Jefferson, Oregon, is situated in the middle of the Willamette Valley, just two miles east of I-5, the main north/south freeway in Oregon. It is 18 miles south of Salem, the State capitol, and 55 miles south of Portland, Oregon's largest city. It is 10 miles north of Albany, 20 miles north of Corvallis, the home of Oregon State University and 45 miles north of Eugene, the home of the University of Oregon.
The main north/south railroad track goes through Jefferson. Before I-5 was built two miles away from town in the 1950s, the main north/south Highway 99E went right through Jefferson. The city continues to be a quiet, rural town although it is growing steadily. In 2006, over 100 new homes were built in Jefferson. Because of that growth Jefferson is experiencing the usual growing pains where infrastructure is concerned. Jefferson is looking for more industry and businesses.
Name: Greater Jefferson Community Center
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 355, Jefferson, OR 97352
Physical Address: 107 N. Main Street, Jefferson
Center Phone: 541-327-7996
Email: gjccenter@aol.com
or gjcc97352@gmail.com
JEFFERSON'S MINT FESTIVAL
The first Mint Festival was held in 1957 by the Lion's Club who created the festival in celebration of the abundance of mint being farmed here. This gave the City of Jefferson the distinction of being named the "Mint Capitol of Oregon."
In 1958, as a "gimmick" to draw a crowd, Lions Club member Monte Weddle created the frog jump, which was modeled after the famous frog jump in Angels Camp, of Calavaras County, California. Rules were revised to fit Jefferson's needs and Mr. Weddle served as the frog jump announcer for 25 years.
This year 2010 is the 53rd anniversary of the Jefferson Mint Festival and the 52nd anniversary of the frog jump. This year's Festival will be held July 23-24, 2010 . For more information about the Jefferson Mint Festival visit www.mintfestival.com and the Picture Page.
The Community Gathering Place
JEFFERSON'S FESTIVAL OF THE FLOWERS
The first Festival of the Flowers was held in 2007. It was conceived to "celebrate the timeless beauty of the garden", to showcase the organizations, non-profits and agri-businesses in the greater Jefferson area and to showcase historic Main Steet in the community of Jefferson. The Festival of the Flowers is held on the first Saturday of May.
The second annual Festival of the Flowers, a spring, downtown, family oriented festival was held on May 3rd, 2008 from 10 am to 4 pm on historic Main Street. It featured a street full of flowers and garden related activities and sales by local garden nurseries farms. The winding of the traditional May Pole was performed by the children of Jefferson. The Jefferson Kids Choir sang. Musicians performed throughout the day. There were two photo and print contests in conjunction with the Festival. There was a display of the winning photos and prints, line dancing demonstrations, a real fireman's breakfast from 7 am until noon, Museum open house, quilt display and raffle, Jefferson's own Quilt Car and children's art venues. There was bingo at the Fire Department that evening. The City of Jefferson sponsored the event along with the Jefferson Historical Society & Museum, the Greater Jefferson Community Center, the Jefferson Fire Department, the Friends of the Jefferson Library, Jefferson Youth Connect, Jefferson Together!, Jefferson Quilters and the Jefferson Area Chamber of Commerce.
Each year since, the Festival of the Flowers has been held on the first weekend of May. For more information please call Nancy Hamby or Chris Giffin or visit the FOF website.
Rain or shine, we gather to honor the flowers and the many ways that they enrich our lives. Like offering scented bouquets to loved ones as a symbol of our care and affection; during sorrowful times, flowers represent our sincerest thoughts for those no longer with us. All in all, flowers bring us beauty to sooth our weary minds, bodies and our spirits. This day is for the flowers -- may they forever grace us with their sweetness.
...Toni Gilbert
