Dave Knows Portland

Subscribe to Dave Knows Portland by Email

Poutine Challenge at The Original: A Dinerant

by Leave a Comment

Poutine Challenge at The Original

The Original: A Dinerant (300 SW 6th), local purveyor of fine poutine (breakfast version too!), presents the Poutine Challenge:

With a fanfare of trumpets and tympanic rolls, The Original invites Portland’s dining public to take The Poutine Challenge.

The goal is to fully eat five full pounds of French fried potatoes, cheese curds and brown gravy. And you have just 30 minutes to clean your plate.

Think your appetite is up to the challenge? If you complete the challenge you earn bragging rights and a commemorative t-shirt, and your poutine is free! If you fail the challenge, you can still claim bragging rights of a sort, but you have to pony up $39.95.

Visit The Original blot for more information, including waiver form details . . .

December 2-5: Holiday Ales, ScanFair, Repeal Day, and More!

by Leave a Comment

There’s a lot going on this weekend, so choose wisely. In addition to the events featured below some ongoing options include visiting the Pittock Mansion for A Northwest Christmas: The Natural Beauty and Bounty of Oregon, and the zoo for Zoolights. Also this is a good time to visit the Architectural Heritage Center, which is offering free admission throughout December. My plan is the hit up the Ale Festival on Friday, the ScanFair and Zoolights on Saturday, and then glide through Sunday with no obligations.

All Weekend

Holiday Ale FestivalHoliday Ale Festival

The 2010 Portland Holiday Ale Festival takes place December 1 through 5 at the usual place – Pioneer Courthouse Square.

Stay warm and dry and claustrophobic under the big tent. Take the Max or bus home after you enjoy too many beers with too high an alcohol content and too much cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. [more]

Thursday

Timbers ArmyTimbers Army First Thursday

Come on out to the Bitter End Pub (1981 W Burnside) on Thursday, December 2 for the Timbers Army First Thursday.

“To put it plainly, holiday shopping is a drag. The lines, the endless quest for parking, the untold sums from your wallet…if only you had a place to go to, where you see happy smiling faces, there are drinks all around, and endless discussions about MLS 2011.” [more]

Friday-Sunday

Holiday ExpressAll Aboard the Holiday Express

The 2010 Holiday Express begins boarding on Friday, December 3.

The Oregon Pacific Railroad operated trains depart Oaks Park Station for a 40 minute ride along the river. I don’t know how he finds the time, but Santa Claus will make an appearance on each train. [more]

National GeographicNational Geographic Pre-Holiday Warehouse Sale

National Geographic is holding a Warehouse Sale at the Convention Center (777 NE MLK Jr.) on Friday, December 3 through Sunday December 5. . . .

Books are discounted 20-90%, and custom prints, and educational materials will also be available. [more]

Friday

Cort and FatboyThe Cort and Fatboy Midnight Movie: Scrooged

The final Cort and Fatboy Midnight Movie of 2010 takes place Friday, December 3 at the Bagdad Theater (3702 SE Hawthorne).

For this very special Midnight Movie event, the doors of the Bagdad open early. At 8:30pm Cort and Fatboy present Faces of Meh – Live! At 10:30pm David Walker’s Black Santa’s Revenge will be shown, followed by Scrooged at 11pm. [more]

Saturday-Sunday

ScanFairScanFair

The Scandinavian Heritage Foundation’s 26th Annual ScanFair takes place this weekend at PSU.

Come for the Scandinavian food, crafts, and the 55th crowning of Oregon’s Lucia Queen of Light. Stay for the Pickled Herring Eating Contest at noon Saturday. [more]

And for more, visit Around the Sun, Blogging Portland on the Cheap, and PDX Pipeline!

Sunday

Holiday CheerHoliday Cheer: A Celebration of Oregon Authors

The 43 Annual Holiday Cheer: A Celebration of Oregon Authors, takes place Sunday, December 5 2010 from noon until 5pm at the Oregon Historical Society (1200 SW Park).

This celebration of Oregon writers is a popular holiday tradition. Dozens of authors will be on hand displaying, autographing, and of course selling their latest works. [more]

Repeal DayA Toast To Repeal Day 2010

Sunday, December 5 2010 marks the 77th anniversary of Repeal Day, the day in 1933 when three quarters of the states ratified the 21st Amendment to the Constitution and thus repealed the federal prohibition on the sale, manufacture, and consumption of alcoholic beverages!

Every red-blooded American is obligated to toast to our brewers, vintners, distillers, distributors, publicans, bartenders, waitrons, and friends on this anniversary. [more]

September 24-26: Oktoberfest at Oaks Park 2010

by 1 Comment

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!

by Leave a Comment

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.

September 18: Scappoose Sauerkraut Festival 2010

by Leave a Comment

Scappoose Sauerkraut Festival 2010The 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!

Some of the special sauerkraut related foodstuffs available at the fest include sauerkraut ice cream, cupcakes, and the famous Scappose Sandwich!

The sauerkraut eating contest takes place on the Gazebo Stage at 2:30pm, followed by the cabbage bowling tournament between Scappoose Police and Fire.

The full main stage entertainment schedule:

8:30 Matt Moquin 5K Fun Run & Walk
Registration at Scappoose High School
9:00 Matt Moquin 5K Fun Run & Walk
From Scappoose High School to the festival grounds
10:00 Opening Ceremony
10:30 Guy Live & Miz Mary
11:30 Open Kimono
12:30 Dianna’s Formal Affair Fashion Show
1:30 Oregon Performing Arts School (OPAS School of Dance)
2:30 Sauerkraut Eating Contest followed by the Cabbage Bowling Tourney
between Scappoose Police & Fire
3:00 Lyman Louis
4:00 Scappoose High School Expose
4:30 DeNada Band
6:00 Festival closes


Photo credits: Peace Candle by Cacophony, sauerkraut by Ellywa, both at Wikipedia Commons.