Our annual Call of the Wild event is always a can’t-miss event. It’ great people, great activities, and a great cause – protecting our wildlands, wildlife, and waters.

However, this year Oregon Wild is also celebrating its 40th anniversary. We knew we had to pull out all the stops for a party 40 years in the making. As a preview, here’s a countdown of the top 5 things you’ll say out loud at Call of the Wild!

#5 “Meet me over by the bear”

There will be a photobooth and you can get your picture taken with a real live bear!

Okay, so maybe not a real live bear, but it’s a real live person in a bear suit! That’s almost as good, right? We’ll have a camp set with costumes so you can craft the perfect scene. It’s the perfect time to be thinking about holiday cards. Imagine Aunt Millie opening your annual letter to see a picture of you being chased out of a tent by a bear!

And once you’re done sprinting from your bear scene, you’ll be able to even out your heart rate with the live music of local blues/roots guitarist Joe McMurrian! We call it finding the right balance.*

*No bears, persons in bear suits, or blues guitarists are harmed in preparation for this event.

#4 “Pass me a pint of The Wilderness”

It’s no secret that Oregon wine and beer is some of the best on the planet. When those Oregon wines are from the cellars of Duck Pond and Cornerstone, you know you’re in for a treat.

As for beer, Migration is brewing up an exclusive Northwest red called “The Wilderness” just for us! It even features three Oregon hop varieties, each representing Wilderness areas that Oregon Wild has helped to permanently protect: Mount Hood hops for the Mount Hood Wilderness, Santiam hops for the Middle Santiam Wilderness, and Cascade hops for the Three Sisters Wilderness.

Don’t miss out! Call of the Wild is the only place you’ll be able to get it.

#3 “Needs more nuts”

If you’re still not sold after the blues, beer, wine, or bear, don’t worry! We’ll have plenty of tasty treats to sample! We’ll have delicious bites from Simpatica Catering & Dining Hall, Pacific Pie Co., Tastebud, Thrive Pacific NW and more!

Need a little something for the trail, or maybe just the ride home? Trailhead Credit Union is sponsoring the trail mix station! Try your hand at creating your own secret recipe (but please, save some of the cashews for me).

#2 “I’m finally geared up for the zombie apocalypse”

Whether you’re looking for the perfect date package to take out that special someone, gear for your next adventure, or you’re prepping for the impending zombie apocalypse, you’ll be able to find what you need at the “Call of the Wild” silent auction. In addition to framed prints of the 10th annual Outdoor Photo Contest finalists, there will be rafting and adventure trips, outdoor gear and apparel, packages for hikers, photographers, climbers, fishing enthusiasts, kayakers, beer lovers, foodies, and more.

Not only that, but this year Oregon Wild is going international. Prizes include an African photo safari for two or a stay in an Italian Villa!

Check out the list of prizes here!

#1  “I love Oregon”

Announcing the winners of Oregon Wild’s 10th Annual Outdoor Photo Contest is always a treat. Each of the entries shows off how beautiful our state is and why we do what we do here at Oregon Wild!

It’s about celebrating what we love about Oregon, and why we fight so hard to make it better. It’s an opportunity to reflect on Wilderness areas and wildlands that are special to you: their calm and chaos, extremes and simplicity, places of solitude and gathering.

So pick up your tickets today! It’s going to be a great party.

“I’ll see you there.”