Dances, Live Theater, and Markets Fill Union County's Weekend Calendar

The BlueMountaineers brought their monthly dance to the Union County Senior Center at 1504 N. Albany St. in La Grande on Saturday, March 28, running from 6 to 9 p.m. with a $5 admission for adults and free entry for children 12 and younger. Attendees shared finger food as part of the group's potluck tradition, making the evening one of the most accessible recurring social events on the county calendar.

In Elgin, the Elgin Opera House at 104 N. Eighth Ave. wrapped its run of "Oklahoma!" with final performances on March 26, 27, and 28. The production gave Union County theater audiences a full-stage show during the late-March stretch at one of the region's more distinctive community venues, closing out a run that drew supporters of local arts across the weekend.

Hermiston's Spring Market rounded out the options for those willing to make the drive east into Umatilla County. Running the weekend of March 28, the market drew shoppers from across Northeast Oregon with free admission and a noticeably larger footprint than in past years: vendors doubled in number and spread across two venues. Union County residents regularly travel to Hermiston for larger regional markets, and this year's expansion made the trip more productive than most.

The three events covered significant ground without requiring much spending, with total outlay ranging from nothing at the Hermiston market to $5 per adult at the Senior Center in La Grande. The BlueMountaineers hold their dance monthly, so the Senior Center on N. Albany St. returns as a low-cost Saturday evening option on a predictable schedule.