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Portland Weekend Amusements (16-18 September 2016)

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It’s the fest time of the year: Polish, Serbian, Oktoberfests, and more!

Thursday-Sunday

OMSI Animation Film FestivalOMSI Animation Film Festival

A celebration of animation from independent shorts to feature films, the OMSI Animation Film Festival showcases a selection of intelligent, entertaining and provocative programming from some of the world’s most creative artists. The Festival runs from Thursday, September 15 through Sunday, September 18 at OMSI’s Empirical Theater. With highlights that include an appearance by Laika Studios’ 18-foot tall stop motion skeleton puppet, a cake-baking octopus, and an imaginative 1940’s steampunk adventure, the Empirical Theater’s giant screen will offer a fantastical smorgasbord of animation with something sure to appeal to nearly everyone.

Lan Su Chinese GardenMid-Autumn Festival

Most cultures have a harvest festival and China is no exception. Zhong Qiu Jie (中秋节), the Mid-Autumn Festival, has roots back to ancient times and is an important traditional Chinese holiday. Taking place on the fifteenth day of the eight month of the lunar calendar, the Mid-Autumn Festival is usually on or close to the time of the “Harvest Moon” when the moon appears at its fullest during the autumnal equinox.

Celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival, one of the four most important holidays on the Chinese calendar, at Lan Su Chinese Garden this September 15 – 18!

Friday-Sunday

Stammtisch Oktoberfest 2016Stammtisch 2016 Oktoberfest

Oktoberfest season is almost here! Dust off your lederhosen and dirndls and get ready for our 3rd annual Okoberfest celebration.

Once again we will be closing down the street and throwing the best Oktoberfest celebration in the city with a BBQ, games, German music, and 10+ Oktoberfest biers on draft.

Friday

El Grito 2016El Grito de Independencia

Come and celebrate with us!

El Grito Fiestas Patrias celebrates the independence of Mexico and other Latin American countries from Spain. As the Mexican President presents the nation’s traditional El Grito in Mexico City, so too will Portland commemorate Mexico’s independence at the Rose Quarter Commons.

Saturday

The Beer Mongers OktoberfestOktoberfest at the Beermongers

Join us as we celebrate the beginning of Oktoberfest with a BEER GARDEN! We will have some classic German beers on draft from Paulaner, Ayinger, Hacker-Pschorr plus a special ceremonial Fest keg. We will have a beer garden set up outside with some of our favorite Oregon made German style beers from Heater Allen, pFriem, Rosenstadt and others. We will be encouraging costumes and awarding prizes for creative attire. We will be showing the Timbers on the Big Screen at 3pm. Then we will have a Paulaner gal hosting beer stein races, prizes will include Timbers tickets to the Final Home Game! Prost!

Saturday-Sunday

Polish FestivalPortland Polish Festival

The Polish festival is an event for families and singles, adults and children, for food connoisseurs, music lovers, concert goers, dance enthusiasts, … It is for everyone.

During the festival, we provide non-stop stage performances, including a few dance groups and music bands, polka contest on Saturday and Sunday, a street dance, delicious Polish food and imported Polish beer.

Serbian Fest 2016Serbian Fest

Please join us for the 10th Annual Serbian Festival on September 17th & 18th. This is a celebration of food, wine, dance and culture of the Serbian Orthodox people.

Delicious Serbian Food: BBQ, Roast Pig and Lamb, Desserts; Live Music, National Dance, Beer and Wine, Kid’s Activities…and much more.

Ongoing

Swirling SwiftsChapman Vaux’s Swift Watch 2016

Every year in late August, one of Portland’s most spectacular natural events begins: Thousands of Vaux’s Swifts gather in the city as they prepare to migrate to Central America and Venezuela. Migrating swifts often use chimneys as roosts (places to sleep), and they are likely to return to the same roost year after year. One population has been returning to Chapman since the 1980s, and it is one of the largest known roosting sites of migrating Vaux’s Swifts.

Portland Weekend Amusements (9-11 September 2016)

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The Belmont Street Fair, Taste of Latinoamerica at Portland Mercado, Kick Ass Oregon History Podcast Release Party, and more!

Saturday

Belmont Street Fair 2016Belmont Street Fair

SE Belmont Street from 33rd to 39th will be closed to car traffic and filled with the lively sights that can only be seen on Belmont. The event features live music, beer gardens,bounce house, and over 200 vendors with great food and shopping. The intersection of 34th and Belmont transforms in to our very own grassy ‘Central Park’ courtesy of the Sunnyside Neighborhood.

Portland MercadoTaste of Latinoamerica

Taste of Latin America 2016 will build on the success from its inaugural year, delivering a unique-to-the-region Latin American culinary and cultural experience, while creating economic development opportunities for entrepreneurs who are at the beginning stage of business. We plan to welcome more than 25 food vendors representing different countries and regions of Latin America — Mexico, Central America, Caribbean Islands and South America. To compliment the diversity of foods and beverages, there will be a wide variety of high quality Latin American entertainment including live music, dancing, kid friendly activities and art.

Festival Latino 2016Festival Latino

Festival Latino, a part of Summer Free For All, is Saturday, September 10, and free for the whole family! Join Portland Parks & Recreation at Glenhaven Park for food cart vendors, games, live music and a movie in the park! The fun starts at 4:00pm and concludes with a screening of Inside Out in Spanish with English subtitles!

Sunday

OH’s Podcast Release Party! “Policing in Oregon.”KAOH’s Podcast Release Party! “Policing in Oregon.”

On September 11th, 2016, Kick Ass Oregon History will host the release party for their new podcast series, “Policing in Oregon.” The event will start a 7:00pm (doors at 6:30) at Turn! Turn! Turn! (8 NE Killingsworth St, Portland). The cover charge is $5.

“Policing in Oregon” is a series of podcasts that examines how Oregonians have historically been policed, and how we want to be policed in the future. As we look at policing actions in the past, we also seek interpretation from current experts and observers of those events. Interviews were conducted with Mayor Hales, former PPB Chief Derrick Foxworth, a slew of current and former law enforcers, journalists and historians. Some of whom will join us for the evening!

Ongoing

Swirling SwiftsChapman Vaux’s Swift Watch 2016

Every year in late August, one of Portland’s most spectacular natural events begins: Thousands of Vaux’s Swifts gather in the city as they prepare to migrate to Central America and Venezuela. Migrating swifts often use chimneys as roosts (places to sleep), and they are likely to return to the same roost year after year. One population has been returning to Chapman since the 1980s, and it is one of the largest known roosting sites of migrating Vaux’s Swifts.

Portland Labor Day Weekend Amusements 2016

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A nice long weekend of Art in the Pearl, Romanian Festival, Swift Watch, Portland Film Festival – and Labor Day Picnics!

Saturday and Sunday

Romanian Folk and Food Festival 2016Romanian Folk and Food Festival

ROMANIAN COMMUNITY CELEBRATES ITS HERITAGE AND CULTURE IN ITS GENUINE WAY

BBQ, traditional foods, pastries, beer, wine, live music, dance, kids activities, and much more!

The fest takes place at Saint Marys Romanian Orthodox Church (135th and SE Stark)

Saturday-Monday

Art in the PearlArt In The Pearl

Art In The Pearl® is a wonderful community event. Over one hundred artists show and sell work ranging from fine wooden furniture to beautiful paintings to photography, glass, clay, metal, jewelry, and much more! Our 19th Annual Festival will take place September 3-5th, 2016.

Monday

Union Yes2015 Labor Day Picnics

The region’s largest Labor Day picnic takes place at Oaks Amusement Park in Southeast Portland, sponsored by the Northwest Oregon Labor Council, AFL-CIO. Members and their families from dozens of unions – up to 20,000 people – turn out for barbecue, games, carnival rides, raffle drawings, music, and a chance to hear from local politicians.

Ongoing

Swirling SwiftsChapman Vaux’s Swift Watch 2016

Every year in late August, one of Portland’s most spectacular natural events begins: Thousands of Vaux’s Swifts gather in the city as they prepare to migrate to Central America and Venezuela. Migrating swifts often use chimneys as roosts (places to sleep), and they are likely to return to the same roost year after year. One population has been returning to Chapman since the 1980s, and it is one of the largest known roosting sites of migrating Vaux’s Swifts.

Portland Film FestivalPortland Film Festival 2016

The festival focuses on the people, ideas, technology, skills and artistry behind filmmaking and provides both entertaining and educational opportunities to the public. The festival is anchored with outdoor screenings, offering its filmmakers one of the largest audiences available on the West Coast.

The festival is spread across seven theater and education venues including some of the oldest historic theaters in Oregon

Ongoing – in the Parks

Movies in the ParkMovies in the Park

  • Fri, September 2 – Director Park (815 SW Park Avenue) – To Catch A Thief
  • Sunday, September 4 – Overlook Park (1599 N Fremont St) – The Wizard of Oz

Portland Weekend Amusements (26-28 August 2016)

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Summer ain’t over yet! The Organic Beer Fest, Festa Italiana, Hawthorne’s annual street fair – and more!

Thursday-Saturday

Festa Italiana 2016Festa Italiana

This is our 25th Festa Italiana Portland so we are going to celebrate it in a special way! The event takes place in "Portland's Piazza" Pioneer Courthouse Square. We will have Italian Music, Wine/Beer Gardens, Vendors, Dancing and plenty of Italian Food . A great celebration of Italian American culture in beautiful Portland, Oregon. Come join the fun at this family friendly event August 25-27th. Right on the Max Train line. The event is Free admission.

Thursday-Sunday

Organic Beer FestOrganic Beer Fest

Two of Portland’s beloved industries – organic beer and sustainability – come together in an annual celebration designed to raise awareness about organic beer and sustainable living. We’re serving up more than 50 organic beers, ciders and mead along with live music, food, sustainability-oriented vendors, non-profits and a children’s area, all in a beautiful park setting.

Drink Organic, Save the Planet – One Beer at a Time!

Saturday

Jade International Night MarketJade 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

Hawthorne Street FairHawthorne Street Fair

Come visit Portland’s original “shop local” district on Sunday, August 28th between 11am and 7pm and explore over a hundred businesses dedicated to community involvement, making the area a desirable place to live, work, and shop.

Some of the highlights include:

  • Main Music Stage at 34th Avenue
  • Kids Activities at Kids At Heart (35th Ave)
  • Muse Art Activities
  • Beer gardens at Bazi Bierbrasserie (32nd Ave) and Hawthorne Hophouse (41st and Hawthorne)
  • Vendors along the street between 31st and 38th Avenues

Ongoing – in the Parks

Movies in the ParkMovies in the Park

  • Fri, August 26 – Mt Scott Park (SE 74th & Reedway St ) – Cinderalla (2015)
  • Fri, August 26 – Hamilton Park (SW 45th & Hamilton St) – Pirates of the Caribbean – Curse of the Black Pearl
  • Sat, August 27 – Laurelhurst Park (SE Cesar E Chavez & Stark St) – Star Wars – The Force Awakens

Concerts in the Park

  • Sunday, Aug 28 – Laurelhurst Park – Providence Stage Band

Portland Weekend Amusements (19-21 August 2016)

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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 WalkwaysOregon 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 Soap Box DerbyPDX 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 MarketJade 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 ParkwaysSunday 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 ParkMovies 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 FestivalOriginal 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