Dave Knows Portland

September 24-26: Oktoberfest, Juggling Fest, Polish Fest, and last Sunday Parkways of 2010

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So here’s what I would do: Head to Oaks Park Friday night for a lead in to your weekend; enjoy a bratwurst, a beer, and the oompah. Turn in relatively early. Saturday take in some of the workshops at the Juggling festival, and then around sunset make your way to North Portland for the Polish Festival (here are some tips). Fill up on pierogies and beer and dance the night away to Chervona. Whew. Sunday, dust off your bike and head up to NW Portland for a leisurely ride around the Sunday Parkways route. If you’re feeling ambitious spend sunset Sunday evening at Chapman school watching the Vaux Swifts!

Friday-Sunday

Oktoberfest at Oaks ParkOktoberfest at Oaks Park

The 2010 Zenner’s Oktoberfest at Oaks Park takes place Friday through Saturday, September 24-26.

The authentic German beers and food options (e.g. bratwurst, chicken schnitzel, braised red cabbage, sauerkraut, German Potato Salad, and Tater Tots!) are reasonably priced, and there are enough places to put in your order that the lines don’t often get too long. [more]

Friday-Saturday

Juggling FestivalPortland Juggling Festival and Vaudeville Extravaganza

The 18th Annual Portland Juggling Festival takes place Friday through Sunday, September 24 through 26. Prop manipulation, juggling, and unicycling workshops are just a part of this event held at the Reed College Sports Center (3203 SE Woodstock).

A highlight of the festival is The Portland Juggling & Vaudeville Extravaganza, held on Saturday, September 25th at the Benson High School Auditorium (546 Northeast 12th). [more]

Polish FestPortland Polish Festival 2010

The Polish Festival is one of this Portland’s best annual cultural events, and my personal favorite. It takes place this year on Saturday and Sunday, September 25 and 26.

Take in non-stop music (much of it featuring accordions!), dance performances, a street dance, and polka contests while enjoying Polish food like pierogies, kielbasa, gołąbki (cabbage rolls), placki ziemniaczane (potato pancakes), and other delectable options – and of course delicious Polish beer! In the vendor village, check out the jewelry, clothing, Polish pottery, and sundries for sale. [more]

Sunday

Sunday ParkwaysNorthwest Portland Sunday Parkways

The final Sunday Parkways of 2010 takes place Sunday, September 26th in Northwest Portland.

Take the opportunity to spend a pleasant (hopefully) summery Sunday morning and afternoon (10am to 3pm) winding your way on bike or foot through the mostly car free streets of Northwest, and a sliver of Southwest, Portland. [more]

September 24-26: Oktoberfest at Oaks Park 2010

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Oaks Park Oktoberfest 2010The 2010 Zenner’s Oktoberfest at Oaks Park takes place Friday through Saturday, September 24-26.

The authentic German beers and food options (e.g. bratwurst, chicken schnitzel, braised red cabbage, sauerkraut, German Potato Salad, and Tater Tots!) are reasonably priced, and there are enough places to put in your order that the lines don’t often get too long.

Entertainment is provided by a multitude of polka-y bands, including Greg Meier, the Polkatones, Still Kickin’, the Alpine Echoes, the Country Dutchmen, and more.

For the competitive festival goer, there’s also pretzel toss, condiment art, chicken dance, and sausage eating contests throughout the weekend.

In addition there’s a vendor village and plenty of stuff for the kids.

Admission is $5 for adults 16 to 61, $3 for 62 and over, and kids get in for $2. Friday the fest goes from 3pm-midnight (rides 6pm-10pm), Saturday, 11am-midnight (rides noon-10pm), and Sunday 11am-7pm (rides noon-7pm). Download the full schedule of events here (pdf).

This is one of Heather‘s favorite Portland festivals, because of the weiner dog races of course! Personally I enjoy mostly the beer and accordion music, of which there is plenty!

Here are a a couple reviews of past Oaks Park Oktoberfests:

And here’s a weiner dog race video!

Weiner Dog Race! from Mile73 on Vimeo.

September 17-19: Hall of Records Grand Opening, Sauerkraut, Pirates, and More!

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Friday-Sunday

Portland OktoberfestOktoberfest in Director Park

Portlander’s have another German beer festival option this year – Maletis Beverage is sponsoring a three day Portland Oktoberfest at Director Park

From noon until 9pm Friday and Saturday, September 17 and 18, and noon until 7pm on Sunday, September 19 come downtown to enjoy German beer, music, and food cart food! Admission is $5, and this event is 21 and over only. [more]

Saturday

Hall of RecordsHall of Records Grand Opening!

The official Grand Opening party at Hall of Records (3342 SE Belmont) takes place Saturday, September 18 2010 from 2pm until Midnight!

The celebration features DJs all day, vinyl and gift certificate raffles, food samples, discounts, giveaways and more! [more]

Block Party at Ninth RowBlock Party at Ninth Row

Come on out Saturday, September 18 2010 to SE 9th Avenue between Madison and Taylor for the Block Party at Ninth Row!

Sponsored by the ART DEPARTMENT and the Central Eastside Industrial Council and local businesses, this free, all ages non-profit party takes place from 11am until dark. [more]

Stumptown Beard and MustacheStumptown Beard and Mustache Competition 2010

The First Annual Stumptown Beard & Mustache Competition takes place Saturday, September 18 at the Portland Pirate Festival.

Over $500 in cash and prizes are up for grabs. Contest categories include Full Beard, Mustache, Chops (or partial beard), and Freestyle. [more]

Scappoose Sauerkraut FestivalScappoose Sauerkraut Festival 2010

The 21st annual Scappoose Sauerkraut Festival takes place Saturday, September 18 2010 at Heritage Park in Scappoose!

From 10am until 6pm enjoy tons of entertainment, great food (not all cabbage related!), cabbage bowling, and a sauerkraut eating contest! [more]

Saturday-Sunday

Portland Pirate Festival 2010Portland Pirate Festival 2010

The Fifth Annual Portland Pirate Festival takes place this Saturday and Sunday, September 18 and 19 2010 at Cathedral Park.

I have never made it to this event (for one thing I have no swashbuckling outfit), so all I can tell you is check out the website. There’s music, dance and performance, historical reenactments (with cannons!), stuff for kids, and of course there will be grub and grog! [more]

Retro Gaming Expo2010 Portland Retro Gaming Expo

The 2010 Portland Retro Gaming Expo takes place this Saturday and Sunday, September 18 and 19 at the Crowne Plaza (1441 NE 2nd).

Expo activities include video game tournaments, speakers, seminars, and a cosplay contest. [more]

For more, visit these other fine local resources: PDX Pipeline, Neighborhood Notes, Around The Sun, and Blogging Portland on the Cheap.

Portland Polish Festival 2010 (September 25-26)

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2012 details here!

Polish FestivalThe Polish Festival is one of this Portland’s best annual cultural events, and my personal favorite. It takes place this year on Saturday and Sunday, September 25 and 26.

Take in non-stop music (much of it featuring accordions!), dance performances, a street dance, and polka contests while enjoying Polish food like pierogies, kielbasa, gołąbki (cabbage rolls), placki ziemniaczane (potato pancakes), and other delectable options – and of course delicious Polish beer! In the vendor village, check out the jewelry, clothing, Polish pottery, and sundries for sale.

Below the masthead on the festival website are the words: the best kept secret of Portland, Oregon. But the festival is not a secret anymore – it’s one of the premier fall festivals in the Portland area.

Entrance to the Polish Festival is free. It takes place Saturday, September 25th, from 11am to 10pm and Sunday the 26th, noon to 6pm, and is held on North Failing street, east side of Interstate, between the St. Stanislaus Church and the Polish Library (3900 N. Interstate). Take the 4 – Fessenden to Mississippi and Failing and then take the Failing Street Pedestrian Bridge across the freeway and you are there. Or take the Yellow Line MAX to the Overlook Stop – Failing street is two blocks north up Interstate. Check out the festival website for more information.

Heather and I both blogged the festival in 2008 and 2009:

Mile73.com

Dave Knows

Festival veteran tip: arrive Saturday evening after sunset to avoid the bulk of the crowd, and the ridiculously long lines. (Read more tips here!)

September 11: Widmer Oktoberfest 2010

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Widmer OktoberfestThe 6th Annual Widmer Brothers Oktoberfest kicks off at 3pm on Saturday, September 11th in the gated lot adjacent to the brewery at 929 N. Russell Street.

Widmer’s beers, brats, chicken schnitzel wraps, sauerkraut, and pretzels are available, but that’s where the similarities to most Oktoberfests ends.

Bands playing throughout the day include the Those Darn Accordions, Amadan, Hillstomp, Sassparilla, Chris Margolin & The Dregs, and more – not a whole lot of oom-pah, and I dare say no chicken dancing. Good beer though.

Admission is free to this 21 and over, cash only, event (but a $5 commemorative mug purchase is required if you want beer).