JEFFERSON - For the first time in 52 years, there will be a wine and beer garden at this weekend's Jefferson Mint Festival and Frog Jump.

The garden area will take up nearly half of Royal Wallace Park and can easily accommodate 200 to 300 people, said Patrick Hart, chairman of the wine garden committee.

American food and a selection of European cheeses and antipasti will be available.

Why a wine garden?

"Perhaps Jefferson is maturing and moving into the global world view," Hart said. "We don't see ourselves anymore as just mint farmers. Our tastes are changing, and I think even our small town wants to be part of the burgeoning viticulture that surrounds us and is part of us."

Willamette Valley Vineyards and Mia Sonatina Cellars will provide the wine, and Seven Brides Brewing will be on hand with the beer.

"We hope the garden will provide a pleasant respite for those who would like to have a couple of drinks but who do not want to be crowded into a bar with loud music and excessive drinking," Hart said.

Most events at this year's festival will be in the fields behind Jefferson Middle School at Highway 99E and Talbot Road. Parking is available at both the middle school and Jefferson High School.

Activities include the popular frog jump, communitywide garage sale, surprise raffles, food, games, crafts, a parade, a car show and a coronation ceremony.

The Jefferson Fire District's annual breakfast runs from 6 a.m. to noon Saturday and is in the station's bays, 189 N. Main St. On the menu are pancakes, ham, eggs, juice, coffee and milk. The cost is $5 for adults, and $4 for seniors and for children 6 and up.

The festival gets started at 6 p.m. Friday with the coronation of the court, which includes Kimy Chavez, Kaylea Axmaker, Briana Wanner, AshLeigh Pollard, Deanna Herrera and Brent Wolfer.

A wide variety of music is on tap as well. Musicians will perform in the wine garden or on the main stage. The lineup includes Bittersweet, Kings in the Valley, The Quiet Side, flautist Emily Potter and pianist Jill Hickenlooper.

Registration for Sunday's 5K run/walk starts at 7:45 a.m. Runners take off at 8:30 a.m. and walkers at 9:45 a.m.

Here is the schedule:

Friday, July 24

Noon - Food, craft, commercial vendors open

5:30 p.m. - Bittersweet, wine garden stage

6 p.m. - Opening ceremonies and live music

6 p.m. - T-Ball tournament

7 p.m. - Kings in the Valley, wine garden stage

7:30 p.m. - The Quiet Side, main stage

8:30 p.m. - Night swim at Wallace Park Pool

9 p.m. - Emily Potter, flautist, wine garden stage

Saturday, July 25

5:30 a.m. - Hot air balloon launch, Jefferson High School

6 a.m. - Jefferson Fire Station breakfast, Main Street

9 a.m. - Swim meet, Wallace Park Pool

10 a.m. - Parade, downtown

9 a.m. to noon - Car show registration

11 a.m. - Cool Conspiracy, main stage

1 p.m. - Brent and Tia, main stage

12:30 to 1:30 p.m. - Frog jump registration

1:30 p.m. - Trestle Glen Band, wine garden stage

2 p.m. - Frog jumping contest

2 p.m. - Horse shoe tournament, Wallace Park

3:30 p.m. - Jill Hickenlooper music students, main stage

3:30 p.m. - Grand prize raffle and car show awards

4 p.m. - Brent and Tia, wine garden stage

5:30 p.m. - Wild Hog in the Woods, main stage

6 p.m. - Vivace String Quartet, wine garden stage

7 p.m. - The Morning Star Five, main stage

Sunday, July 26

7:45 a.m. - 5K run/walk

10 a.m. - Bicycle show registration

10:30 a.m. - Organized games

11:30 a.m. - Tristan Nichols, main stage

1 p.m. - Vivace String Quartet, wine garden stage

1 p.m. - Bicycle show awards

2 p.m. - The Kings Daughters, main stage

3 p.m. - Jill Hickenlooper, pianist, wine garden stage

3 p.m. - Festival ends