Hops & Crops Harvest Festival at Mary Olson Farm September 24

For Immediate Release

Contact:
Patricia Cosgrove, Director
253-288-7437
pcosgrove@auburnwa.gov

Second Annual Festival Benefits Historic Landmark

AUBURN, Wash. - September 8, 2011 - The second annual Hops & Crops Harvest Festival benefiting Mary Olson Farm is Sept. 24, from 12 to 6 p.m. Sample tasty local brews from Airways Brewing Company, Big Al Brewing, Georgetown Brewing Company, Harmon Brewing Co., Silver City Brewery, Snoqualmie Falls Brewing Company, Soos Creek Brewing Co. and Trade Route Brewing Co.

Hops & Crops general admission is $5 for ages 13 and over. Kids under 13 are free with an accompanying adult. Taster admission for ages 21 and over is $10 and includes a commemorative cup and three taster tokens. Tickets are available online at www.wrvmuseum.org through Sept. 15 or at the festival. Purchase a taster admission online and receive two free additional taster tokens.

The family friendly event also features singer and songwriter Larry Murante, country singer Jessica Lynne, the electric and acoustic Kevin Jones Band, and the harmonizing sounds of The Horde and the Harem. Alan "Gator" Chamberlain — artist, guitarist and owner of Recycled and Compacting Equipment (R.A.C.E.) — will also entertain festival-goers.

The Auburn International Farmers Market has partnered with Hops & Crops to create an eclectic, diverse marketplace of crafters, farmers and artisans. Auburn Youth Council will host a kids' root beer garden, featuring Silver City Root Beer and fun activities. Mr. B the extraordinary Shetland pony will offer 10 lucky raffle winners rides in his cart.

The Kiwanis Club of Auburn will serve up brats and burgers, Ernie's Grubbin' Grubb will serve delicious barbeque, and more sweet and savory treats will be available in the marketplace. Picnic tables and benches are expected to fill up fast, so be sure to pack camp chairs and blankets.

Hops & Crops Harvest Festival is sponsored by Station Bistro and the beer garden is sponsored by Auburn Chevrolet. Mary Olson Farm is located at 28728 Green River Rd. in Auburn. For more information, including what you can bring into the festival and what should be left at home, visit www.wrvmuseum.org/hopsandcrops.html or call the White River Valley Museum at 253-288-7433.

HOPS FARMING IN THE WHITE RIVER VALLEY
Ezra Meeker, pioneer and entrepreneur, brought the first hop-vine cuttings into the region in the mid-1860s. He shared them with other farmers and soon farms in the White River Valley and Puyallup, such as the Mary Olson Farm, were raising hops as cash crops.

In the 1880s and 1890s, White River Valley farmers found themselves in the middle of a "hops craze." Disastrous crop losses in Europe had driven prices for hops to an all-time high and it was actually more economical for European brewers to purchase hops from the United States.

Farmers in Washington, Oregon and Northern California enthusiastically turned to growing hops to fill the European demand. Local hops were raised, dried, baled and shipped to Britain for brewing beer, making Meeker and other area farmers quite wealthy.

From 1882 to 1906, hops farming produced more Pacific Northwest riches than the timber or salmon industries. Alfred and Mary Olson grew hops and after Alfred's death in 1887, his probate records showed the hops crop represented his most valuable asset.

ABOUT THE MARY OLSON FARM
The White River Valley Museum worked with the City of Auburn to restore Mary Olson Farm, the best preserved historic subsistence farm in King County. The farm is a King County Landmark and listed on the National Register of Historic Sites. Significant features include an 1897 barn, a fully restored 1902 farmhouse, a century-old orchard, three salmon runs in Olson Creek and a remarkable collection of outbuildings, including a smoke house, outhouse and weaving house. Mary Olson Farm operates as a living history and environmental learning site, and is also available for community and special events.

ABOUT THE WHITE RIVER VALLEY MUSEUM
The White River Valley Museum is a partnership with the City of Auburn and combines history and culture to create an exciting and educational experience for visitors. Museum collections focus on Puget Sound history, Northwest Indian culture, Japanese immigration and the Northern Pacific Railway.

The museum is open Wednesday through Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. and is located at 918 H St. S.E. in Auburn. Regular admission is $2 adults, $1 seniors and children. Admission is free on Wednesdays and the fourth Sunday of the month. Call 253-288-7433 or visit www.wrvmuseum.org for event information.

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White River Valley Museum
918 H St. S.E.
Auburn, WA 98002
253-288-7433
www.wrvmuseum.org