Category Archives: news and events

Two Great Ways You Can Enjoy the Milk Carton Boat Race

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MILK CARTON BOAT RACE
Date:
June 25, 2017
Time:
11:00 am activities begin (boat check-in opens at 9:30 am)
Location:
Westmoreland Park Casting Pond – SE McLoughlin Blvd and Bybee Blvd
Cost:
FREE

At the Royal Rosarians’ Milk Carton Boat Race, teams and individuals race each other across a pond floating atop empty milk jugs and cartons. It’s a unique Portland Rose Festival tradition dating back to 1973. You have to see it to believe it – and you’re invited to do just that.

Here are two ways for you to be a part of this year’s party on the pond:

PARTICIPATE

It is 100% free to register as a participant in the Milk Carton Boat Race. Here are five simple steps to join the race:

1. Read the Race Information and Rules.

2. Give your boat a name and Register Online.

3. Design and build your boat. Watch this video for some helpful tips. Keep in mind that a one gallon jug
supports 8 lbs., a half-gallon supports 4 lbs., and a one-quart paper carton floats 2 lbs.

4. Have all boat riders sign a Waiver.

5. On race day bring your boat, waivers, life jackets and enthusiasm. Check in and boat inspection opens at 9:30 am. Onsite registration is also available from 9:30-10:30 am.

There are multiple divisions for teams and individuals, and children as young as 7 years old can participate. No experience is needed, and every year there have been first-timers. The pond is relatively shallow, and volunteers from the Sea Scouts will be present to help ensure water safety.

SPECTATE

While it’s a lot of fun to participate in the races, it can also be a lot of fun to watch. There’s no cost to attend the event and cheer on your favorite boats and racers. There will be food available for purchase, as well as samples and giveaways.

Seating around the park is first-come, first-served, and you can bring chairs or blankets to make yourself comfortable. Don’t forget your sunglasses and sunscreen!

The Milk Carton Boat Race is produced by the Royal Rosarians, sanctioned by the Portland Rose Festival and sponsored by the Oregon Dairy and Nutrition Council.

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21 Creative Ways to Upcycle Your Milk Jugs and Cartons

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On America Recycles Day, which is observed on November 15, we started thinking about what to do with all those milk jugs and cartons after they’re empty. Of course you can simply wash them out and deposit them in a recycling bin or at a recycling center. But you can also upcycle, or create a new use for your empty jugs and cartons, with some of these fun and useful possibilities:

MILK JUG CRAFTS

LIGHTS
c6a49a lanterns, what a bright idea
c6a49a indoor chandeliers
c6a49a outdoor chandeliers

watering-jug-300WATERING JUG
cff09e_jug keep your plants happy and well watered with this easy project

KITCHEN COMPOST HOLDER
3b8686 use empty jugs to upcycle food scraps into compost

SCOOP
7c7877 here’s one of many ways to turn your used jug into a handy scoop

GARDENING MADE EASY
9dc3c1 sow your seeds
9dc3c1 grow an herb garden
9dc3c1 start a mini greenhouse

BIRD FEEDERS
eb9f9f functional
eb9f9f fashionable, this is for the birds … literally

supplies-caddy_300SUPPLIES CADDY
aacd6d here’s a helpful little caddy for your school, desk or craft supplies

FUN GAMES
c6a49a play a game of catch with yourself
c6a49a or with a friend

PIGGY BANK
3b8686 start saving money by making a piggy bank instead of buying one

ARTS AND CRAFTS
7c7877 explore your crafty side with fun projects like this igloo
7c7877 a storm trooper helmet
7c7877 a skeleton
7c7877 or a gift basket

MILK CARTON CRAFTS

GINGERBREAD HOUSE
3b8686c ‘tis the season to make some fun gingerbread houses

ICE BLOCKS
 aacd6cc freezing your own ice blocks is very cool, indeed

box-garden_300PLANTER
chocolate-milk_cm make yourself a mini box garden

BIRDHOUSE FEEDER
7c7877c it’s a house and feeder – one stop shopping for birds

FLOWER VASE
 cff09ec whether as a stylish vase
cff09ec or centerpiece, who knew old milk cartons could look this good?

PAINT POTS
c6a49ac keep these paint pots in mind for your home improvement project or your kid’s next masterpiece

DESKTOP SUPPLY HOLDERS
3b8686c cut the cartons, then cut the clutter with these handy holders

WALLET/COIN PURSE
aacd6cc if you can make wallets out of duct tape, why not milk carton wallets?

TOY CRAFTS
eb9f9fc have some fun making these toys, from trucks
eb9f9fc to building blocks

candle_300CANDLES
7c7877c this bright idea upcycles cartons and crayons into candles

Last but not least, here’s one bonus idea that can utilize milk cartons, jugs or both. Start collecting cartons and jugs now to participate in the 2017 Royal Rosarians Milk Carton Boat Race on June 25. Each jug supports approximately 8 pounds, while sealed cartons support 4 pounds. Here’s a short video showing how to build your own boat.

NOTE: The links in this article are shared for informational purposes only and are not affiliated with the Oregon Dairy and Nutrition Council.

Dairy Celebrates Oregon’s Bounty: October 8 at the State Capitol

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Free face painting, petting cuddly sheep, looking at antique tractors and picking pumpkins sounds like a fall day at the farm, but you can experience it all in downtown Salem by celebrating the harvest for Oregon’s Bounty, Saturday, October 8 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the State Capitol. Best of all, admission and parking is free.

Numerous activities will be available in the Capitol Galleria and State Capitol State Park throughout the entire four hours. The Oregon Dairy and Nutrition Council is sponsoring a booth in partnership with the Oregon Dairy Princess-Ambassadors. There will be a photo booth for you to get your picture taken as milk, cheese or yogurt.

Roundhouse Band will perform on the Capitol steps starting at 10 a.m. Free face painting will be offered from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Capitol building tours will be provided at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. and three Tower Tours will be offered at 11 a.m., noon and 1 p.m., weather permitting. Tower tours are limited to the first 50 people for each time slot.

There will be half hour performances by the Cherry City Cloggers at 11 a.m. and the Independence Wagon Wheelers Square Dancers at 1 p.m.

Claudia the Chinook Salmon, a large walk-through exhibit will be available to explore. There will be a free pumpkin patch for families, first-come, first-serve, limited to availability.

There is no charge for any activity and parking around the Capitol is free on Saturdays. This is a fun, safe, family-friendly event sponsored by the Oregon State Capitol Foundation.

For more information about the event, please visit www.oregoncapitol.com or contact the Oregon State Capitol Visitor Services Department at 503-986-1388.

VIDEO

Milk Carton Boat Race Returns on June 26, 2016

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Royal Rosarians adopting popular Rose Festival competition

 

A unique Portland tradition dating back to 1973, the Milk Carton Boat Race will welcome boaters back to the historic Westmoreland Park Casting Pond on Sunday, June 26. The Rose Festival sanctioned event will be produced by the Royal Rosarians and sponsored by the Oregon Dairy and Nutrition Council (formerly Dairy Farmers of Oregon).

“The Royal Rosarians are proud to adopt this great community event, and registration will be opening soon,” said Rick Saturn, Prime Minister, Royal Rosarian. “So drink your milk and start saving up those milk cartons and jugs!”

Aptly named, the Milk Carton Boat Race features large, hand-made, human-powered boats that float entirely by means of recycled milk cartons and jugs. Racers young and old compete with their creatively constructed watercraft in seven classes ranging from sleek and slim boats built for speed to the whimsical showboat class. There is even a corporate category for businesses. All compete for the coveted Best in Show milk can trophy.

“We are so grateful the Oregon Dairy and Nutrition Council and Royal Rosarians came together to carry on this fantastic family fun event,” said Frank Chinn, Portland Rose Festival Foundation President. “The Milk Carton Boat Race is one of the more creative and colorful events in our encore season and a great way to cap the 2016 Rose Festival.”

The race will take place at the Westmoreland Park Casting Pond in the Sellwood Neighborhood of southeast Portland on June 26 at 11 a.m. It is free to attend and participate in the races; and with great food, giveaways and entertainment, it promises to be a fun event for all ages.

“What better way to celebrate June Dairy Month than a Milk Carton Boat Race?” said Pete Kent, executive director of the Oregon Dairy and Nutrition Council. “We appreciate the involvement and leadership of the Royal Rosarians and the Portland Rose Festival Foundation, and look forward to seeing this year’s new fleet of milk carton boats on the water.”

REGISTER HERE

INFORMATION AND OFFICIAL RULES

NEWS RELEASE: Milk Carton Boat Race 05.17.16

Need empty cartons to build your boat? Sunshine Dairy Foods has generously offered to provide free cartons to registered participants on a first come, first served basis while supplies last. Please contact Allyse Paettsch at 503-419-0324 or apaetsch@sunshinedairyfoods.com to arrange for pickup. Past participants have also collected empty jugs and cartons from friends, neighbors, coworkers, local coffee shops and restaurants.

About the Royal Rosarians:
In distinctive white suits and straw hats, the Royal Rosarians serve by Mayoral Declaration as the “Official Greeters and Ambassadors of Goodwill for the City of Portland.”  Formed in 1912, the Royal Rosarians promote the best interests of the City of Portland and the Portland Rose Festival.  

Royal Rosarians welcome visiting dignitaries from around the world and host hundreds of out-of-town visitors each year. Representing the outstanding character of the citizens of Portland, members march in parades throughout the world, promoting the Rose as the Queen of Flowers and Portland as the Rose Capital of the World. The Royal Rosarians are a volunteer organization dedicated to community service in charitable projects through the Royal Rosarian Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization.

About the Portland Rose Festival Foundation:
The Portland Rose Festival has made Portland, Oregon a better place to live and visit for 109 years. As Portland’s Official Festival, The Rose Festival attracts over one million people to the Pacific Northwest every year. By sharing community pride, the Rose Festival provides Portland with fun and entertainment for all ages and generates more than $70 million for the region’s economy and local businesses.

The Rose Festival Foundation is a non-profit that serves the community by providing families with events and programs that promote the arts, education and volunteerism. We value environmental responsibility, cultural diversity, patriotism and our floral heritage.

About the Oregon Dairy and Nutrition Council:
The Oregon Dairy and Nutrition Council is funded and directed by the Oregon dairy industry, with governance by a ten-member Board of Commissioners and oversight by the Oregon Department of Agriculture. Oregon is home to 240 dairy farm families and 22 dairy processors who provide more than $1 billion in economic impacts annually, along with delicious, award-winning cheeses, ice creams, yogurts, fluid milk and other high quality dairy products.

Oregon Dairy and Nutrition Council News

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ReportCover

New Council Report Highlights Accomplishments
ANNUAL REPORT | February 26, 2016

Using infographic-style illustrations and quotes from partners, the Oregon Dairy and Nutrition Council’s annual report takes a new approach to recapping the major activities and accomplishments of the prior year. Titled “Oregon Dairy Matters: Your Checkoff Dollars at Work,” the report is now available in PDF format. [more]

 

Oregon Dodnc-logo-websiteairy Products Commission Unveils New Name, Logo
NEWS RELEASE | January 5, 2015

Along with the start of the new year, the Oregon Dairy Products Commission has unveiled a new name and logo, which will help the organization better position its key commitments to schools, child and community health and wellness, industry relations and consumer communications. [more]