PHOTOS COURTESY OF CITY OF HERMISTON
A friendly reunion between the biggest city in the state and the biggest city in Eastern Oregon took place in downtown Portland on Saturday.
Representatives from Hermiston and Portland renewed a long-standing tradition by engaging in a watermelon seed spitting contest. After the contest, Hermiston produce was passed out to the crowd.
The event began in the 1980s when former Hermiston Mayor Frank Harkenrider challenged then-Portland Mayor Bud Clark to a watermelon seed spitting contest, and started an annual event which lasted until 2007. The Hermiston delegation also brought over a truckload of watermelons and other produce to share with Portlanders during those events.
On Saturday, Clark and current Portland Mayor Charlie Hales met up with Harkenrider and Hermiston Mayor Dave Drotzmann during the event.
Hermiston officials and Hermiston Chamber of Commerce representatives, along with Oregon State Rep. Greg Smith (R-Heppner) helped distribute watermelons and other produce at Pioneer Courthouse.
“We’re really happy that we could bring back this great event and continue to build on our relationship with our partners in Portland,” said Hermiston Mayor Dave Drotzmann.
This year’s event, sponsored by the city of Hermiston, the city of Portland, and the Greater Hermiston Area Chamber of Commerce, received many generous contributions to make it successful. The Wal-Mart Distribution Center, located in Hermiston, will provide all of the transportation for the produce from Hermiston to Portland. Additionally, many Hermiston-area growers readily donated produce for the event, including Pollock & Sons, Bellinger Farms, Walchli Farms, and Bud Rich Potato.
And for those of you keeping score, Drotzmann won the seed-spitting contest.
Below are a few photos from Saturday’s fun:
