Support Local in Eastern Oregon

The people of eastern Oregon may not be as numerous as those on the state’s western side, but their commitment to fellow residents, businesses and overall quality of life in their communities is unmatched. The Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative (OTEC) proudly serves these members, businesses and residents in their economic and personal endeavors. OTEC is also eager to draw attention to the phenomenal events and promotions that define the holiday celebrations and support commonly found throughout the region.

Grant County’s Christmas on the Prairie included numerous activities throughout Prairie City during the week before Thanksgiving. With a theme of “Woodland Christmas,” the festival began Friday, November 17, with a Christmas movie hosted by the Prairie City High School cheerleaders. It continued through the weekend with an ornament hunt and the American Legion Auxiliary Holiday Bazaar featuring a variety of gifts for sale. The festivities wrapped with a Fine Wine and Holiday Signs Painting Party.

Harney County’s Small Biz Saturday at the Mill House and Christmas Bazaar were showcases of local artists on Friday, November 24 and Saturday, November 25. Locally created crafts became perfect gifts for that special someone, from unique stocking stuffers to essential household items.

Downtown La Grande hosted its Artisan Holiday Bazaar on Small Business Saturday - November 25. The event is Union County’s celebration of exquisitely talented local artists and vendors who have created various unique and beautifully hand-crafted products that made finding the perfect gift for everyone's special someone simple.

Baker County’s Twinkle in Time was a weekend-long suite of events in early December presented by Baker City Downtown. Activities included a Cookie Crawl, Downtown Holiday Shop Hop, the annual Festival of Trees, Twilight Parade and Tree Lighting in Court Street Plaza. 

Year-round presence

While these events gain most of their attention as opportunities for friends and families to gather in their communities, they are much more than that. Every parade path winds through main streets lined with small businesses; every holiday bazaar features neighbors showcasing their innovative ideas and market solutions. In short, these events center on the entrepreneurs and small businesses that drive the economies and well-being of every town and city in northeastern Oregon. 

While each event is noteworthy, together, they occur on only a few days of the year. Yet, these small businesses are year-long endeavors where entrepreneurs and innovators strive to bring their products to their community while earning a living. These small businesses strengthen local economies, generating 63% of new jobs in the U.S. from 1995 to 2021 and employing almost half of America's private sector workforce. 

Support local

This holiday season, the Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative team would like to thank all of the small businesses and nonprofits in our service region for the joy they bring to residents and their profound effect on the local economy. The entire holiday season is a joyous time for all to celebrate these entities and the many benefits they provide. We look forward to serving the community today and in the future.