Landing Days Highlights Umatilla History

Large crowds drifted through the Umatilla Marina on Saturday to celebrate the city’s 151st anniversary with the annual Umatilla Landing Days.

“It’s great. I think everyone is having a good time,” Umatilla Chamber of Commerce Director Karen Hutchinson-Talaski said. “We couldn’t ask for better weather.”

The event takes place each year on the third Saturday of June and includes everything from sports tournaments to talent competitions. Although last year’s celebration suffered from a summer wind and thunderstorm, weather remained sunny on Saturday from the “Dam Run” at 7:30 a.m. until dusk when fireworks ended the celebration at 10:30 p.m. The event also included live entertainment, including a performance by country singer David Parrish, as well as 50 vendors and the annual Umatilla Landing Days Parade.

PHOTO GALLERY: Saturday at Umatilla Landing Days

This year, the Landing Days Committee continued the focus on history ramped up during last year’s 150th anniversary, and the bus and boat tours of Old Town Umatilla were a highlight throughout the day.

“Both the bus tours and the boat tours are very popular,” Hutchinson-Talaski said. “We keep filling up.”

Buses picked riders up at either the marina or the Umatilla Museum and delivered a 30-minute guided tour of the Old Town site.

On the other side of the marina, visitors could stop by a booth and sign up for a ride on the ferry by donation. By 11 a.m., many of the afternoon rides had filled.

“We’ve had one go out and come back already and another one’s out right now,” ferry volunteer Judy Simmons said. “It’s been pretty popular. We’re trying to coordinate with the land tours.”

While portions of the events focused on the past, a large number of youth volunteers and workers pointed to the town’s future as well, from a petting zoo by Umatilla County 4-H to a booth where youth baseball and softball teams sold T-shirts and bottled water.

“I love kids, that’s why I’m in this business,” Irrigon High School student Tehya Martinez said while monitoring children at the ball pit for “Bouncin’ Party House.” She works for her mother, who owns a bounce house business. “It’s hard sometimes, but it’s worth it.”

Cheerleaders ran a “jail” where friends, family and enemies could pay to imprison anyone for 10 minutes, and members of the Umatilla High School Robotics Team ran kids’ games, including a fishing booth and football toss.

“We’re just doing a bunch of games, giving out some prizes,” robotics member Anay Mendoza said. “It’s fun.”

The Umatilla Robotics Team received the “Mayor’s Choice” award in the Umatilla Landing Days parade.