EUGENE & WILLAMETTE VALLEY Sailing at Fern Ridge Lake FROM TOP: JEREMY RUNNING; MELANIE GRIFFIN Drums in Dragon Meadow at Oregon Country Fair VENETA & FERN RIDGE West of Eugene, the town of Veneta perches on the edge of 9,000-acre (3,642-ha) Fern Ridge Reservoir — the South Willamette Valley’s largest reservoir and a base camp for outdoor recreation. With reliable sailing conditions for community regattas, the reservoir is a premier sailing destination that draws enthusiasts from across the region. Paddlers and anglers enjoy the serene waters as well. The paved Fern Ridge Path offers the chance to spot nesting shorebirds in the lake’s marshlands. Campers and RV-ers relax on the north end of the lake at family-friendly Richardson Park Campground. From May to mid-October, taste the bounty at Veneta’s Downtown Farmers’ Market. Visit nearby Sarver Winery and LaVelle Vineyards to sample Veneta’s contribution to the South Willamette Valley’s exceptional winemaking tradition. Our Daily Bread Restaurant, a family-owned restaurant and bakery, resides in a refurbished church and is known for its baked goods, signature sandwiches and delicious breakfasts. In July Veneta hosts the annual Oregon Country Fair — a spirited community festival of music, food, arts and crafts. Travel Lane County | EugeneCascadesCoast.org | 541.484.5307 49
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