Ontario OR, & the Four Rivers Cultural Center and Museum

9/24/2021

"Four Rivers Cultural Center celebrates five cultures that settled in the Four Rivers area--the Northern Paiute, Basques, Hispanics, Europeans, and Japanese Americans."

Four Rivers Cultural Center and Museum shares a campus with the Ontario branch of Eastern Oregon University, and the Treasure Valley Community College.

I traveled to Ontario OR for Free Museum Day, 9-18-2021. I wanted to explore the Japanese Gardens at the Four Rivers Cultural Center, to add to my Japanese-American Journeys post https://www.travelpacificnw.com/accessible-travel-blog/japanese-american-journeys
Imagine my delight when I found out that the very same day was an hispanic fiesta celebrating Mexican Independence Day! Then when I got to Ontario, I found another bonus: the Tater Tot Festival was that weekend as well! You could start that Saturday at 9am with the Saturday Market at the historic Train Depot park.

I wanted to be sure to get a parking space at the Cultural Center, so I found where it was the night before, then got there early Saturday morning, and actually had time to explore around town a little before parking at 10am when the Four Rivers Cultural Center and Museum opened. I loved that they were showcasing 5 cultures of the valley, beside a little natural history. First I went through the Museum (a few highlights below). See also https://4rcc.com/

Japanese Garden at Four Rivers Cultural Center and Museum, Ontario OR

Gift Shop--Four Rivers Cultural Center and Museum, Ontario OR

With an hour and a half to spare before the Fiesta started at 2pm, I decided to see if I could wheel downtown (perhaps about a half mile) for the Tater Tot Festival. The terrain is flat, major streets have sidewalks with ramps, people driving were very thoughtful and patient as I crossed the roads. See also
https://tatertotfestivaloregon.com/

Fiesta for Mexican Independence Day--Four Rivers Cultural Center and Museum, Ontario OR
I got back from the Tater Tot Festival downtown just in time for the fiesta at 2pm. By 3 or 4 pm it was rather windy and stormy, starting to sprinkle, and as I was worn out from treking around town, I went back to my room, thinking it was 5pm and all was over. I think I got the time zones mixed up, so I must have missed the dancing, which I would have enjoyed so. But as the weather deteriorated I was so very glad I didn't wait to go see the Tater Tot Festival, which I had intended to do after the fiesta.