Camellia Run & More! Spring activities on tap for second weekend in April at Chehalem Cultural Center

The familiar sight of blooming pink Camellia trees is the hallmark of the arrival of springtime in Newberg. To celebrate, lots of activities will be happening the second weekend of April at Chehalem Cultural Center (CCC). Here's your guide for fun things to do to usher in spring - Newberg-style. Get your calendar ready; here's what's on tap:

CPRD Camellia 5K/10K Fun Run/Walk
9 a.m. Sat., Apr. 12
(Packet pick up 8 am.)
Kick up your heels in the Chehalem Park and Recreation District (CPRD) Camellia 5K/10K Fun Run/Walk. Whether you're a competitive runner looking to get a timed run under your belt or simply want to walk through the streets of Newberg in a fun walk - perhaps with a friend or even pushing your baby stroller. This popular family event focuses on improving community health and development while highlighting the diverse cultures in Oregon. All funds produced from Camellia Run participants go toward CPRD youth sports scholarships. Register online now at https://cprd.us/camrun25

Note: Packet pickup for registered participants will take place from 4 to 6 p.m. on Friday, April 11th, at Chehalem Aquatic and Fitness Center.

Camellia Plant Sale
8:30 a.m. Sat., Apr. 12
A plant sale hosted by Oregon Camellia Society will open at 8:30 a.m. at the rear entrance of the CCC on Sherman St. There will be some hard-to-find Camellias available to add to your collection. The sale will end once the plants are sold. The supply is not expected to last long, so the early shopper gets the worm.

The 84th Annual Oregon Camellia Society Show
10 a.m. Sat., Apr. 12
The Oregon Camellia Society, in cooperation with the American Camellia Society, will hold a bloom show upstairs in the Loft Gallery (the hallway outside LaJoie Theatre). This is free and open to the public for viewing from 10 to 4 p.m. Do you have a particularly beautiful Camellia flower that you'd like to add to the contest table? All are welcome to enter Camellias in the show, no experience necessary. Instructions for entering blooms can be found along with the rules at https://cprd.us/jd2jh. Blooms must be entered by 11 a.m. when judging is to begin.

Note: members of the Oregon Camellia Society will offer the opportunity to help you learn how to enter your flowers in the show while they are there setting up the show, at 5 p.m. on Friday, April 11th in the Loft Gallery upstairs in CCC.

EnTaiko: Japanese Taiko Drumming with marimba fusion
11 a.m. Sat., Apr. 12
Experience the pounding, engaging experience of enTaiko at 11 a.m. in the fabulous new LaJoie Theatre. This dynamic youth Japanese taiko drumming group known for high-energy performances is based in Portland. EnTaiko brings the powerful rhythms of traditional Japanese drumming to life while infusing modern creativity with instruments like the marimba. Audience participation is a hallmark of their shows, so be ready to join the excitement in this experience for all ages. Sound fun but a little loud for comfort? Bring your earplugs or headphones, and you can still enjoy the fun. Visit the cultural center website for online registration and suggested donations for tickets: https://cprd.us/nw9jd.

ABOUT THE CAMELLIA FLOWER

The Camellia is the official flower of the City of Newberg. While most cities have official flowers, not many have their own registered variety; Newberg does. How did the Camellia captivate Newberg residents? Russell Gainer was a longtime member of the Oregon Camellia Society, which was established in 1941. He had a large collection of Camellias in the Newberg area. By 1949, the Newberg Men's Garden Club had adopted the Camellia as our city's official flower.

There are approximately 300 species and upwards of 3,000 cultivars (varieties) of Camellias. While pink is the color most commonly associated with Camellias, they actually come in a variety of colors and hues. The "City of Newberg" is the common name of our unique variety. CPRD's Park and Facilities Supervisor Bryan Stewart was instrumental in selecting, naming, and bringing the "City of Newberg" Camellia to Newberg from its originator, Daniel Charvet of Fort Bragg, California, who registered it with the American Camellia Society in 2018.