All about Grants Pass
Grants Pass is nestled in the Rogue Valley and is steeped in history.
Downtown “G” St. is designated as a National Historic District. There are walking tours to view old historic homes and at certain times of the year some of these homes are open for viewing. The beautiful Rogue River runs through the town and brings thousands of visitors yearly.
Grants Pass downtown is healthy and vibrant. In 2003 Evergreen Federal Bank sponsored the Bearfest. Life sized bears made of fiberglass were painted by the local artists and displayed throughout the summer, then were auctioned off in the fall. This has continued for several years. In 2006 the bank sponsored an old fashioned celebration of America with life size replicas of bald eagles, old fashioned history columns lined the streets as well as the American flags.
Every summer Grants Pass hosts an old time fair which includes crafts, hobbies, 4-H, livestock auctions, entertainment, square dancing, carnival rides, pig races and 4x4 truck pulls.
A favorite attraction are the jet boat rides down the Rogue River, which run from late spring through early Sept. Parts of the Wild and Scenic Rogue River are only seen from these rides.
The Boatnik is another gala affair held in Grants Pass over Memorial Day weekend and is the largest attended event in Oregon. A huge parade is held on Sat. with events in the park afterwards such as volleyball tournaments, arts and crafts and carnival rides. Monday hosts the day for the hydroplane races and the racers come from all over to participate.
Later on in the summer, Concerts in the Parks, funded by Grants Pass Chamber of Commerce start and are free to all who wish to attend. The schedule is every Tuesday evening at 7:00, you can gather at the historic Riverside Park to listen to a variety of music, depending on the week! Of course there is ice cream available to purchase as well as other snacks!
Grants Pass also hosts “back to the 50’s night” in the summer, usually in late July and those with old cars cruise the main downtown streets, which have been closed to regular traffic, for the cruise! Those in the know say it revels anything else across the nation.
First Friday of every month is a stroll down historic downtown streets to view art in the local businesses from local artists. The Grants Pass Museum of Art is open and free of charge.
A historic building, the Rogue Theatre is located downtown and was built in 1938. This building was an actual theatre and has since become revitalized as a performing art center and is now on the National Historic Register.
In October there is Art along the Rogue with chalk drawings on the streets. All ages are encouraged to enter.
In 1986 Grants Pass won the designation of being one of the most livable cities in America.
In 2004 Grants Pass was named in Boomtown USA as among its top 100 cities in America.
In 2006 Mother Earth News listed Grants Pass as one of the 12 great places you have never heard of. Mother Earth News said Southern Oregon is a great place to live with amazing scenery, mild climate, and recreational opportunities at every turn and a high level of support for sustainability. Medford and Ashland were also mentioned but commented that Grants Pass was more affordable.
Grants Pass is a delightful, active growing town with many lakes, hiking trails, only 2 hours to the ocean, and 2 hours to some of the best snow skiing in Oregon! It has a mild climate year round and plenty of friendly folks who have pride in their town!
Once you visit, you will want to stay! Call REDD MCCARTY REALTORS for your personalized relocation package, moving information or if you need help in any area, our concierge services are available for all of our clients!
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