Dave Knows Portland

Archives for September 2012

Belmont Street Fair (September 8, 2012)

by Leave a Comment

Belmont Street FairThe 16th Annual Belmont Street Fair takes place Saturday, September 8, 2012 from noon until 7 p.m. The fair extends from 20th to 48th on Southeast Belmont, with car free blocks from 34th to 38th.

Sponsored by the Belmont Area Business Association and the Sunnyside Neighborhood Association, the fair features over 100 craft booths, two music stages, food vendors, and activities for the kids. There will be a beer garden at SE 33rd!

This is one of my favorite Portland street fairs. Car free streets make it more pleasant than the Hawthorne Street Fair. Most of the fair activities take place within a few car free blocks between SE 34th and 37th, so it’s easy to take in the whole thing. And the Belmont Street Fair is not nearly as crowded as the Mississippi Street Fair.

For a taste of what to expect, check out my reviews of the 2010 and 2009 fairs.

Widmer Oktoberfest (September 7-8, 2012)

by 1 Comment

Widmer OktoberfestThe eighth annual Widmer Brothers Brewing Oktoberfest expands to two days this year, taking place Friday and Saturday, September 7 and 8, 2012 at the brewery (929 N. Russell Street).

Widmer’s beers, brats, chicken schnitzel wraps, sauerkraut, and pretzels are available, and of course there will be accordions!

The first Oktoberfest of the season, Widmer’s is not my favorite – the rock and roll bands are too loud [get off my lawn, and really, rock and roll bands at an Oktoberfest?], but the beer is good, the food is decent, and the crowds aren’t so thick that beer lines are arduous. Consider it a good warm up for the Fall festival season.

Admission is free to this 21 and over, cash only, event (buy a $6 commemorative stein to buy beer – or use a previous year’s stein if you have one!). The fest runs from 7 p.m. to Friday and 1 p.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday. Don’t drive – take the Yellow line MAX, get off at the Albina/Mississippi stop and you’re only a block away. Visit the Facebook event page for more fest details.

PDX Baconfest 2012

by 4 Comments

PDX BaconfestThe fourth annual Portland Baconfest takes place Saturday, September 8, 2012 at 18th and East Burnside, adjacent to the East Burn (1800 E Burnside), from noon until 9 p.m. – it’s a giant street festival celebrating bacon!

Thousands of bacon lovers attended last year’s fest, thoroughly lubricating their cardiovascular system and contributing hundreds of pounds of food to the Oregon Food Bank.

Entertainment includes four live bands and a skate competition, sponsored by Bacon Skateboards.

Festival goers can compete in the Ultimate Bacon Eating Contest, the Bacon Dance Off, Greasy Slip N Slide, and the Triathlon De Pig – prizes include iPods, grills, and more!

Dozens of sponsors and vendors will be on hand offering their bacon, and non-bacon, related wares.

Admission is a mere $5 and a suggested donation of 2 canned food items for the Oregon Food Bank. Must be 21 or over to enter! For more details visit the Baconfest website or the Facebook event page. Arrive early to sign up for the contests.