Ontario: local rooms, events and more

Illustration made for Popchat

Town and around · Oregon · 59k people

Ontario

“Gateway to Oregon”

Where the river bends and the fields stretch wide.

Forest greenHarvest gold

Welcome to Ontario, the heart of the Treasure Valley! Whether you're here for the fiddle music or the onion rings, you'll find a friendly handshake and a river view. Come for the small-town charm, stay for the big skies.

Clubs for Ontario

No clubs for Ontario yet.

The room

Ontario Quiet now Where the river bends and the fields stretch wide.

One room for everyone around Ontario. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.

Ask the neighbours

All

A good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.

Coming up

No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.

Marketplace

Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Ontario. Sign in to sell something.

Things to do

Treasure Valley Community College The local community college in Ontario.
Ontario City Park A central green space with playgrounds and picnic areas.
Weiser River Trail A scenic rail-trail along the Weiser River.
Snake River The major river that defines the valley.
Lake Owyhee A reservoir popular for fishing and boating.
Payette River A river running through the Idaho side.

Outdoors Fishing on the Snake River
Outdoors Hiking in Owyhee Canyonlands
With kids Picnicking at the Snake River
With kids Swimming at Lake Owyhee
Evenings Local taverns with live music
Evenings Country western dancing
Locals love Farm stands
Locals love River access points

Through the year

National Oldtime Fiddlers' Contest June A week-long fiddle competition in Weiser.
Payette County Fair August Classic county fair with livestock and carnival.
Malheur County Fair August County fair in Ontario with rides and exhibits.
Ontario Farmers Market Summer Weekly market with local produce and crafts.
Nyssa Thunderegg Festival September Celebrates the state rock with rockhounding and family fun.

Semi-arid climate with cold, snowy winters and hot, dry summers. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to be out. Best: Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to be out.

Talk like a local

“The Valley”: The Treasure Valley region.
“Owyhee”: Pronounced oh-WY-hee; refers to the river, county, and canyonlands.
“Thundereggs”: The state rock, often collected.
“The Fiddle”: The National Oldtime Fiddlers' Contest.

Getaways

Boise Idaho's capital with dining, arts, and nightlife.
Baker City Historic town with the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center.
Mountain Home Gateway to the Boise National Forest.
La Grande Eastern Oregon college town with outdoor access.

Local flavour

Rooting for Boise State Broncos, Idaho Vandals, Idaho Steelheads

Eat and drink

Basque chorizo
Finger steaks Beef strips battered and fried, a Treasure Valley favorite often served with fry sauce.
Onion rings Made from the sweet onions grown in the area, especially around Nyssa and Weiser.

Where people go

Basque cultural centers
Irrigated farmlands Vast fields of onions, sugar beets, and potatoes, carved by irrigation canals.
Snake River The defining waterway for recreation, irrigation, and the region's natural beauty.
Old-time fiddle contests Weiser hosts the National Oldtime Fiddlers' Contest, drawing musicians from across the country.

Heritage and traditions

Ontario and the surrounding Treasure Valley are proud of their deep agricultural roots, Basque heritage, and the annual National Oldtime Fiddlers' Contest in Weiser, which draws musicians from across the country.

This time of year in Ontario

Thunderegg hunting fall After harvest, families head to the hills to dig.

Say it like a local: “Fiddle” — Violin, especially in old-time music

Festivals

Basque Festival summer Celebrates Basque heritage with food, music, and dance.

Landmarks with a story

Vale's Oregon Trail Interpretive Center Exhibits on the Oregon Trail and pioneer life.

Food traditions

Basque lamb roasts Community gatherings featuring slow-roasted lamb, a Basque tradition.
Picon punch A Basque cocktail made with Amer Picon, grenadine, and soda.
Basque bread Round, crusty bread baked in community ovens.

Music and arts

Old-time fiddle music Weiser is a hub for old-time fiddle.
Basque folk music and dance Traditional Basque music and dance performed at festivals.

A little history

1840s-1860s Oregon Trail migration
late 1800s Basque immigration
early 1900s Irrigation development
1950s Weiser's fiddle contest

Rivalries

Ontario vs. Weiser High school football rivalry across the state line.
Payette vs. Fruitland Local high school sports rivalry.
Boise State vs. Idaho College rivalry between the Broncos and Vandals.
Oregon vs. Idaho Friendly banter about which side of the border is better.

Game day High school football
Game day Rodeo
Outdoors Hunting for game birds
Outdoors Rockhounding for thundereggs
With kids Collecting thundereggs
With kids Attending the fiddle contest

A neutral Western American accent with a few agricultural terms and Basque words.

Only here

Nyssa is the self-proclaimed Thunderegg Capital of the World
Weiser hosts the National Oldtime Fiddlers' Contest
Ontario has a large Basque community

New here? A few tips

Summers are hot and dry, winters cold; be ready for irrigation ditches.
The region is agricultural, so be patient with farm equipment on roads.
Learn about the Basque community and try a chorizo.
Weiser is pronounced 'Wize-er'.
The Snake River is a big deal for recreation.

Make this page better

Know a place, a festival, a word locals use, or something here that's wrong? Suggest it; someone at Popchat checks every one.

Part of Boise area

Nearby

Every area

WeiserIdahoWhere the river meets the fiddle BoiseIdahoA friendly city where the river meets the foothills.Baker CityOregonWhere the Oregon Trail meets the mountains and the heart stays wild.West Central MountainsIdahoWhere pines meet the water's edge.Mountain HomeIdahoWhere the desert sky meets the Snake River Wallowa CountyOregonAlpine valleys, bronze artistry, and wide-open skies.La GrandeOregonBig skies, wild rivers, and small-town heart.HaileyIdahoMountain air, small-town heart.

Ontario, OR-ID. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.