Fun Fall Activities Don’T Move Indoors When The Temperature Drops; There’S Still Too Much Going On

One of the best things about living in the Northwest is that fun activities don’t end when the warm weather does. The autumn calendar offers plenty of opportunities to use up your allotment of vacation days.

Most government agencies now have Web sites packed with enough information to provide hours of surfing pleasure. State tourism sites are good places to check out upcoming activities around the Northwest. Or you can call and ask for information on everything from hunting and fishing regulations to information on various destinations and area attractions.

The phone numbers and Web sites listed below can help get you on your way. We’ve also provided a few ideas of our own on places to visit.

Washington

Odessa will host the 28th annual Deutschesfest Sept. 18-20. Attractions will include the famous block-long Biergarten, a German bake sale, a flea market, arts and crafts, a hole-in-one tournament, a parade and a fun run. Northwest favorites, Men in the Making are scheduled to perform Sept. 20.

For more information, call (509) 982-0049.

Washington State Tourism provides free copies of the Washington State Lodging and Travel Guide and quarterly Field Guides at (800) 544-1800 or www.tourism.wa.gov.

Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife provides information on hunting, fishing and wildlife viewing at (360) 902-2200; www.wa.gov/ wdfw.

Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission offers information at (800) 233-0321; www.parks.wa.gov.

Washington Department of Transportation has maps and information on biking at (360) 705-7277; www.wsdot.wa.gov.

Washington State Department of Natural Resources has maps and brochures on 135 primitive recreation sites, call (360) 902-1234; www.wa.gov/dnr.

Washington Trail Association can provide information on trail conditions, campsites, hiking and other recreational opportunities at (206) 625-1367; www.halcyon.con/wta.

Washington State Bed and Breakfast Guild provides a list of its inspected members at (800) 647-2918; www/wbbg.com.

Idaho

Contestants from as far away as New Zealand will travel to Orofino Sept. 17-20 to participate in Lumberjack Days. Loggers compete in a variety of contests, including log-rolling, ax-throwing and horse-pulling. Also planned are two-person handsaw races and powersaw events. Other activities include a fun run, parade and breakfast.

Admission is free for spectators. Call the Orofino Chamber of Commerce at (208) 476-4335 for more information.

Idaho Travel Council provides free copies of the 1998 Idaho State Travel Guide at (800) VISIT-ID; www.visitid.org.

Idaho Department of Fish and Game answers questions on fishing and hunting, and on wildlife watching locations at (208) 334-3700; www.state.id.us/ fishgame/fishgame.html.

Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation offers a booklet on state parks, and provides information on biking and hiking trails, ORV areas, camping, boating and other recreational opportunities. (208) 334-4199; www.idoc.state.id.us/irti/ stateparks/spdir.html.

Idaho Hospitality and Travel Association at (208) 853-0193 has a list of lodges, inns and B&Bs.

Montana

The Shrine Auditorium in Billings will play host to the Antique and Collectable Extravaganza Sept. 19-20. The event will feature dealers from eight states offering everything from jewelry, glass and furniture to western items. Admission is $2 per person for two days.

Travel Montana offers free copies of the Vacation Guide and the Travel Planner at (800) VISITMT; travel.state.mt.us.

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks provides information on fishing, hunting, wildlife viewing and other recreation activities at (406) 444-2535; fwp.state.mt.us.

Montana Outfitters and Guides Association can provide a listing of its members at (406) 449-3578; www.recworld.com/ mogc/home.html.

Adventure Cycling Association offers maps and information on biking at (406) 721-1776; www.adv-cycling.org.

Montana Bed & Breakfast Association provides a directory of its members at (800) 270-7515; www.wtp.net/go/montana.

Oregon

Six stages in Medford, Ore., will be swinging Oct. 9-11 during the Medford Jazz Jubilee. Over a dozen bands are expected to perform during the three-day event, including the New Reformation Dixieland Band, Journey’s End Jazz Band, Blue Street Jazz Band, and Pieces of Eight. The event also features jazz youth concerts, a flapper costume contest and a big-band dance.

Tickets are $40 for all three days, or $15-$25 for one day. For information, call (541) 770-6972 or (800) 599-0039.

Oregon Tourism offers free copies of the 1998 Oregon Travel Guide at (800) 547-7842; www.traveloregon.com.

Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife can provide information on fishing, hunting and wildlife viewing opportunities at (503) 872-5264; www.dfw.state.or.us.

Oregon Parks and Recreation Department offers a guidebook to state parks at (800) 551-6949; www.ohwy.com/or/ o/oprd.htm.

Nature of the Northwest Information Center has information on outdoor recreation at (503) 731-4444; www.naturenw.org.

Oregon Bicycle Program offers maps and information on biking routes at (503) 986-3555. The Oregon Bed & Breakfast Guild will send a list of its inspected members at (800) 944-6196; www.obbg.com.

Border to Border Bed & Breakfast Directory provides a list of over 150 B&Bs at (800) 841-5448; www.moriah.com/inns.

British Columbia

Sandpails and shovels will be elevated to high art at the ninth annual World Championship Sand Sculpture Competition in Harrison Hot Springs. The competition begins Wednesday and the winner will be crowned on Sept. 13. Prizes totaling $15,000 are available to sculptors who craft the best works of art. The finished sculptures will remain on display until Oct. 12.

For more information, call (604) 796-3425.

Discover British Columbia offers a large selection of free information and travel guides on accommodations, golfing, camping and visitor services; (800) 663-6000; www.tbc.gov.bc.ca/ tourism/tourismhome.html.

B.C. Department of Fisheries and Oceans has information on saltwater fishing at (604) 666-2828 or (604) 666-0583. B.C. Ministry of Environment, Lands & Parks has information on freshwater fishing at (250) 387-1161; www.env.gov.bc.ca/sir/fsh/ index.html.

Guide-Outfitters Association of British Columbia can supply information on its members and their facilities at (604) 374-6836; www.oppub.com/ bcfroa/bcfroa.html.

British Columbia Parks has information of provincial parks and recreational opportunities at (604) 387-5002; www.elp.gov.bc.ca/bcparks.

British Columbia Bed & Breakfast Association has a list of facilities at (604) 276-8616.

Alberta

Garage-sale season isn’t over yet. Calgary will host the World’s Largest Garage Sale Oct. 3. Over 100 booths will fill 60,000-square-feet of space in the Big Four Building on the Stampede Grounds. The sale will run from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $2 at the door, 12 and under are free. Proceeds will benefit over 100 nonprofit organizations.

Nonprofit agencies interested in reserving a booth may call (403) 266-1601.

Alberta Tourism offers free copies of Alberta Accommodation and Visitors Guide and Alberta Campground Guide, and information guides on golfing and other visitor services at (800) 661-8888; www.discoveralberta.com.

Alberta Fish and Wildlife Services can provide information on fishing at (403) 427-3574; www.gov.ab.ca/env/fishwl.html.

Alberta Professional Outfitters Society has a list of its membership and recreational activities at (403) 414-0249; www.apos.ab.ca.

Alberta Environmental Protection Office offers information on provincial parks and recreational opportunities at (403) 944-0313; www.gov.ab.ca/ env.

Natural Provincial Parks Service provides information on public forest camping and recreation at (403) 427-7009; www.gov.ab.ca/env/parks/prov- parks/parkinfo/index.html.