Labor Day approaches and the summer begins to blur. But as I anticipate the fall festivals I thought it would be a good exercise, and reminder for next year, to list the summer events and festivals I missed this summer that I don’t want to miss next year.
Junction City’s Scandinavian Festival – It was while we were in Astoria in June to attend the Astoria Scandinavian Midsummer Festival that I first heard of it. And I had the vague notion there was a city in Oregon called Junction City. The festival was held this summer from August 12-16, which coincided with a remarkably busy weekend in Portland (of which Heather and I took full advantage). In 2010 the festival takes place August 12 through 15th. No doubt Portland will have much to offer that weekend too, but we’ll take a few hours to drive down I-5 (Junction City is 20 minutes from Eugene) to enjoy an aebelskiver or two.
Portland Adult Soap Box Derby – I’ve wanted to make it to this event for years, but summer weekends fill up fast. Next year I’m going to make the derby a priority. This summer my interest was piqued further by the multitude of local blogger accounts of the event:
- Photos from the soapbox derby – Another Portland Blog
- Portland Adult Soapbox Derby 2009 – Brewcaster
- Art + beer + speed = adult soap box derby – More Hockey Less War
- The Portland Adult Soapbox Derby: An Appreciation – The Portland Sportsman
Festa Italiana – As I’ve stated before, this is one of my favorite Portland festivals. The only reason we missed it this year is because of a long planned camping trip. We could have gone Thursday, but we can only drink so many days in a row, and what is camping for if not for drinking? We won’t miss the Festa two years in a row though.
Oregon Brewers Festival – I’ve attended numerous times, but the past few visits have made me sour on this festival. It is often excessively hot in Portland the last full weekend in July, and the crowds get so big as to make navigating the area, much less securing a beer sample, an exercise in helplessness. But I know the secret: show up early and avoid Saturday altogether. Next year I shall return . . . hopefully on Thursday at noon!
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