Sixth Annual Ornament Hunt and Sweepstakes in the Willamette Valley The Willamette Valley Visitors Association announces its annual ornament hunt, encouraging participants to connect with public lands through the spirit of holiday cheer! The Willamette Valley Visitors Association (WVVA) will launch its sixth annual ornament hunt throughout the region and on non-wilderness trails of the Willamette National Forest and the Umpqua National Forest. Beginning November 17, 2023, two hundred locally crafted wooden ornaments will be hidden along non-wilderness trails in the following ranger districts: Detroit, Sweet Home, McKenzie River and Middle Fork on the Willamette National Forest and Cottage Grove on the Umpqua National Forest for lucky hikers to find. This year’s ornaments will feature an agricultural scene that highlights the unique wine-growing areas or AVAs throughout the Willamette Valley, in honor of the 40th anniversary of the Willamette Valley AVA designation. Each ornament found includes instructions on how to register to win the Grand Prize: a two-day getaway to the Willamette Valley. For the first year ever, WVVA is offering a limited number of additional ornaments that will be available for purchase at four ranger stations throughout the forest. All proceeds will benefit Cascade Volunteers — a nonprofit organization that supports trail keepers and trail maintenance. Learn more at https://cascadevols.org/. Not only does the Ornament Hunt provide the perfect hiking opportunity, but participants are also encouraged to go Christmas tree hunting. Be sure to register for a permit before taking home the perfect tree, straight from the Willamette National Forest. More at https://www.recreation.gov/tree-permits/ebd4facc-ec56-11ea-bcba-fa43c1aabce3 Participants venturing into the forest are asked to abide by Take Care Out There and Leave No Trace Principles. WVVA and the forest service encourage hikers to plan ahead and take a look at the winter safety tips. The Willamette Valley Visitors Association website, https://willamettevalley.org/ornament, will serve as the hub for ornament hunt details and hiking planning tips. It is also where you can register your ornament to win the grand prize, a weekend getaway to the Willamette Valley. You can also find trail information and hints throughout December on the following social channels: @gowillamettevalley and @willametteNF. WVVA encourages sharing adventures using #FindYourOrnament, #FindYourTrail, #IwonderWV, #pnwonderland, #willamettenationalforest. The Willamette Valley Visitors Association abides by Leave No Trace Principles; once the contest closes, all remaining ornaments will be picked up by U.S. Forest Service professionals. About Willamette Valley Visitors Association Willamette Valley Visitors Association (WVVA) is a private, non-profit organization that supports travel and tourism in the Willamette Valley – Oregon Wine Country.  About the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service The U.S. Forest Service is a Federal agency that manages 193 million acres of public lands in national forests and grasslands.