Fresh Hop harvest season goes out with a bang this weekend, as the Portland Fresh Hop Pop-Up Beer Fest comes to a close and the largest single-day fresh festival the Hood River Hops Fest opens in a scenic new venue on Saturday, October 5th. If you are interested in attending the latter in Hood River but are discouraged by a drive, then the Columbia Gorge Express is an unbeatable option for attendance to and from the fest.

From the Portland/Vancouver area, riders can catch the Columbia Gorge Express from the Gateway station in NE Portland and as special offer, festival attendees who arrive car-free will receive one free drink token to be used at Hops Fest. At any time riders can then enjoy dramatic fall views up the Gorge, arriving in Hood River in just over an hour. Then several busses leave downtown Hood River to return to Portland including at 2:30pm, 4:00pm and 5:30pm. For more information about Gorge Pass visit gorgepass.com or call 833-3GO-PASS.

On Oct. 5, the 20th annual Hood River Hops Fest promises a memorable day out with 60 distinctive brews from more than 30 Pacific Northwest breweries. There is much more than beer too, a live music stage and tons of local vendors and craftsmen with gifts, and even fresh local produce on display. A big change this year is that the festival will now be held at the Hood River Waterfront, instead of downtown Hood River where it has been for the past 19 years. The new venue is an even better opportunity to soak in the gorge-us Columbia River Gorge beauty amidst the brilliant foliage and crisp autumn air with the backdrop of the river.

“With the new location for Hops Fest at the scenic Hood River Event Site, we’re able to highlight both the beauty of the area and the beer and agriculture that define Hood River. It’s the ideal recipe for a perfect fall getaway,” says Katie Kadlub, CEO of Visit Hood River.

The Hood River Hops Fest was pioneered by downtown business owners nearly twenty years ago,” said Lee Perry, event director for True West Presents. “Thanks to their hard work and the event’s continued growth and success, as well as space limitations at the previous location, we are excited to expand Hops Fest to its new waterfront venue.”

Visitors or locals traveling in and out of the area are urged to check out “The Gorge Pass” an annual pass that allows riders to travel to or from the Portland/Vancouver and all around the Gorge.  For only $40 per adult for year-long use ($20 for youth under 17), the Gorge Pass can be downloaded onto your smartphone via the Token Transit app or purchased as a physical pass that fits in your wallet.  Go to www.gorgepass.com for how to buy.

Online schedules are available for all routes at gorgepass.com, and printed schedules are available at all transit provider offices, on buses, and at local Chambers of Commerce. (For specific locations go to gorgepass.com.)

For more information about a fall getaway to Hood River, or to book a stay at one of Hood River’s lodging options, visit https://visithoodriver.com/stay.