Dave Knows Portland

Belmont Street Fair (September 8, 2012)

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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.

PDX Baconfest 2012

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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.

Portland Weekend Amusements (August 24-26, 2012)

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Ongoing

Movies in ParksPortland Movies in the Park

Portland Parks and Recreation has released the 2012 summer schedule of Movies in the Park. From June 29 through September 18 sprawl out at one of Portland’s fine municipal parks several times a week for an evening of free entertainment.

Friday 8/24: Hugo @ Laurelhurst Park
Saturday 8/25: Gamera vs Zigra @ Sewallcrest Park
[more]

All Weekend

Festa ItalianaFiesta Italiana

The 21st Festa Italiana turns Pioneer Courthouse Square into a piazza Thursday through Saturday, August 23 through 25, 2012.

One of my favorite Portland festivals, and not just because of the strolling accordionists, I recommend you arrive early to secure a table in the beer and wine garden! [more]

Saturday

Powell's BooksPowell’s Block Party

Powell’s Books, Portland’s pride and joy and the largest independent bookstore in the world, opened 41 years ago this year on West Burnside.

Through the end of the year Powell’s is celebrating with special author events, sweepstakes, and this Saturday, August 25, 2012 – a Block Party to kick things off! [more]

Viva La Riverlution!UnRock the Bowl

Let’s make a beach in downtown Portland! UnRock the Bowl will take place Saturday, August 25 at Tom McCall Waterfront Park – in the grass bowl just south of Hawthorne Bridge.

Rip-wrap rocks installed in the 1980’s have migrated to the water’s edge. We will simply pick these rocks up and put them back on the bank. [more]

Portland TimbersCascadia Cup Match: Portland Timbers vs. Vancouver Whitecaps

Cascadian rivals Vancouver Whitecaps (10-9-7) and the Portland Timbers (5-13-6) meet again at Jeld-Wen Field on Saturday at 7:30 p.m.

The only bright spot this season is that the Timbers sit atop the Cascadia Cup standings – tied with Seattle . . . a good result against Vancouver Saturday will put them back in the driver’s seat . . .

Sunday

Sunday ParkwaysSoutheast Portland Sunday Parkways

The fourth of five 2012 Sunday Parkways takes place this Sunday, August 26, 2012 in Southeast Portland.

From 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. wind your way on bike or foot through mostly residential streets free of car traffic, from one park to the next. This year’s route is 9 miles long. [more]

Hawthorne Street Fair 2012Hawthorne Street Fair

The 2012 Hawthorne Street Fair takes place Sunday, August 26, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. – on Southeast Hawthorne Boulevard.

For the fourth year running the fair coincides with the Southeast Portland Sunday Parkways . . . Most of the street fair activities take place between 12th and 51st . . . Clusters of arts, crafts, and food vendors pepper the side streets, sidewalks, and adjacent parking lots. [more]

42nd Ave Street Fair 201242nd Avenue Street Fair

The third annual 42nd Avenue Street Fair takes place Sunday, August 26, 2012 at Northeast 42nd and Alberta Court.
Join the fun from noon until 5 p.m.

The fair features live music, kids’ activities, vendors, a beer garden, and more! [more]

Zach's ShackZack’s Shack Hot Dog Eating Contest

The 9th annual Zach’s Shack Hot Dog Eating Contest takes place Sunday, August 26, 2012 at the shack (46th and SE Hawthorne).

The entrance fee is a mere $5, and includes all the hot dogs and buns you can eat in 10 minutes – but remember, regurgitation is grounds for disqualification. No puking! Spectators get in free. Shit goes down at 4 p.m. [more]

And for even more weekend events and activities, check out the Dave Knows Calendar, and visit Around the Sun, Blogging Portland on the Cheap, and Oregon Events at OregonLive.com.

Powell’s Block Party (25-August-2012)

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Powell's Block PartyPowell’s Books, Portland’s pride and joy and the largest independent bookstore in the world, opened 41 years ago this year on West Burnside.

Through the end of the year Powell’s is celebrating with special author events, sweepstakes, and this Saturday, August 25, 2012 – a Block Party to kick things off!

We’re taking the celebration to the street. Music, authors, food, games, beer… It’ll be fun for all ages! Join us from 2:00 to 9:00 p.m. on Couch St. between 10th and 12th avenues — right next to the downtown store. You won’t want to miss this prime summer event.

According to the Yelp event entry, special guests include Chuck Palahniuk, Chelsea Cain, and Lidia Yuknavitch; and two stages will feature live music.

42nd Avenue Street Fair (26-August-2012)

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42nd Ave Street Fair 2012The third annual 42nd Avenue Street Fair takes place Sunday, August 26, 2012 at Northeast 42nd and Alberta Court.

Join the fun from noon until 5 p.m. The fair features:

  • Live music – featuring Jelani & The Secret Five and others
  • Kids’ activities – including an ice cream walk every half hour between 1pm and 4:30pm, hula hooping, spinning wheel prizes and more
  • Vendor booths – local businesses, organizations and local art and craft vendors
  • Classic Car and Motorcycle Cruise-in for a Cure – registration is $10 and starts at noon. Proceeds will benefit the Komen Foundation
  • Beer Garden

And it all kicks off with a parade at noon, starting at NE 42nd and NE Killingsworth. Prizes will be awarded to best bike decorations and costumes, for kids and pets.

Visit the website and Facebook page for more details.