News Release
| Release Number: | 05-108 |
| Dated: | 7/26/2005 |
| Contact: | Heidi Y. Helwig, 503-808-4510 |
Portland, Ore.—The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will offer free tours of its Lookout Point Dam from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, July 30, as part of the City of Lowell’s Blackberry Jam Festival.
During the 1-hour tours, Corps park rangers will explain to visitors why the dam was built, how the dam is operated and how hydropower is generated. All members of the public are invited, but children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. The tours will be given every half hour, or as demand requires. Interested parties should meet a Corps ranger at the Lookout Point Dam Overlook on North Shore Road, about 1 mile east of Lowell, at least 15 minutes before the desired tour time. Call the Corps office at (541) 937-2129 for more information.
In addition to the tours, the Corps also will participate in the Blackberry Jam Parade at 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 31 in Lowell. The Corps’ parade entry will remind people to “Boat Safe, Boat Smart, and Wear a Life Jacket.” Corps employees and their children will treat spectators along the parade route with water safety stickers and tattoos.
The Blackberry Jam Festival is an annual event that features a variety of family-friendly activities including a pancake breakfast, pie-eating contest, $10,000 fishing derby, live music, food, crafts, quilt show and raffle, games and more.
“This is what it’s all about,” said Erik Petersen, Willamette Valley Project Operations Manager. “Being part of a community means more than just doing your job—it’s getting to know the neighbors whom you serve. The Blackberry Jam Festival is an excellent opportunity for Corps employees to do both.”
The event begins at 5 p.m. on Friday, July 29 and ends at 7 p.m. on Sunday, July 31. The majority of the activities will be held in Rolling Rock Park in downtown Lowell, but other events will occur at the Lowell Marina and Lowell Grange. For more information, go to the festival website at www.blackberryjamfestival.com, call the City of Lowell at (541) 937-2157, or pick up a festival program at Lowell City Hall.