Fall Festival at Hot Lake draws crowd

David Manuel works on his latest sculpture. Submitted photo

Over 450 of the people traveled more than 100 miles for the event that took place Oct. 25, according to the Manuels.

The couple said guests came from five countries and more than 10 states. Three private planes were parked at the La Grande airport, and over 20 rental cars traveled from Boise and other airports.

David and Lee Manuel purchased the hotel in November 2003 and initiated operations at the Hot Lake Hotel location in 2005. This year represents the third consecutive year where all of the Manuels’ business operations have been managed at the Hot Lake Hotel.

“This move to the Hot Lake Hotel has been wonderful for both our business and for Union County,’’ Lee Manuel said.

The Manuels have plans to join the festivities of the Oregon Sesquicentennial celebration in 2009, celebrating the 150th anniversary of statehood.

The restoration of the Hot Lake Hotel is now 80 percent complete.  Overnight lodging and restaurant operations are scheduled to commence in 2009.

The Manuels say they are ramping up employment at Hot Lake Springs, adding more than 20 jobs over the next few months. They say that at full employment, the Hot Lake Hotel will boast over 75 jobs.

“We very much look forward to shifting from construction to full-scale operations in 2009,” Lee Manuel said. “We believe our most important contribution to the community is to draw people from hundreds of miles away who will stay in Union County and Northeast Oregon for three or more days.

“From the day that we first toured the Hot Lake Hotel in November 2003, we felt a sense of destiny to develop this wonderful historic site,” Lee said. “It feels very good to be on the verge of completing this project.”