There’s no shortage of Valentine’s dinners and dances at our preserves and we’ve found a few local events you can visit with your Valentine. For a complete listing of all our preserve and local events, visit www.TrailBlazermagazine.net
Celebrate the “date” when you visit Palm Springs Preserve and attend the Riverside County National Date Festival, scheduled for February 15-24. This fair offers live animals, fantastic food, carnival rides, a Monster Truck Show and headliner entertainment. Held at Riverside County Fairgrounds, 82503 Highway 111, in Indio, just 5 miles from the preserve. Events hours are 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. For information call 800.811.FAIR.
Be good to your heart – stay at Birch Bay Preserve and participate in the 45th Annual Birch Bay Marathon and Half Marathon on February 17. Over 300 run annually in this race which is a full-marathon and a half-marathon as well as a Boston Marathon qualifier. The course is generally flat to very gently rolling, with the exception of a very short steep climb (10 meters in 200 meters) at the start of Harborview Road, and a long gradual climb (100 meters in 1.5 km) between miles 5 to 6. Most of the course lies on the waterfront, with expansive views over the water towards the mountains of Canada. Held at Birch Bay State Park, just 3 miles from the preserve; race begins at 9 a.m. For information visit www.birchbaymarathon.com
Wine and Dine your sweetie when visiting Whalers Rest and take in the 36th Annual Newport Seafood & Wine Festival, February 21-24. The central Oregon coast resort town of Newport swells to well over 17,000 visitors coming to the Festival for a weekend of wine, wonders in the culinary world, seafood and arts & crafts. Over 35 food vendors, 24 crafters and 85 wineries will be found at this enormous Festival, plus a large variety of craft items will be sold, from articles of clothing, jewelry and art glass, metal sculptures, works of art and hand-painted ceramics to handcrafted wine accessories. You must be 21 years or older to attend this event and must show valid picture ID or you will not be able to enter the event. The site is handicapped accessible and smoke free, with a special outdoor smoking area. Limited parking is available at the facility for a fee, and shuttle buses will run for FREE from Newport. Hours are Thursday, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., Friday, 12 p.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.