Back in 1887 Oregon was the first state to officially recognize the Labor Day holiday, so it’s only fitting that we throw a huge Labor Day picnic!

What you do on Van-Holiday is up to you. To paraphrase the great American philosopher David Lee Roth, the beauty of Van Holiday is that there are no rules and no schools. You just make it up as you go.

Have you hugged your system administrator today?

Holy shit there’s a lot to do this weekend! Usually I publish this weekend roundup post on Thursday, but I really think we all need some extra time this week to make our weekend plans. We have multiple beer, music, and street fair events, in addition to a Timbers match and the July Sunday Parkways.

Spend a pleasant summery Sunday morning and afternoon winding your way on bike or foot through mostly residential streets free of car traffic.

There’s still a lot of soccer left in this weekend!

The North Portland Pix Patisserie will, of course, be offering french pastries. Next door neighbors Lompoc will be hosting a beer garden, there will also be ice cream, a 60 pound Carlton Farms roasted pig, and a Champagne and Oyster Bar!

A hell of a weekend is in store – summer like weather accompanies Portland’s largest street fair, one of the largest French themed festivals on the West Coast, and soccer up the wazoo – on film, on the world stage, and at PGE Park!

Another spectacular production by Andrew Curtis, local photographer and self described experimenter: 2010 Independence Day Fireworks on the Portland Waterfront.

The Fête de la Bastille commemorates the storming of the Bastille Prison on le quatorze juillet, 1789. In Portland we celebrate with the 6th Annual Portland Waiters Race, musical acts, French food and wine and a themed market, a Jardin of Wine and Beer, pétanque demonstrations and lessons, and a singing of La Marseillaise.