A mix of professional and leisure kite fliers will flock to Lincoln City, at the D-River Wayside, for this weekend of high-flying fun. Kicking off the weekend on June 23 with a mass ascension opening ceremony and a Build Your Own Kite workshop for kids and adults, the festival will continue through June 24 with two Kids Parades, featured kite fliers, and a Night Fly with lighted kites and live music. This year’s festival theme is, “Stars & Stripes” so come ready for a spectacular display of red, white, and blue!

You won’t want to miss this weekend on the beach, celebrating the social event of the season, the Oregon Coast Summer Kite Festival! Looking for the vacation to continue? On your way back, get a room at the Spirit Mountain Casino and make a night of it! Our casino hotel has deluxe rooms, spa amenities, restaurants, a nightclub, an arcade, and is attached to Oregon’s #1 Casino! Also check out our entertainment guide for a full event schedule of fun activities and things to do at the Spirit Mountain Casino. We’ll see you soon! ]]> 2012-05-24T08:37:28+00:00 http://spiritmountain.com/blog/spirit-mountain-community-fund-15th-anniversary-celebration http://spiritmountain.com/blog/spirit-mountain-community-fund-15th-anniversary-celebration#When:08:28:52Z Spirit Mountain Community Fund commemorated its 15th Anniversary with a celebration at the Spirit Mountain Casino. Members of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde, various Community Fund recipients, trustees, council members, and more, met at the casino to observe more than a decade of philanthropy and community involvement by the Fund. The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde have a long-standing tradition of working together to better the community. The Tribes of Grand Ronde set up the Spirit Mountain Community Fund as a philanthropic way to respond to the challenges and needs of the community in 11 counties of Western Oregon. The Community Fund helps these counties in three ways; by aiding other tribes through the Oregon Tribal Fund, assisting Native leaders through the Hatfield Fellowship, and supporting non-profit organizations in Western Oregon.

Since its inception, the Spirit Mountain Community Fund has donated more than $56 million throughout Western Oregon via 1,800 different grants. The 15th Anniversary celebration was a way to recognize the work of the Community Fund and its members, as well as the various community leaders and organizations the Fund has helped. Almost 500 guests gathered at the Spirit Mountain Casino to share a meal, introduce the following Community Fund video, listen to a videotaped thank you from Gov. John Kitzhaber, and see an exceptional performance by storyteller and poet Sherman Alexie. Additionally, as the night’s highlight, eight special $5,000 grants were awarded throughout the evening’s festivities.

The Spirit Mountain Casino is proud to partner with the Spirit Mountain Community Fund and shares the belief that by enriching the lives of those in the neighborhood, we all reap the rewards. Learn more about applying for funding opportunities with the Spirit Mountain Community Fund or check back with our Valley to Coast Blog for more information about local events and community involvement with our complete schedule of events and entertainment news.]]> 2012-05-22T08:28:52+00:00 http://spiritmountain.com/blog/washington-county-fair-fun-for-the-whole-family http://spiritmountain.com/blog/washington-county-fair-fun-for-the-whole-family#When:08:40:43Z Washington County Fair is coming to Hillsboro, Oregon, July 26-29! With concerts, carnival rides, a demolition derby, vendors, motocross, and more, each day of the Washington County Fair has something different and exciting to offer for everyone in the family.Located just 90-minutes away from the Spirit Mountain Casino, the Washington County Fair will feature a live musical performance by Miranda Cosgrove, star of the hit Nickelodeon show iCarly, on Friday, July 27. As the weekend continues, the main stage will be taken over by various other musicians and bands, providing world-class entertainment and a lively soundtrack for the Fair. In addition to daily concerts and social entertainment, the Washington County Fair will have a different arena show each night, including a draft horse show, a truck and tractor pull, a monster truck show, and a demolition derby and motocross event.

Still looking for more Fair action? These concerts and arena events are not the only thing to look forward to at the Fair! You can also enjoy a day in the sun with a variety of classic carnival rides and games, as well as hilarious and family friendly entertainment shows. Clowns, roller coasters, trivia games, petting zoos, Ferris wheels, live music and more ensure that the whole family will be entertained and on the edge of their seats all weekend long.

The Washington County Fair Complex will host this weekend of live entertainment from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. each day, July 26-29. Admission to the Fair is FREE and tickets for rides, concerts, or other entertainment events can be purchased at the gate or in advance for a discounted price online. Wristbands can also be purchased for unlimited, all-day access to all that the Fair has to offer.

For more entertainment news and local events, check back in on the Spirit Mountain Casino Valley to Coast Blog for a complete schedule of events and updates about things to do this summer! Here at Spirit Mountain, we’re already looking forward to elephant ears and spinning teacups! Can you handle this much fair?]]> 2012-05-17T08:40:43+00:00 http://spiritmountain.com/blog/100th-grand-floral-parade-sponsored-by-spirit-mountain-casino http://spiritmountain.com/blog/100th-grand-floral-parade-sponsored-by-spirit-mountain-casino#When:08:01:07Z Spirit Mountain Casino is proud to sponsor the 100th Grand Floral Parade as part of the continuing tradition of the Portland Rose Festival! Since 1907, Oregonians have gathered together to revel in classic floats as they parade through downtown, drum to the beats of the dragon boat races, and scream in thrill and fright on carnival rides along the waterfront. Spanning over a period of three weeks, the Portland Rose Festival is truly a collection of great events and activities for everyone in the family, both young and old.Traditionally, the Grand Floral Parade is the crown jewel of the annual Rose Festival, the second largest of its kind after the Tournament of Roses Parade, anticipated by both locals and festival guests alike. On average, more than 500,000 spectators line the parade route. This year's parade features 14 colorful, floral-covered floats to reflect the rousing theme of the Rose Festival, Rock 'n' Roses, with more music than ever before. In fact, 18 traditional marching bands will be joined in the lineup by several dancing groups and three live acapella singing groups. In total, 21 equestrian groups, marchers, dancers and special guests in vintage automobiles fill out the 90+ entries.

A Portland icon will lead the Parade and serve as Grand Marshall this year! Packy the elephant, who turned 50 in April, will figuratively leave his huge footprint on the route. His image will be projected on a float, which will be accompanied by 50 ZooGuides, to mark his amazing age. The Rose Festival's official mascot, Clown Prince, will kick off the parade, which features four special sections: Marking Milestones, We Are America, We are Oregon and We Are the World. The first segment of the parade presents the entry from title sponsor, Spirit Mountain Casino, a special take on the festival theme with a float depicting the classic Johnny Preston hit, “Running Bear and Little White Dove.”

You can find a full list of activities, dates and times online at the Portland Rose Festival’s Events Calendar. Don’t forget to reserve your seats for the Spirit Mountain Casino Grand Floral Parade on Saturday, June 9th. Take your pick of indoor or outdoor seating, or bring a blanket and line up along the parade route. You can also check out the Lineup of the 2012 Grand Floral Parade by online!

]]> 2012-05-08T08:01:07+00:00 http://spiritmountain.com/blog/oregon-country-music-festival-2012 http://spiritmountain.com/blog/oregon-country-music-festival-2012#When:09:59:07Z Spirit Mountain Casino is proud to announce its sponsorship of the annual Oregon Jamboree in Sweet Home, Oregon this summer. This three-day music festival will take place August 3-5 and will feature some of the biggest names in country music. Rascal Flatts, Wynonna, and Dierks Bentley will headline this weekend of live entertainment, along with 22 other country music performers. With two stages, including one sponsored by the Spirit Mountain Casino, three beer and wine gardens, four jumbo screens, a Kids Zone and more, this is a weekend you don’t want to miss!The Oregon Jamboree has been the Northwest’s premier country music festival event since its origin in 1992. Founded by Marge Geil and Leslie Ancke, the Oregon Jamboree combines a love of country music with a passion for community service—all proceeds from this non-profit event are put back into the Sweet Home community. Nestled at the base of the picturesque Cascade Mountain range, Sweet Home provides the ideal setting for this event, with RV and tent camping sites available for concert goers. Sweet Home is also conveniently located only 90-minutes away from the Spirit Mountain Casino if you want to make a night of it and get a room at the casino hotel after enjoying a day of sun and great music!

Tickets for the Jamboree are available now, with weekend passes for $135 or single-day passes ranging from $85-$95. Children passes are available for $35; however children under 6 will be admitted for free, making this a great event for kids and families! For more information about parking passes or purchasing tickets, click here.

Can’t wait until August to get your country music fix? Come out to the Spirit Mountain Casino to see Merle Haggard in concert on June 1 and start your summer in the same way you can end it, with a night of world class entertainment and country music! For more information about events and things to do at the Spirit Mountain Casino, visit our events calendar or the Valley to Coast blog. ]]> 2012-04-26T09:59:07+00:00 http://spiritmountain.com/blog/summer-travel-series-oregon-coast-bike-route http://spiritmountain.com/blog/summer-travel-series-oregon-coast-bike-route#When:12:21:58Z Spirit Mountain Casino eager for more sunshine! Luckily for Oregonians, the abundance of bike-friendly routes throughout the state has allowed residents and visitors to enjoy the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest, especially the gorgeous Oregon Coast. In fact, the 370-mile path of the Oregon Coast Bike Route follows the Pacific Coast Highway 101 for the most part, but the many departures into smaller roads and streets closer to the ocean make it more scenic and enjoyable for the avid cyclist.The entirety of the Oregon Coast Bike Route can be travelled in about six to eight days, if you cycle about 50 to 65 miles per day. Ride Oregon Ride, a department of Travel Oregon, recommends starting at the Northern tip of Oregon, in Astoria, and working your way south to take advantage of the mild winds blowing from the northwest. Between May and October, the average temperature is a brisk 54 degrees, with only a few days of measurable rain in the forecast. To help guide bicyclists, the entire route is signed, with reminders at key locations along bypasses and intersections.

To take a break from all that pedaling, the Coast offers a number of lodging options, including camping, hotels or bed and breakfasts. Many are equipped as “Hiker-Biker” sites, where cyclists can pitch a tent away from the main campsite at only $4 a night. However, reservations are recommended, especially during the summer months when many campgrounds, parks and waysides are typically full. If you want to learn more about the Oregon Coast Bike Route, click here to download the latest brochure.

For those that want to experience local entertainment, you’re always welcome to cycle by Spirit Mountain Casino, only 30 minutes East of Lincoln City, to rest your head in one of our many serene rooms at the Lodge! While you’re here, you can catch a show at our Event Center or sing some karaoke at the Mountain View Sports Bar. Pop a wheelie, and we’ll see you soon!

(Photo Courtesy of Ride Oregon Ride)]]> 2012-04-24T12:21:58+00:00 http://spiritmountain.com/blog/summer-travel-series-things-to-see-do-in-yaquina-bay-newport-oregon http://spiritmountain.com/blog/summer-travel-series-things-to-see-do-in-yaquina-bay-newport-oregon#When:09:17:00Z Spirit Mountain Casino, we are excited to usher in the warmer weather with some of our favorite destinations around the Pacific Northwest. Conveniently located about 90 minutes from Portland, and only 25 minutes from the Oregon Coast, Spirit Mountain Casino fans can easily explore the state with day trips and be back at the Casino for some late-night fun! This week, we highlight one of the must-see locales for native Oregonians and visitors alike: Yaquina Bay in Newport, Oregon.In addition to being a commercial fishing and seafood mecca, the city of Newport is a hub for tourism along the Coast and its beautiful Yaquina (Newport) Bay attracts water enthusiasts from all around the state. This estuary runs into the Yaquina River, where fisherman, kayakers and whale watchers all gather to admire the view and enjoy the bounty of fresh crabs and clams (when it’s in season, of course). Seasoned fishing anglers also cruise around the Bay to fish for tuna, halibut and salmon.

If the fish aren’t biting, no worries, visitors can hop on over to see two of the Oregon Central Coast’s most recognizable landmarks: Yaquina Head Lighthouse and Yaquina Bay Lighthouse. The official mission statement of Friends of Yaquina Lighthouses cites the following: “To aid in the restoration and preservation of Yaquina Bay and Yaquina Head Light houses and surrounding areas, and to interpret their natural and cultural histories.”

The Yaquina Head Lighthouse is the state’s tallest at 93 feet. In 1872, the lighthouse was built using more than 370,000 bricks and has survived all the winds and rains that have buffeted this narrow point of land jutting out into the Pacific Ocean since its inception. Today, an automated lens runs on electric power and flashes two seconds on, 2 seconds off, 2 seconds on, 14 seconds off to guide boats home. Visitors can pay just $7 per car to enter the Yaquina Head Outstanding Area or sign up for the Pacific Coast Passport, an annual pass that allows access to a variety of Oregon Coast locations.

The Yaquina Bay Lighthouse is a bit of history that sits atop a bluff at the mouth of the Yaquina River. Built in 1871, it was officially restored in 1996 and is believed to be the oldest structure in Newport. It is also unique in that it is the only lighthouse with living quarters attached. Not surprisingly, it was entered into the National Register of Historical Places. The lighthouse is open daily, with entrance by donation. visitors can explore the watch room and Interpretive Store for more information about its history.

For more information about Yaquina Bay, or any other trip ideas, visit our Valley to Coast Blog weekly for updates on local events, fun destinations, schedule of events and more! ]]> 2012-04-19T09:17:00+00:00 http://spiritmountain.com/blog/wooden-shoe-tulip-farm-festival http://spiritmountain.com/blog/wooden-shoe-tulip-farm-festival#When:09:03:12Z 27th Annual Tulip Fest is here at the Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm in Woodburn, Oregon, now till April 30th! With more than 40 acres of tulips and daffodils decorating an open field, springtime is truly our favorite time as the flowers are in full bloom for fans to enjoy.Just a 90-minute drive from Spirit Mountain Casino, the Farm is owned by the Iverson family, who began the tradition of tulip growing back in 1974. By the early 1980’s, the family expanded their farm to encompass more than 15 acres, and in 1983, started what is now known as the Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm. Today, the operation includes everything from bulb orders, cut flowers and potted tulips, to a year-round gift shop and all sorts of food and activities on the weekends.

This spring, bring your whole family to the Tulip Fest to admire the colors of the beautiful tulip fields! Each year, the Farm arranges a different pattern and rotates the tulip fields to a new location. You can enjoy a variety of activities every day, as well as a number of events on the weekend. Admission is only $5 per car on the weekdays, and $10 per car on the weekends, with season passes available for repeat entry during the run of the festival at $40 per car. Daily events include a children’s play area, tulip café, Dutch sausage and hamburger feed, gift shop and tulip market. On the weekends, the same events, plus a Crafters Market Place, pony rides, wine tasting, wooden shoe making and live entertainment, are also available.

For all the latest entertainment news and local happenings in the Willamette Valley, check back on Spirit Mountain’s Valley to Coast Blog for a schedule of upcoming events and things to do this season! As the best casino in Oregon, we’re excited to welcome in spring with the finest in social entertainment that Oregon has to offer. Happy Spring!]]> 2012-04-17T09:03:12+00:00 http://spiritmountain.com/blog/we-love-b-i-n-g-o-at-spirit-mountain http://spiritmountain.com/blog/we-love-b-i-n-g-o-at-spirit-mountain#When:17:00:12Z Spirit Mountain Casino! Every Sunday through Thursday in the Events Center, we host live Bingo games, with Matinee Sessions featuring large payouts and Evening Programs highlighting progressive games. We’ve also got new specialty tournaments for April, including Bingo Balls of Cash, Tax Relief Bingo, and the $1,000 Bingo Bash. Try your luck today!To the true aficionado, Bingo is much more complex than sitting in the hall waiting for your lucky numbers to be called. Sure, it is a game of chance based on random selection of numeric balls drawn from a whirling cage, but for the true Bingo fan, other traditions rule the game.

Since 1929, Bingo has evolved from the basic 5X5 matrix card to advanced variations of the game, where one number is matched, all numbers are matched or no numbers are matched. Traditionally, the game is played on cards with five vertical columns and five horizontal rows of numbers totaling 25 squares. The letters B, I, N, G, and O are printed above each column accordingly, with the center space usually marked as a “Free” starter square. When a number is drawn, it is called out loud and the players can mark their cards with specialized daubers or chips.

Basic rules aside, the more exciting elements of Bingo often come from the players themselves. Many fans play more than one card at a time to get to the point of being “cased” or “set” to complete the pattern the quickest. Without “jumping the gun” or “false alarms,” whoever finishes their pattern first can yell “Bingo!” and be crowned the winner of the session. Seasoned veterans will often bring their own daubers and Bingo kit, with the intention of sitting in their favorite lucky seat and focusing on marking up to a dozen cards at once.

Try your hand at Bingo this month! Here are our Special Events:

• Bingo Balls of Cash - April 15th

• Tax Relief Bingo - April 17th

• $1,000 Bingo Bash – April 21st

• Bingo Balls of Cash – April 22nd (matinee)

• Treasure Chest – April 26th (evening)]]> 2012-04-12T17:00:12+00:00 http://spiritmountain.com/blog/california-man-hits-568668-jackpot-at-spirit-mountain-casino http://spiritmountain.com/blog/california-man-hits-568668-jackpot-at-spirit-mountain-casino#When:08:43:05Z Spirit Mountain Casino. Melby was in Oregon visiting his 90-year-old mother who resides in a retirement community in nearby Dallas. He was only playing a short time before hitting the jackpot on one of Spirit Mountain’s newest slot arrivals, the popular one-cent denomination The Dark Knight™ machine, which features movie snippets from the blockbuster Batman sequel and colorful, action chase scenes in Gotham City on a brilliant 103-inch wide monitor. Gamers can play the game either as Batman or the Joker, with an option for immersive group play that features strong thematic graphics and fan-favorite icons, providing everything today's video slot enthusiast wants in a game.

The must-see Battle for Gotham community bonus plays out on the big screen and is a high speed car chase between Batman and Joker. This video slot also includes two very unique pick-style bonuses, Agents of Chaos and the Sonar bonus, which incorporate familiar scenes from the film with multiple winning outcomes. At the Sleight of Hand bonus, fans can swipe their hands across the screen to flip over the Joker's cards and reveal many worthwhile surprises. During base game play, three random events can also trigger fate's hand, such as an explosion of credits, increase credit awards or a trigger to ignite the popular bat signal to make an appearance.

Melby's jackpot was Spirit Mountain’s biggest jackpot payout since a 60-year-old man from Norti, Ore., hit for $610,430 on an IGT Wheel of Fortune machine on October 8, 2010.

Preview the The Dark Knight™ Video Slots by clicking on the YouTube video below:

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