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ScanFair (December 3-4, 2011)

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I'm a Viking!The 27th annual Portland ScanFair, presented by the Scandinavian Heritage Foundation, takes place this Saturday and Sunday, December 3 and 4, 2011.

Scandinavians love to celebrate Christmas. It brings joy to the short and dark days of a Scandinavian winter. Those traditions run deep in the hearts and lives of the people of Scandinavian heritage and come alive every year in Portland at ScanFair.

This is the 27th year that the Scandinavian Heritage Foundation (SHF) and the Nordic community will gather to celebrate the fun, the food and the traditions of a Scandinavian Christmas with ScanFair, a holiday festival and market.

The fair will be held at a new venue this year, the Exhibit Hall in the Memorial Coliseum (300 N Winning Way). Admission is $6 for adults, $5 for seniors and students, and children under 12 are free. Saturday hours are 10am to 5pm, Sunday 11am to 4pm.

Though primarily a holiday bazaar featuring Scandinavian food, crafts, and sundry, there is also an impressive entertainment lineup (pdf) featuring live traditional music and folk dancing performances and classes.

But my absolute favorite part of the fair is the annual pickled herring eating contest! Check out Nick Capri’s impressive 2008 win below. He took home as a prize a bottle of Krogstad Aquavit, made by Portland’s House Spirits. This year’s contest goes down at noon on Saturday – don’t miss it!

Der Rheinlander Oktoberfest (September 23-24, 2011)

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Der Rheinlander Oktoberfest 2011The Rheinlander 2011 Oktoberfest takes place Friday and Saturday, September 23 and 24 at the restaurant (5035 NE Sandy).

The outdoor bier tent features beer directly from Munich, German – including Hofbrau Oktoberfestbier and Paulaner Salvator Dopple Bock. Live music in the evenings is provided by Oktoberfest band Paloma from Chicago, and participate in (or observe with a smirk) the sausage and pretzel eating contest and costume competition.

Saturday, noon to 5pm, is Family Day, and features face painters, balloon artists, and other activities for kids and parents. The Rogue Valley Alphorns and Der Liederkries will be performing.

And of course enjoy fantastic food – options include fondue, Königsberger Klopse, Hungarian goulash, eisbein, sausage, and plum and peach crisp!

Admission each day is $5 (kids 4-12 $2, 0-3 free!). A portion of which benefits the Northwest Down Syndrome Association. Visit the Oktoberfest event page for more details.

Man vs Dog: Late-Summer Scarfing Fest (18-September-2011)

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Man vs Dog 211Man vs. Dog, the Original‘s 3rd annual late-summer scarfing fest, takes place Sunday, September 18, 2011 at the restaurant (300 SW 6th).

Some of them deprive themselves of nutritious sustenance before taking their marks. Some of them use water as a lubricant to make these little torpedoes slippery enough to go down faster. Some of them simply break them in two and simultaneously inhale both halves like shameless sword-swallowing ducks.

But either way, they’ve come every year for the last two years, to participate in the competitive eating contest they’ve come to know as MAN vs DOG. . .

But if we truly wish to properly describe this annual event, we should probably classify it as WOMAN vs DOG, or even WOMAN vs MAN, because, of the three winners we’ve had in the last two years—2010′s event ended in a draw—two have been, chromosomally, Double-Xers.

The competition starts at 3pm sharp. Contestants compete for pride, prizes, and to benefit the Children’s Hospital Travel Fund.

Weekend Amusements (August 12-14, 2011)

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It’s Baconfest weekend! Plus there’s a whole lot of other stuff to do, including the Alberta Street Fair, Bridge Pedal, Movies in the Park, Adult Soap Box Derby, and more!

All Weekend

Columbia Gorge International Film FestivalColumbia Gorge International Film Festival

The fourth annual Columbia Gorge International Film Festival takes place August 10 through 14, 2011 in Vancouver, Washington.

The official selections include several films with Portland connections, including Patrick’s Story, produced by Portland-based Galaxy Sailor Productions, Portland-based filmmaker Jacqueline Gault‘s Sack Lunch, and others. The festival program includes brief descriptions of these and all the other selections. [more]

Movies in ParksMovies in the Park

Movies in the park this weekend:

Friday: Gamara vs Guiron (live dialogue & music) @ Sewallcrest Park
Saturday: James and the Giant Peach @ Dickinson Park
Sunday: Tangled @ Hazeltine Park [more]

Friday

Portland StreetcarPortland Streetcar 10th Anniversary Celebration

The Portland Streetcar celebrates 10 years of service this summer.

The modern Portland Streetcar debuted on July 20, 2001, carrying passengers between the Good Samaritan Hospital in Northwest Portland to Portland State University in Southwest.

This is a free, all ages, celebration open to everyone! [more]

Twilight CriteriumPortland Twilight Criterium

The Portland Twilight Criterium returns to the North Park Blocks (near NW 9th and Couch) this Friday, August 12, 2011 . . .

Assuming you’re not racing, I recommend watching from the beer garden, which features a happy hour from 4-6pm! Festivities include a Food Carts Expo, a Handbuilt Bike Exhibition, and a chance to meet the women of the Rose City Rollers. [more]

Saturday

PDX Adult Soap Box Derby PDX Adult Soap Box Derby

The 2011 PDX Adult Soap Box Derby takes place this Saturday, August 13 on Mt. Tabor.

“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 our beloved volcano for allowing us to
tickle her spine.” [more]

Alberta Street Fair 2011Alberta Street Fair

The 2011 Alberta Street Fair takes place this Saturday, August 13 on Alberta, from NE 10th through 30th.

Things kick off at 11am with the Kids Parade – which starts at 15th and ends at the 21st Avenue stage. Enjoy the line up of activities for kids and families throughout the day. [more

Baconfest!Portland Baconfest

Portland’s third annual Baconfest takes place Saturday, August 13, 2011. The street party runs from noon until 8pm at 18th and East Burnside – adjacent to the East Burn (1800 E Burnside).

Over 2000 bacon lovers attended last year’s fest, thoroughly lubricating their cardiovascular system and contributing over 900 pounds of food for the Oregon Food Bank. [more]

Outpost Block Party 6Outpost Block Party 6

The 6th annual Outpost Block Party takes place this Saturday, August 13, 2011 at Kenilworth Park (SE 32nd and Holgate) from 1pm until 10pm.

SE PORTLAND’S ORIGINAL BLOCK PARTY returns with a massive lineup, a new location, and a whole new look… BUT STILL FREE! [more]

Portland’s Black Panthers: Comic Release and PresentationPortland’s Black Panthers: Comic Release and Presentation

Join The Dill Pickle Club, Portland’s creative cultural club, on Saturday, August 13, 2011 for Portland’s Black Panthers: Comic Release and Presentation.

“The Black Panthers have a rich and important history in Portland—this new comic from the Dill Pickle Club tells their story.” [more]

Sunday

Bridge PedalBridge Pedal

Join us for the 16th anniversary celebration of Providence Bridge Pedal this Sunday!

Since 1996, Providence Bridge Pedal has grown to be a signature event on Portland’s summer event calendar. It offers you the one opportunity each year to enjoy the Willamette River bridges – including the top decks of the Fremont and Marquam bridges – from the best possible vantage point: the seat of a bicycle. [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, PDX Pipeline, and Oregon Events at OregonLive.com.

Portland Baconfest 2011

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2012 Baconfest details here!

Baconfest!Portland’s third annual Baconfest takes place Saturday, August 13, 2011. The street party runs from noon until 8pm at 18th and East Burnside – adjacent to the East Burn (1800 E Burnside).

Over 2000 bacon lovers attended last year’s fest, thoroughly lubricating their cardiovascular system and contributing over 900 pounds of food for the Oregon Food Bank.

The Baconfest features vendors such as Hopworks Urban Brewery, Tim’s Chips, Baconshirts.com, Bakon Vodka, and more. In addition the Timbers Army Truck will be there, and the fine folks of Cascadia.FM.

Entertainment includes live bands and the services of DJ Mel.

Festival goers can compete in The Bacon Toss, The Wacky Bacon Eating Contest, Giant Bacon Twister, The Greasy Bacon Foot Challenge, The Bacon Dance Off, or The Bacon Art Wall for fabulous prizes.

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.