:

Convention and Visitors Association of Lane County Oregon
www.VisitLaneCounty.org
(800) 547-5445

Fern Ridge Chamber of Commerce
www.fernridgechamber.com
24949 Hwy 126
Veneta, OR 97487
(541) 935-8443

Lane County Parks & Recreation
http://www.co.lane.or.us/parks/richard.htm
541 935-2005

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Places to Visit:

Fern Ridge Reservoir

Our reservoir has many features which include: camping, swimming,
water-skiing, world class sailing, and an abundance of wildlife to
observe. In addition, fishing for crappie, cutthroat trout, largemouth
black bass, and catfish is excellent in early spring. This lake was
formed when the Long Tom River was dammed in 1941. Its southeast shore
was designated a wildlife refuge in 1979. The reservoir is located 10
miles west of Eugene on W. 11th Ave. (Hwy 126) or north of Eugene on
Hwy 99W to Clear Lake Road. Marinas on the south or north shores are
especially coveted by those who sail and windsurf.

The lake is drained in winter to allow for flood control, but the
resulting marsh (and wildlife refuge) hosts tree frogs, newts, ospreys,
rare purple martins (in spring), black-tailed deer, red foxes, beavers,
muskrats, minks, pond turtles, and great blue herons. There are 250
bird species to be observed including tundra swans, northern harriers,
Canadian geese, mergansers, and peregrine falcons. Perhaps the most
eye-catching are the egrets because of their white plumage and large
size.

The wildlife area is closed to the public Jan. 1-March 15 for the protection of wintering birds.

Willamette Valley Wineries
Just
a short drive to the west, north or south brings you to some of Lane
County's better known wineries including LaVelle Vineyards, Hinman
Vineyards/Silvan Ridge, King Estate and Chateau Lorane just to name a
few. Check out the Wineries of Lane County website for more information.

http://www.wineriesoflanecounty.com/

Pioneer Museum
7th & Broadway
Veneta, Oregon 97487
(541) 935-1836

Applegate Trail - Mile post 50

1996 marked the 150th anniversary (trail blazed in 1846) of the Applegate Trail. Known as the southern route of the Oregon Trail, the Applegate Trail provided an alternative for settlers who wanted to avoid the perils of the Columbia River. Today, Interstate 5 and Highway 99 travel the same route. The Applegate was designated a National Historic Trail by the US Congress on August 3, 1992.

City of Veneta - http://www.ci.veneta.or.us/
88184 Eighth Street
PO Box 458
Veneta, OR 97487
(541) 935-2191

Incorporated in 1962, the City of Veneta is a thriving community of over 4800
people. This area was established by the extension of valley settlement. It now
serves as a gateway to the Coast Range, wineries, farmlands, and Fern
Ridge Lake.  The City of Veneta is located 12 miles west of the Eugene/Springfield
Metropolitan Area, in the southwest corner of the beautiful Willamette Valley
in Lane County, Oregon. Veneta is located in close proximity to the Fern Ridge
reservoir, and is only 45 miles from the Pacific Ocean and 90 miles from the
scenic Cascade Mountains.

Each July, the eclectic Oregon County Fair, a genuine original celebration of the music, crafts, and atmosphere of the counter-culture is held here - www.oregoncountryfair.com

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Annual Events:

Wings and Wine Festival
Saturday, Mother's Day Weekend
• Birding Walks • Canoe Trips • Live Raptors •
• Educational Speakers • Slide Show •
• Wine Tasting • Children's Activities • Crafts •
• Nursery Stock • Tour 3 Wineries with Birding •

http://www.wingsandwinefestival.com/

Barrel Tours
Saturdays in June
Join the Wineries of Lane County in 2010 on June 12th, 19th and 26th for The Wineries of Lane
County 8th Annual Barrel Tour. Each day a deluxe charter bus will tour
4 wineries, each having appetizers paired with three wine selections. 

http://www.wineriesoflanecounty.com/

Holiday Bazaar
Friday and Saturday before Thanksgiving
Each year the weekend before Thanksgiving the Fern Ridge Area is populated by 20-30 holiday bazaars.  Locations include churches, schools, art galleries, business, and more.  Maps are distributed in regional papers.