Party at Dairyville on Lag B’Omer

Portland, OR — Horses and dogs and science—oh my! Those who journey down the well-traveled road to the eighth annual Lag B’Omer celebration at Alpenrose Dairy, 2-5 p.m., May 6, will experience all three as well as entertainment, carnival games and activities hosted by nearly 40 local Jewish organizations.

This year’s event has been dubbed the Jewish Community Celebration in recognition of the large cross-section of the community it draws.
“This is an outstanding annual community event involving people from every local organization,” said Jewish Federation of Greater Portland Executive Vice-President Charles Schiffman. “It is a fine example of the collaborative approach that we discussed at our recent Leadership Council meeting with rabbis, organizations, agencies and congregations. I hope the entire community will join in the fun this year at Alpenrose Dairy.”

“It’s a very welcoming event, and a great chance to meet old and new friends,” said Rabbi Moshe Wilhelm, director of Chabad of Oregon, which coordinates the free event that draws hundreds of festivalgoers annually. “More is the word for this year’s event—more organizations, more activities, more music, more food.”

One of the mores this year is Mad Science. The festival will feature a Mad Science exhibition where children can discover several different science principles and take home a science toy of their own making.

Also new this year, Portland Police K9 Patrol Dogs will be on hand to meet all animal lovers while their handlers explain the K9 program. The dogs are trained not only to chase down criminals but also to perform search and rescue operations for missing people.

Portland Mounted Police will make a return appearance. The popular horses and their riders will stroll the streets of Dairyville during the event.
Tyler Bechtel, a graduate of the Barnum and Bailey circus, will be performing a strolling stilt and juggling routine throughout the event.
Aki Fleshler will coordinate musical entertainment for the afternoon. Music—from Fleshler’s band Azamra Orchestra and a youth band he is organizing—will waft through Dairyville most of the afternoon. Fleshler also will join Shneur Wilhelm singing songs from his new album, titled “My Tefillah,” which features songs and prayers for children.

Fleshler, who is affiliated with both Chabad and Congregation Kesser Israel, said that the annual event draws Jews from synagogues throughout Portland and Southwest Washington and the unaffiliated.

“I always enjoy it,” said Fleshler. “You see so many people of the community in one place. It’s a good mixture. Kids of all ages have a lot of fun.”

Cynthia Rutzick, who attends Congregation Shaarie Torah and has children at Portland Jewish Academy and Aleph Bet Preschool, agreed with Fleshler that the event has something fun for everyone.
“It’s always great fun and there’s always new activities,” she said. “They introduced my kids to fencing last year.”

Marcia Weiss, of Congregation Beth Israel, said “They usually have some sort of cowboy entertainment, klezmer music and lots of good food. The past several years they’ve had chess boards and my son is a chess player.”
Weiss, who has 10-, 17- and 21-year-old sons, said she has been attending the event since its inception.

“I find it really fun and a nice community activity with a variety of people,” she said.

The Lag B’Omer celebration is free for everyone and quality kosher food will be sold at the event. The quiet, pastoral setting between Beaverton and Portland is very popular for its old-world charm rain or shine. The Old West setting of Dairyville contributes to the festive atmosphere.

For more information on this year’s event, call of Chabad of Oregon.