For latest detailed info, see the newly created Hodaka Days website created for the June 2007 event.

For overall information on Athena, see City of Athena website

For info on the Athena Library, see library website or Athena Library Friends website.

Athena, Oregon LOGISTICS for HODAKA DAYS PARTICIPANTS


UPDATED JUNE 2007!!

Getting There By Land:
East-West: Interstate 84, exit 210 in Pendleton, follow Walla Walla/Milton-Freewater signs to Route 11, go north about 20 miles. North-South: I-5 to I-84 east, then see above. OR Route 97 to I-84 and see above. See MAP or visit MAPQUEST. Also, AMTRAK serves Portland. And there are Greyhound buses from Portland into Pendleton.

Getting There By Air:
Walla Walla has 3 Horizon flights to and from Seattle daily. Pendleton also has a regional airport served by Horizon with flights to and from Pasco and Portland. Major airlines serve Spokane and Portland. Rental car agencies at all airports.

Accommodations:
Free camping in city park; free RV parking at schoolgrounds parking area. Note that the City allows CAMPING at the park ONLY during HODAKA DAYS and ONLY for Hodaka Days participants; this is a special concession to our group. There are picnic tables, rest rooms, porta-potties at the park, and showers at the poolhouse (open part of each day). The park has large areas of grass with large shade trees and kids playground structures. "Bounce" dryer sheets and DEET insect repellents are effective in case of mosquitoes. Please do NOT drive on grass.

Area motels include: in Pendleton, about 20 miles south

  • and in Milton-Freewater, about 10 miles north
    • Morgan Inn, 541-938-5547;
    • Out West Motel, 541-938-6647.

    There's also a motel and RV area at the Wildhorse Casino with restaurant there and at the nearby Arrowhead Truck Plaza (visible from I-84, exit 216).

    Further information about Athena, Weston, Pendleton, Walla Walla, and Milton-Freewater towns and the overall region can be found at Athena Community Website; see especially the ATTRACTIONS and MORE LINKS pages for shopping, accommodations, wineries, recreation, etc.

    Meals:
    No-host Awards Banquet/BBQ Sat evening at the park.

    One or two food vendors will set up at eastern end of park throughout Friday and Saturday.

    Athena's Doubletree Cafe on Main Street brings out its special Hodaka Days Menu every year. Both Athena groceries -- One-Stop and Kirks -- have deli food and basic groceries available. The Sugar Shack serves specialty coffees, pastries, and light lunches. Four miles south of Athena, in Adams, is a cafe in the historic general store building for breakfasts and lunches (open early morn to 2 pm. Over in Weston, about 5 miles, there's Central Station and the Longbranch Cafe/Saloon (huge breakfasts!). Lots of restaurants in Pendleton -- Thai, Chinese, Mongolian, Mexican, steak houses, etc.

    Family activities/entertainment: On Saturday, there will be some kids' activities in the park nearly all day.
    Athena historic walking tour; swimming pool and skateboard park in Athena; Aquatic Center in Milton-Freewater; Fort Walla Walla; Wildhorse Casino; Umatilla County Historical Museum; Pendleton Woolen Mills; Pendleton Underground Tour --- and lots more! See Athena Attractions. Great rides through the countryside are over to Helix (small cafe in the store) and/or to Holdman or even further to Hat Rock State Park (cafe and grocery nearby), or towards Weston and then up to Tollgate (cafe). For additional information about Weston, Pendleton, Milton-Freewater, and Walla Walla attractions, CLICK HERE!


    RIDING/PARKING AROUND TOWN: Bikes MUST be street legal if you are riding them on-street and you must wear a helmet!! ONLY for the parade may you ride without a helmet or on a non-street-legal bike. Please observe these protocols, or the Athena Police will give tickets. The speed limit throughout town is posted as 20 mph and enforced. Parking can get tight at the park -- lots of pick-ups and trailers! Be considerate of others so as not to block vehicles along the street or annoy nearby residents, please.


    TRANSPORT FOR YOUR HODAKA:Post your need for transport at the Hodaka Owners Group on Yahoo and at the Forum at Strictly Hodaka website. One way or another, you'll probably find the help you need.


    *****Website revised March 2007 by JHM Associates. *****

    QUESTIONS? Contact us!