The Bite of Oregon began on Friday August 7th, 2009 and ran through Sunday August 9th, 2009, at the Tom McCall Waterfront Park, Portland. We arrived at the grounds on Friday evening around 6:30 p.m. The event was already in full swing. We paid the $8 entry fee, just to walk into the grounds. After the Max ride, my little ones of course needed to use the facilities. The Port-a-Potties were at least clean, and they did have the portable hand washing stations (Bathrooms – Yeah, Port-a-Potties I am not a huge fan).

We decided to take a lap around all the food tents before deciding what to eat. The kids wanted a macaroni and cheese only a few tents in (Cost $4, the kids split one small dish).  We attempted to find a seat, and the first area was full. We continued to a few more tents and found a few tables nestled between two tents.  We asked another family if we could share the long table with them, and they were gracious enough to let us join them. The kids had only eaten a bite or two when we realized that he needed a drink. We got them a lemonade (Cost $3). After the kids at, we finally got a chance to finish our initial lap around the grounds.

We have attended these in other cities, but this was our first in this state. We were actually a little bit shocked when we realized there was not more to the grounds. My husband and I then decided on a food selection. I choose a coconut shrimp cocktail, which contained 5 medium sized (Cost $5). My husband settled on a filet mignon appetizer in a pear reduction (Cost $6). We had to go in separate directions for each of us to be able to get what we wanted. When I arrived back at the table with my small plate, he was less than two bird sized bites away from finishing his little serving. He did offer me the last tiny bite of his, and I do have to say it melted in your mouth it was so delicious. I sat down and had barely completed my second bite and needed a drink. We realized that the kids had already finished the lemonade. So, my husband headed off to get another drink.

I wanted to eat my food while it was hot, and knew it would be at least a few minutes before my husband would be able to return with a drink. So, even though I was parched, I continued eating my shrimp. Had chose a delightful fresh Marion berry lemonade (Cost $4). Before I could finish my first sip, the kids wanted something else, so we got them French fries with cheddar cheese (Cost $6).  The fries were honestly not that great. We continued on and our eldest wanted a strawberry skewer (Cost $5). The youngest wanted a strawberry shortcake (Cost $5.50).  Hands down, both the berry desserts were beautiful to look at, and even better to eat.

It was finally time for us to enjoy the grounds a bit. We stumbled on the true gem of the grounds. It was a small area which was strewn with animal skins. Being young boys, my children were immediately fascinated with the man that was tending the “booth.” He was dressed in animal skins from head to toe, and wore what I perceived to be a “Davey Crockett Hat.” He looked as if he had walked directly out of the pioneer days. My son immediately began to touch one of the skins that was laid out on the ground. I panicked fearing that was not allowed and quickly told him not to touch. The stubbly-faced man came over and kindly said, “You are the authority, but I have the skins here for the children to touch and learn.”

My 8 year old son playing with an animal skin in Mr. Wendlick's booth.

Well, that was all my children had to hear; before they were all over the skins looking at them, touching them, playing with them and learning from them. I would soon learn that this amazing man was Mr. Roger Wendlick, portraying George Drouillard from the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Mr. Wendlick is an award winning and nationally recognized Lewis and Clark historian. His knowledge and patience with teaching the children was to be commended! My sons had a blast inspecting every single skin, claw, and historical replica in his booth. Mr. Wendlick was truly the best hidden treasure of the whole Bite of Oregon. I would later learn that Mr. Wendlick is responsible for gathering an extensive Lewis and Clark library, which since 1998 has resides at the Lewis and Clark College. Mr. Wendlick maintains a desk at the college library.

Image of Mr. Roger Wendlick portraying George Drouillard at the Bite of Oregon 2009.

After spending a substantial amount of time chatting with Mr. Wendlick, we continued on. The grounds had a sand box for the children to play in. The waterfront is viewable from the grounds during the day, but the area surrounding the grounds becomes a spectacular sight at night. The kids couldn’t wait to get into the Wii resort. The company had numerous games set up for the kids and adults to play. There “resort” had chairs and a pleasant atmosphere. The kids had a blast getting to play Wii for their first times ever.
The “Bite” was supposed to be open until 11 pm, but several of the vendors started closing up as shortly after 8pm.  We stayed in the Wii resort until they announced their closing, and then we continued on our adventure through the grounds. Next we came across a blown up raft that the children were all playing on, as if it were a jumping house. I let my children play for just a few minutes, before my son fell, and I realized that this was actually hazardous. We then headed to the “Garden Stage,” where the band Lex Browning had recently taken the stage. While I will be the first to admit, I am not qualified to judge country rock music; the crowd seemed to be having a great time, and there was a decent sized dance crowd in front of the stage. My baby wanted to join the completely adult dance crowd. We stood close by, as he proudly headed to the dance floor. It was rather hysterical, my six year old baby ran right to the middle of the country swaying group, dropped to the ground and started to break dance. All in all it was a good evening, but it was very expensive for just a few appetizers.

Evening Total for 2 adults and 2 children- $9.50 Max ride to the grounds, $16 Total entry fee, Foods $40.

	My youngest son inspecting every detail of a bears claws.
	Inflatable boat that children were playing on. When one child would bounce in the middle the other would bounce off the edges.
	View of the waterfront from inside the Bite of Oregon grounds.