PLEASE NOTE THAT THE LADYBUG FESTIVAL HAS BEEN DISCONTINUED; HOWEVER, THE QUILT CHALLENGE REMAINS and IS HELD IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE OCTOBER STREET FESTIVAL..

Back in the 1960s and early 1970s, an Athena company called Pacific Basin Trading Company (PABATCO) needed a way to trade with Japan, yet within post-World War II regulations about trade credits. The innovative solution? To work with Japanese engine and parts manufacturers to create motorcycles, build up the Japanese store of trade credits, and then open the door to sales of farm chemicals and related products. PABATCO's manager at the time was Ed Miley, and he assembled a team of young, enthusiastic researchers and designers and forged ahead with prototypes of some of earliest dual sport bikes available to Americans at affordable prices. The era of Hodakas was underway, with Athena becoming the hub of design and distribution. It lasted long enough to make a real mark on the bike world and on motocross.

But eventually other brand names outran Hodakas, PABATCO became a subsidiary of Shell Oil, and the Hodaka phenomenon came to a halt. Athena had its unique claim to fame. In the past decade, the world of vintage bikes has become hot. And Hodaka afficionados began informally to restore, gather, and race the bikes they were hauling out of barns, finding in fields, and inheriting from dads and uncles. With that, Athena found itself celebrating a business venture that had disappeared! And Hodaka Days was born. Each year, the event has grown; from some BBQs, a small parade, and lots of tall tale telling, it moved on to incorporate observed field trials, a bike show, and Scrambles. People come from across the USA, from Canada, even from Australia. Program information for 2007 is at Hodaka Days website; also check for program details and other information here; take a look at the links to learn more of history, savor photos friom prior years, and read up on some of the Hodaka celebrities.

HODAKA DAYS 2006 was at the American Motorcycle venue at MID-OHIO in late July, with just a small event in Athena.

In 2007, the event returns to Athena full blast On June 22-23-24 with observed trials, field meet, benefit auction for local history area at new Athena Library, BBQ, swap meet, and scrambles.

The Caledonian Games commemorate an early settlement tradition, a 2-day event organized by all the Scots of the county and held each year but one from 1899 through 1914. The festivities -- horse racing, parades, picnics, music -- were so popular that special trains brought people from Pendleton and Walla Walla to join in. In 1976, Athena attorney Donald Duncan proposed a revival of the event and it continues on the second weekend in July.

Scottish athletic games, sheepdog trials, harp music, storytelling, Scottish dancing competitions, bagpipers, a parade ... the entire town gets caught up in the events, and people still come from all over the region.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR JULY 14-15, 2007!

In 2002, a group of downtown merchants and community volunteers put together a fall harvest street festival ... with a farmers' market, artisan and craft vendors, entertainment, buggy rides, and more. Community organizations got into the spirit and sponsored booths and organized fund-raisers. Artists brought their paintings. Classic auto owners turned up to show off shiny chrome and yesteryear models. Main Street rang all day with bluegrass, gospel, and country music. By 2004's event, the Chamber of Commerce had also become involved. From Indian fry bread to lattes to ice cream to hamburgers, people got their tummies filled and also bought some squash and corn fresh off the farm, picked up hand-made soaps, pottery and jewelry ahead of the holiday shopping rush, and dropped into the American Legion for pie and coffee.