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Portland Weekend Amusements (Sept. 30 – October 2)

September 29, 2016 by Dave Leave a Comment

Ease your transition to real Autumn weather with beer, cheese, and Greek food this weekend. And if you have the gumption, ride your bike a bit around Sellwood and Milwaukie.

All Weekend

Portland Greek Festival

After six decades, The Greek Festival has become one of the largest festivals of its kind, sharing our Greek Orthodox faith and rich culture with over 15,000 guests annually. The festival is an iconic event in the Portland Metropolitan area and has been designated as an Oregon Heritage Tradition by the Oregon Heritage Commission. Each year a portion of proceeds from the festival go toward worthy philanthropic endeavors in the greater Portland community.

Prost! Portland Oktoberfest

It’s the biggest party of the year at Prost!

Everything kicks off on Friday Night with a ceremonial keg tapping at 7pm. We will also be selling a limited amount of our 2016 Oktoberfest Liter Steins.

Saturday and Sunday we are taking the party outside. We will have the entire Marketplace, with extra biers available on tap outside, German BBQ on a charcoal grill, games, a face painter and more!

Portland Juggling Festival and Vaudeville Extravaganza

One of the largest regional juggling festivals in the country, the festival provides a venue for jugglers from around the world to come together to share knowledge and hone skills in workshops and juggling sessions.

The Juggling and Vaudeville Extravaganza highlights the festival on Saturday night. In past years it’s featured a family-friendly assortment of local and national juggling and variety acts in one live performance.

Friday-Saturday

Portland Fresh Hops Fest

The Portland Fresh Hops Fest is a celebration of the annual hop harvest that takes place from mid-August to mid-September in Oregon. This year’s 13th annual event will take place Sept. 30 and Oct. 1 at Oaks Amusement Park, 7805 SE Oaks Park Way. Hours are 5pm to 9pm on Friday and 12pm to 8pm on Saturday. The festival features more than 60 Oregon craft beers made with hops that are freshly picked off the vine and used within hours of harvesting.

This year’s festival will feature more than 60 Oregon brewed fresh hop beers . . . Beers may run out; for the greatest selection, arrive on Friday or before 3pm on Saturday.

Saturday

The Wedge: Portland Celebrates Cheese

The Wedge is a Farmers Market-style event, featuring cheese and foods/beverages that go well with it. Sample and purchase local, artisan cheese, specialty foods, beer, wine, and cider, take a class, snap a pic with our mascot, and try your hand at cheese wheel bowling! . . .

This is a family and pet friendly event that is open to the public. Children and well-behaved dogs on leashes are welcome . . .

8th Annual Belgianfest

Join North 45 for our 8th Annual Belgianfest!

Old World vs. New World Belgian Beer Battle:

Taste the best in Belgian beers with our expansive collection of authentic Belgian beers and try some of the best domestic craft Belgian style ales in our one-day celebration of all things Belgian!

Sunday

Sellwood-Milwaukie Sunday Parkways

This is the last event of the season, but we will end it with a bang! We are once again teaming up with the Salmon Celebration and the Bureau of Environmental Services (BES) for the second year in a row. For the first time ever, we will be going to Milwaukie. It’s going to be amazing! This new route will include Westmoreland, Sellwood, and Water Tower Parks plus the Milwaukie Farmers Market and the Milwaukie Business District. Stop by this event to share in some Sunday Parkways history in the making, and also enjoy the live music, delicious food, and fun that awaits you!

OMSI Harvest Fest

Enjoy the bounty of Oregon while indulging in snacks, sweets, beer and music from the Pacific Northwest region! Learn about Oregon specialty crops from local farms, CSA’s, cooking demonstrations and artisan vendors. There’s fun for the whole family, including kids activities and live entertainment. Come celebrate the harvest season at OMSI!

3rd Annual Salmon Celebration at Westmoreland Park

Join us in celebration of the restoration of Crystal Springs Creek and the return of salmon to the city on Sunday October, 2 from 11am to 4pm at Westmoreland Park.

The program will include salmon and lamprey tasters, inter-tribal cultural activities, and wonderful storytelling. Booths will include hands-on science activities, wilderness skills, nature crafts, and games for children and adults alike. The event will be free and open to all.

Portland Weekend Amusements (19-21 August 2016)

August 18, 2016 by Dave Leave a Comment

Super hot weekend for the first Oregon Walkways, the 19th annual PDX Adult Soap Box Derby, the Jade International Market, Sunday Parkways, Shakespeare, movies, and concerts in parks – and more!

Saturday

Oregon Walkways

Join Better Block PDX and Oregon Walks for the first ever Oregon Walkways: a celebration of public space along the historic Portland Park Blocks – north and south of Burnside. Kick-off walk from SW Ankeny & Broadway (Ankeny Square by Bailey’s Tap Room) to the International Open Street Summit at PSU at 11am on Saturday. Open to all ages and abilities.

PDX Adult Soap Box Derby

CAMARADERIE, COMPETITION, AND COMMUNITY

Portland’s PDX Adult Soap Box Derby is a 100 + volunteer-fueled grass roots community event traditionally held the third Saturday in the month of August.

Once a year a brave group of racers convene on the daunting slopes of Mt. Tabor to test their metal to their mettle. These pages are dedicated to all those who have spilled their blood, or even worse, spilled their BEER. We thank the community and our beloved volcano for allowing us to tickle her spine.

“FLEXING PORTLAND’S CREATIVE MUSCLE SINCE 1997”

Jade International Night Market

The Jade International Night Market takes place every year and provides a unique cultural event that reflects the diversity of the Jade District communities. We envision an event that supports and roots the Jade District community in place, while providing an opportunity for community members and businesses to benefit economically from the event.

Sunday

Sunday Parkways – Southeast

City of Portland Sunday Parkways presented by Kaiser Permanente promotes healthy active living through a series of free events opening the city’s largest public space – its streets – to walk, bike, roll, and discover active transportation while fostering civic pride, stimulating economic development, and represents the community, business, and government investments in Portland’s vitality, livability, and diversity.

Ongoing – in the Parks

Movies in the Park

Fri, August 19 – Floyd Light Middle School (10800 SE Washington St) – Toy Story 3
Sat, August 20 – Sewallcrest Park (SE 31st & Market St) – Best in Show

Flicks on the Bricks – and Pioneer Courthouse Square

Fri, August 19 – The Sandlot (PG) with pre-movie entertainment by Kathy Boyd & Phoenix Rising

Original Practice Shakespeare Festival

OPS Fest brings a new style of Shakespearean performance to the Portland area by reviving the old.

This weekend’s performances at Gabriel Park (SW 45th Ave & Vermont Street):

Twelfe Night – All Male Cast – Sat. Aug. 20 @ 2PM
Richard III – All Female Cast – Sat. Aug. 20 @ 7PM

Portland Weekend Amusements (24-26 June 2016)

June 23, 2016 by Dave Leave a Comment

It’s happening! The festivals and events are thick on the ground from here through September.

Ongoing

Pedalpalooza 2016

Pedalpalooza is 3+ weeks of bikey fun. With 280 different events, most organized by individuals, bikers of all persuasions are likely to find many events of interest. Nearly all events are free.

All Weekend

Good in the Hood Multicultural Music, Arts, & Food Festival

The Good in the Hood Multicultural Music & Food Festival has become a historical annual event spearheading neighborhoods throughout Portland to engage in the momentum of our city as a whole in its celebration and the defining of Neighborhood. Held annually the last weekend in June, its birth revealed a recognition and celebration of wealth within the neighborhoods we reside. … Last year we reached out to over 30,000 residents living within our Northeast Coalitions designated neighborhoods which many enjoyed two days of fun, music, food and festivities.

Saturday

Taste of Parkrose

Enjoy live music & entertainment, street vendors, kids crafts and games. Taste samples from ethnic cuisines from restaurants in and around Historic Parkrose.

The event will feature the following:
• Food Pavilion Big Tent with delicious food samples and treats from Parkrose restaurants and vendors
• Community Tent – Resources, clubs and information from Parkrose community non profits
• Play Area – Games, prizes and craft-making activities for kids of all ages
• Music Stage – Singers, Dance and Visual performers on stage
• Passport coupon book – Take a tour all over Parkrose and participate in a passport savings book!

Sunday

Sunday Parkways – North

City of Portland Sunday Parkways presented by Kaiser Permanente promotes healthy active living through a series of free events opening the city’s largest public space – its streets – to walk, bike, roll, and discover active transportation while fostering civic pride, stimulating economic development, and represents the community, business, and government investments in Portland’s vitality, livability, and diversity.

Milk Carton Boat Race

A classic Rose Festival event and family friendly community tradition dating back to 1973, the Milk Carton Boat Race returns in 2016 for a spectacle you won’t want to miss. Children and adults race and show off their handmade, human powered boats that float only by means of recycled milk cartons and jugs. Creatively constructed watercraft will compete in seven categories, with one earning a place in history upon the coveted Best in Show milk can trophy.

Admission is free, and the festivities take place at the historic Westmoreland Casting Pond in the Sellwood Neighborhood of SE Portland. There is no cost to enter a boat to participate in the race.

Peacock in the Park

Peacock Productions, Inc. is proud to present Peacock In The Park, an all-ages, family friendly Summertime Spectacular scheduled for Sunday, June 26, 2016 at the Washington Park Amphitheater in Portland, Oregon.

Peacock In The Park 2016 will feature live music, drag entertainers, dancers and more for a fun-filled day in the park. Either bring your own picnic or grab a snack at one of the Peacock concessions carts.

Admission is free but remember, this is a fundraiser to send LGBTQ students to college, so donations are encouraged and appreciated! Cash and credit cards will be accepted for concessions, souvenirs and/or donations. All net proceeds benefit the Audria M. Edwards Scholarship Fund.

Portland Weekend Amusements (23-25 October 2015)

October 23, 2015 by Dave Leave a Comment

If you enjoy walking, craft beer, artisan spirits, books, and the Timbers – you’re in for a treat or three this weekend!

All Weekend

Friends of the Library Fall Used Book Sale 2015

The annual Friend of the Library Fall Used Book Sale takes place October 23-26, 2015 at the Lloyd Center DoubleTree Hotel Exhibit Hall (1000 NE Multnomah).

“100,000 Donated Books and Materials – Well Sorted

Gently Used Books
Children’s books, pocket-sized paperbacks start at $0.50
Hardcover books and large paperbacks start at $2.00

Saturday

Great American Spirits Festival

The Great American Spirits Festival takes place Saturday, 24 October 2015 from 2 PM to 10 PM at the Tiffany Center (1410 NW Morrison).

Over 40 distillers will be on hand – including 20 from Oregon – offering tastings, cocktails, and sharing recipes.

Killer Beer Fest

Brewpublic tops off the 7th annual Killer Beer Week with the Killer Beer Fest at Bailey’s Taproom (213 SW Broadway) on Saturday, 24 October 2015 from noon until 11 PM.

The beer list includes:

Finn River: Black Oak
Gigantic: Ginormous
Vertigo: Coconut Porter
Trinity: Menacing Huckleberry
Upright: Oregon Native . . .

Sunday

McMenamins’ 30th Anniversary of the First Brew

On October 25, 1985, McMenamins’ first beer was brewed in a small copper kettle at Hillsdale Brewery. It was a liquid malt extract brew, highly hopped for the era, brewed by the Hillsdale’s first brewer Ron Wolf and dubbed “Hillsdale Ale.” Falling loosely in the ‘Special Bitter’ classification of beer styles, Hillsdale Ale became McMenamins first bona-fide company standard beer, pre-dating Terminator, Hammerhead and Ruby.

Match Day: Portland Timbers vs. Colorado Rapids

After an exhilarating two match 6 points road trip, the Timbers return to Providence Park to host the Colorado Rapids on Sunday, 25 October 2015 for an afternoon match.

Though tied on points with the 3rd place team in the West, the Timbers are not yet assured of a playoff spot – a win Sunday could seal the deal.

Ongoing

Walktober

Walktober 2015, the greatest walking holiday of the year takes place in Portland throughout October.

“Walk anywhere, everywhere, for any reason, or for no reason at all. This is Walktober: walking fun October 6th through Halloween (the greatest walking holiday of the year).”

Inspired by Pedalpalooza, three weeks of bikey fun in Portland held every June, the Oregon Walks conceived Walktober to promote walking as a fun, healthy, ubiquitous activity in the Portland metro region.

Portland Weekend Amusements (9-11 October 2015)

October 8, 2015 by Dave Leave a Comment

I hope you like apples – fresh or fermented! Peaches too, and Korean food, and walking!

All Weekend

Portland Nursery Apple Tasting Event 2015

The 28th Annual Apple Tasting Event at Portland Nursery (SE 50th and Stark) takes place over the next two weekends (Friday-Sunday, October 9-11, and 16-18-21, 10 AM to 5 OM each day).

After the Polish Festival and sundry Oktoberfests, this is my favorite fall event. What’s not to like? There’s Apple tasting, old fashioned cider pressing, apple desserts, cooking demonstrations, and live music.

Saturday-Sunday

NW Ciderfest

The 2015 NW Ciderfest takes place at Portland’s Pioneer Courthouse Square on Saturday and Sunday, October 10-11.

Food carts and live music make the fest fun for all age – and even well behaved dogs are welcome! Hard ciders from over 30 local and regional cideries will be on hand for (21 and over) sampling.

Saturday

Peche Fest

Celebrating the world’s greatest fruit, the peach, the 3rd annual Peche Fest returns to Saraveza and The Bad Habit Room on Saturday October 10th, fuzzier, fruitier and juicer than ever. Founded after organizers realized brewers were beginning to make some truly amazing and rare peach beers such as Upright Brewing’s Fantasia and Logsdon Farmhouse Ales Peche ‘n Brett, we figured if you could bring them together it would make for a very unique event. Now in its 3rd year, there will be over 25 peach beers and ciders in a variety of styles, as well as a peach-infused food and dessert menu and peach cocktails.

Sunday

Portland Korean Food Festival

Portland’s first ever Korean Food Festival takes place Sunday, 11 October 2015, at the Ecotrust building (707 NW Irving) from 1 PM to 6 PM.

Chefs preparing dishes for the fest include Han Ly Hwang of Kim Jong Grillin, Bo Kwon of Koi Fusion, John Gorham of Toro Bravo, PJ Yang of Bamboo Sushi, Johanna Ware of Smallwares, Rick Gencarelli of Lardo, Peter Cho of Stray Dogs and more!

Ongoing

Walktober

Walktober 2015, the greatest walking holiday of the year takes place in Portland throughout October.

“Walk anywhere, everywhere, for any reason, or for no reason at all. This is Walktober: walking fun October 6th through Halloween (the greatest walking holiday of the year).”

Inspired by Pedalpalooza, three weeks of bikey fun in Portland held every June, the Oregon Walks conceived Walktober to promote walking as a fun, healthy, ubiquitous activity in the Portland metro region.