UMATILLA, Ore.-Landing Days, a free, family-friendly festival celebrating the heritage of Umatilla is June 28 in Marina Park.
“It’s a big community celebration,” said Marla Martens, Umatilla’s Parks and Recreation Coordinator. “It’s so nice to be able to offer this free for the community.”
The festivities kickoff with a parade at 10 a.m., followed by the daylong festival in Marina Park that features something for everyone, with over 50 vendors, live entertainment, amusement park rides, food, a beer garden, the Marina Motors Car Show, the Miss Landing Days pageant and a fireworks show.
The Landing Days Parade starts at D Street and will go down 6th Street before ending at L Street.
Festivities in Marina Park begin immediately following the parade with the Marina Motors Car Show at 11 a.m., which will feature the PNW Jeep Girls Tribe, as well as classic and collector cars from across the region.
The Kids Carnival also starts at 11 a.m. and live entertainment and performances will take place on the Amazon Main Stage and the Community Stage throughout the day, beginning at noon.
The festival will conclude with the Landing Days Fireworks Show, the first official fireworks display of the season, at 10 p.m.
Landing Days has been celebrated for over 45 years in Umatilla, and last year over 4,000 people attended the event, according to Martens.
Over the years Landing Days has grown, and the festival continues to evolve, with the Community Stage and Miss Landing Days pageant new additions for 2025.
“We’re thankful that the community sees Landing Days as an asset and our sponsors are willing to help out,” said Martens. “We’re really excited and hopefully we surpass last year.”
Local and regional performers, including Big Top the Clown, Folklorico Hermiston and many more will take to the community stage throughout the day. A full Landing Days schedule of times and performers is available online.
Country artist Nick Cain, the classic rock band Blue Tattoo, Los Canarios de Michoacan and national recording artist Tim Montana will perform on the Amazon Main Stage during Landing Days.
The Miss Landing Days Pageant is open to contestants within a 25-mile radius of Umatilla and participants between the ages of 3 and 21 will compete for the crowns of Little Miss, Petite Miss, Junior Miss and Miss Landing Days.
In addition to their crown, Miss Landing Days (16-21 age group), will be awarded a $1,000 scholarship to Blue Mountain Community College, according to event organizers.
“Come down and have a great time,” said Martens. “Participate in this free community event, enjoy the great food, music, entertainment, games and vendors.”
Umatilla Marina Park is located at 1710 Quincy Avenue in Umatilla.
