Do You Know Your Oregon State Symbols?

As a nearly three-year Oregon resident, I’m still learning some of our iconic state symbols. However, it did not take long to recognize the abundance of Doug firs (our state tree) in Portland. Some of our other symbols are not as easy to guess. Here’s the story behind a few of them.

🐄 State Beverage: Milk

Elementary school students from Tillamook are to be credited for our state beverage. In 1997, state legislators honored the students’ request, noting milk production as a key player in Oregon’s economic success. Although the same is true for 19 other states also claiming milk as their official state beverage. Oregon produced over 2.5 billion pounds of milk last year. Holy cow!

👯 State Dance: the Square Dance

In 1977, the Oregon Federation of Square and Round Dance Clubs asked state legislators to declare the square dance as Oregon’s official state dance. The dance includes four couples moving in a square formation, typically accompanied by country music. Coincidentally, 19 other states also claim the square dance as their official state dance. Check out Portland’s River City Dancers to participate in local square dancing events.

🍐 State Fruit: Pear

Pears are Oregon’s “top-selling tree fruit crop and its 10th largest agricultural commodity,” according to Oregon state legislators. And in 2005 the fruit was named an official state symbol, at the request of both young political activists from Hood River and the Pear Bureau Northwest. Starting in August, you can pick your own pears on the Hood River Fruit Loop.