Northwest Cherry Festival
Click on the image above for all the FUN Details
WINNERS
will be announced 5/5/2026
Sponsored by: Explore The Dalles
Click HERE for the OFFICIAL 2026 NW Cherry Festival Guide!!!
Sponsored by: Google
🍒 Window Decorating Contest Winners 🍒
Sponsored by:
Center Market
1st Place
Makayla's Boutique
300 East 4th Street
The Dalles OR
2nd Place
Prints Charming Repair
312 East 2nd Street
The Dalles OR
3rd Place
Artisan Market
201 East 2nd Street
The Dalles OR
🍒Little Royals 🍒
Sponsored by:
Rivermark Community Credit Union
Brynlee
"Hello, my name is Brynlee. I am 4yrs old."
Brynlee is unique and smart, She's full of energy and sass. She enjoys helping others and she is interested in music, dancing, art. Her favorite foods is rice, homemade salsa and CANDY. She loves her dogs and cats... especially chickens.
She enjoys playing with siblings and cousins. Brynlee enjoys being outside and going on adventures.
"I love my family and friends. Most of all, I love my papa and grammy."
Dominic
Meet Dominic, a 6-year-old born and raised in The Dalles with a big heart, a contagious belly laugh, and big dreams to match.
When he grows up, he wants to be an FBI agent and an artist, and honestly, knowing Dominic, he'll find a way to do both. He is one of the kindest, most thoughtful kids around, always showing up as a great friend and the best middle brother.
He's equal parts sweet and silly, and the kind of kid who lights up every room he walks into.
🍒 Parade Winners 🍒
Sponsored by:
McDonalds of the Gorge
Walking
1 - Torito de petate
2 - Project Happy Face
3 - TD Middle/High School Marching Band
Floats
1 - The Dalles Kiwanis Club
2 - Chenowith Elementary Dual Language
3 - One Community Health
Equine
1 - NW Pro Rodeo Association
2 - Cascade Icelandic Horse Club
3 - Arlington Saddle Club
Mayor's Choice
🍒TD Middle/High School Marching Band
Most Cherry Spirit
🍒Bishop Sanitation
Chamber's Choice
🍒She Fire
THANK YOU to our Title Sponsor
Tonkin of the Gorge Subaru
We are so excited, and we hope you will join us!
Keep watching this site for updates and Cherry Fun things to do!
Thank you to our Sweetheart Sponsors ... we couldn't do it without each of YOU!!!!
Thank you to our BING Sponsors!!!
🍒🌟🍒🌟🍒🌟🍒🌟🍒🌟🍒🌟🍒
45th Annual Northwest Cherry Festival
🍒 The GREAT Cherry Adventure
45th Annual Northwest Cherry Festival
April 24 - 26, 2026
🌟
Month-Long Celebration: April 1–30
Presented by Title Sponsor: Tonkin of the Gorge Subaru
🍒 Cherry Festival is Happening! 🍒
Join us for The GREAT Cherry Adventure on April 25, 2026 in Downtown The Dalles — plus three days of carnival fun April 24–26 at Lewis & Clark Festival Park.
This year’s festival has been thoughtfully reimagined as our community navigates the City of The Dalles’ First Street construction project. While the footprint looks a little different, the heart of Cherry Festival remains the same — celebrating our region’s agricultural heritage, vibrant community spirit, and world-famous sweet cherries.
For more than four decades, the Northwest Cherry Festival has brought families, neighbors, and visitors together. This year we’re expanding the celebration across the community while keeping many of the traditions people love.
🎡 Cherry Festival Carnival / PRESALE TICKETS UNTIL 1000 TICKETS OR FRIDAY NOON
📅
Friday – Sunday | April 24–26, 2026
📍
Lewis & Clark Festival Park
The Cherry Festival Carnival returns with rides, games, and classic festival fun for all ages. Rainier Amusements will be bringing their exciting midway to The Dalles with rides and attractions for the whole family.
The carnival will be open:
🎡
Friday: 4:00 PM – 10:00 PM
🎡
Saturday: 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM
🎡
Sunday: 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Bring the family, grab your friends, and enjoy three days of carnival excitement along the Columbia River.
🍒 A Month-Long Cherry Adventure
April 1 – April 30
🍒
Cherry Hunt (Cherry Trail)
📍 Locations Throughout The Dalles
A brand-new month-long interactive experience invites residents and visitors to explore The Dalles in search of hidden art pieces, local business specials, and fun community challenges. Participants can collect points, discover hidden art, and enter drawings for prizes while enjoying local businesses across town.
🏆 Weekly Winners
• Most Points Leader
• Hidden Art Scavenger Hunt Winners
🏆 Grand Prize Awards
• Overall Points Champion
• Passport Drawing Winner
🎉 Festival Weekend Highlights
Friday – Sunday
🪟
Window Decorating Contest
📅 Voting: April 22 – April 25
🏆 Winners announced Saturday
📍 Throughout Downtown The Dalles
Local businesses transform their storefronts into festive cherry-themed displays as the community votes for their favorites.
📅 Friday – Sunday
🎵 Live Music at Local Venues
Local pubs, restaurants, and venues throughout The Dalles will feature live music and entertainment during Cherry Festival weekend.
Visit TDCommunityCalendar.com for the full schedule.
🍒 Saturday, April 25, 2026
Festival Day Across The Dalles
🌅 Morning Events
🏃
CGCC Cherry Fun Run
🕗 8:00 AM
📍 Dry Hollow Road
Organized by Columbia Gorge Community College, this community run kicks off the morning festivities.
👑 Royalty Coronation & Community Breakfast
🥞 Breakfast: 8:00 AM
👑 Coronation Ceremony: 8:30 AM
📍 Mid-Columbia Senior Center
Celebrate our Cherry Festival royalty including the Little Royals, King, Queen, and Grand Marshal.
🧸
River City ABATE Teddy Bear & Poker Run
🕘 9:00 AM
📍 Begins at Coastal Farm & Ranch
🎉 Northwest Cherry Festival Parade
🕙 10:00 AM
📍 Begins at 6th & Webber
The largest parade in the Gorge returns with floats, community groups, music, and lots of cherry-themed fun.
🛍️ Daytime Festivities
🛍
Open-Air Vendor Market
🕚 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM
📍 Federal Street & Tony’s Lot
Explore handcrafted goods, local food vendors, art, and unique finds in the heart of downtown.
🧵
Cherry Festival Quilt Show
🕙 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
📍 St. Peter’s Landmark
Local quilting groups showcase beautiful handcrafted quilts as part of this longtime festival tradition.
🚘
KODL Classic Car Show
🕙 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
🏆 Awards: 3:00 PM
📍 Federal Street (2nd – 4th)
Classic cars and vintage vehicles will line the street in this popular Cherry Festival event presented by KODL Radio.
🏙
Community Fair
🕚 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
📍 4th & Washington
Local organizations and community groups come together to showcase programs, activities, and services that strengthen our community.
🎈
Children’s Activity Fair
🕚 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
📍 Civic Parking Lot (Off 4th Street)
Family-friendly games, activities, and fun designed especially for kids.
🐎
Dancing Horses
🕝 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
📍 2nd Street & Laughlin Street
A beloved Cherry Festival tradition featuring talented riders and beautifully trained horses performing graceful routines set to music.
🏆 Window Decorating Contest Winners Announced
🌙 Evening Celebration
💃
Cherry Stomp Dance
Featuring the
Icons of Rock Tribute Show
🍻 Beer Garden hosted by the Civic
🕖
7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
📍
Civic Auditorium
The Cherry Stomp Dance, a longtime festival tradition brought back by the Civic Auditorium team, invites the community to gather for music, dancing, and a festive evening celebration.
With nearly 300 days of sunshine each year, The Dalles is a premier destination at the eastern gateway of the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area.
Visitors enjoy:
• Hiking & cycling
• Columbia River fishing & recreation
• Wine tasting & local breweries
• Historic downtown shops & museums
Cherry Festival is the perfect time to experience everything The Dalles has to offer.
🧭 Conveniently Located
📍 75 minutes from Portland
📍 75 minutes from Yakima
📍 2.5 hours from Bend
📍 2.5 hours from Tri-Cities
🍒 Join Us for The GREAT Cherry Adventure!
Celebrate tradition, creativity, and community spirit at the 45th Annual Northwest Cherry Festival. We look forward to welcoming you to The Dalles this April.
📧
Questions?
[email protected]
☎ 541-296-2231
