Oregonians Return Favor, Cross River for the One Thing Washington Sells Better
By Marsh Pendleton · Sightings Desk ·
ORCHARDS — For one week each year the river reverses, and this week it is running north: Oregonians are crossing into Clark County by the hundreds to buy the one product Washington sells better, loading fireworks into vehicles they will drive back to a state where the fireworks are illegal.
Sales at county stands are legal June 28 through July 4. At a tent on Fourth Plain on Friday, a Gresham man fed eight mortar kits into a trunk he described as “for a family gathering,” declining to specify the family or the gathering.
“Oregon plates as far as the eye can see,” said clerk Tanya Osborn, restocking a shelf labeled LOUD. “Rest of the year we drive down there to skip the sales tax. First week of July, they come up here to skip the law. It’s a relationship.”
Both sides of the river agree the arrangement is shameful. Both confirmed they will continue it.