Blue Mountain Community College

The communities of northeastern Oregon offer many cultural, historical, and recreational attractions. Pendleton hosts two symphonies that attract musicians from throughout the region. Hermiston’s Desert Arts Council sponsors numerous concerts and cultural events. The Arts Center of Pendleton, the first regional arts center in eastern Oregon, offers gallery exhibits and emphasizes arts education. The Tamástslikt Cultural Institute of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation highlights a living history exhibit of regional Native American customs and culture. County museums preserve and present local histories, and the National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center near Baker City commemorates our place on the Oregon Trail.

Many communities in the six counties served by the college have unique seasonal festivals and historic architecture that reflect the spirit and history of the region. The world-famous Pendleton Round-Up celebrates the heritage of the West every September with rodeo competitions, community events, and pageants. This cowboy sport is also enjoyed at county fairs and other festivals throughout the region. The Hermiston Watermelon Festival, Baker City’s Miners’ Jubilee, and Milton-Freewater’s Muddy Frogwater Festival are a few of the many popular events that showcase local products and community pride.

Bordered by the Blue Mountains, the Columbia River, and rolling crop land, our district abounds in recreational attractions. The local area offers an abundance of year-round recreational sites, including state and national parks. The Umatilla National Forest, under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Forest Service, provides more than a million acres of wilderness recreation opportunities. Skiing, snowboarding, fishing, hiking, rafting, and hunting are outdoor activities available to BMCC students, local residents, and visitors.

Eastern Oregon has four distinct seasons with a very livable climate. Sun-filled summers see temperatures ranging from 73 to over 100 degrees, while winters average 33 degrees. Humidity is low, averaging 45 to 50 percent. Our dry climate produces about 13 inches of rain each year. We occasionally have snow for winter fun.