What do mustard, charcoal and beer have in common? Sure, they probably rubbed shoulders at your Labor Day barbecue. But they’re also among the finalists in the third annual Coolest Thing Made in Oregon contest, presented by Oregon Business & Industry in partnership with Here is Oregon. The 16 finalists represent a wide variety of products manufactured throughout the state, from Pendleton to Warrenton.
The finalists appear on a bracket that will be used to determine the Coolest Thing Made in Oregon. The first round of voting, which will cut the list to eight products, is now open and will continue through noon on Sept. 22. Oregonians can download a printable bracket and learn about the Coolest Thing finalists on OBI’s website here. They should go here to vote for their favorites.
A panel chose this year’s finalists from scores of products nominated by Oregonians over the spring and summer. Members of the public will narrow the field of finalists during several rounds of voting. The manufacturer of the winning product will receive formal recognition and enjoy bragging rights for producing Oregon’s coolest thing. At least until next year, when Oregonians will identify a new coolest thing.
The 16 finalists and the company locations:
- A-dec’s 500 Pro Dental Delivery System (Newberg)
- Beaverton Foods’ Beaver Brand Mustard (Hillsboro)
- Bullseye Glass’ Art Glass (Portland)
- Daimler Truck North America’s Western Star X-Series Trucks (Portland)
- Dave Smith Decoys’ Strutter Turkey Decoy (Lebanon)
- Deschutes Brewery’s Black Butte Porter (Bend)
- Garmin’s GTN 750Xi Touchscreen Flight Navigator (Salem)
- Kawak Aviation Technologies’ Cascade Helicopter Firefighting Bucket (Bend)
- Keith Manufacturing’s Walking Floor Truck Unloading System (Madras)
- Kingsford Charcoal (Springfield)
- Kratos Fly Fitness’ Quest Station Flywheel Trainer (Newberg)
- NIC Industries Cerakote Thin Ceramic Coatings (White City)
- Oshkosh AeroTech’s Lektro Electric Aircraft Tugs (Warrenton)
- Pendleton Woolen Mills’ Pendleton Blankets (Pendleton)
- Studson’s Safety Helmets (Sherwood)
- Tillamook County Creamery Association’s Tillamook Cheese (Tillamook)
