Dave Knows Portland

August 13-15: Twilight Criterium, Crawfish Fest, Soapbox Derby, Hawthorne Street Fair & More!

by Leave a Comment

This weekend is going to be hot, and it’s going to be epic. Check out the featured and recommended events below, and visit Around the Sun and PDX Pipeline for more!

Friday

Twilight Criterium2010 Twilight Criterium

The 2010 Portland Twilight Criterium takes place Friday, August 13 in the North Park Blocks (near NW 9th and Couch).

I recommend watching from the Widmer beer garden. The event opens at 4pm, and racing begins at 6:30pm. [more]

Friday-Saturday

Tualatin Crawfish Festival 2010Tualatin Crawfish Festival 2010

The 60th Tualatin Crawfish Festival takes place this Friday and Saturday, August 13 and 14, 2010.

Did you know that Oregon is the second largest commercial producer of crawfish in the country (with 10%), after Louisiana (90%)? I didn’t know either, but that’s impressive, eh? [more]

Saturday

Soap Box DerbyPDX Adult Soapbox Derby 2010

The 2010 PDX Adult Soapbox Derby takes place Saturday, August 14 at Mount Tabor.

The 2010 roster includes 42 teams, divided into two categories: art, and science.

Watch from one of the designated viewing areas, one option is the BYOB beer garden. [more]


Central Library Block PartyCentral Library Block Party 2010

The 2010 Central Library Block Party takes place Saturday, August 14 from noon until 3pm on SW Taylor between 10th and 11th Avenues.

This event is primarily for the kids. The Lions of Batucada will be on hand to provide some samba-style percussion, and activities include henna craft with Silk and Stone, bug petting with the Oregon Zoo, circus skills with W.E. C.A.R.E., and Seussical bouquets with artist Kathy Karbo. [more]

Sunday

Sunday ParkwaysSoutheast Portland Sunday Parkways

The fourth Sunday Parkways of 2010 takes place Sunday, August 15 in Southeast Portland.

This is an opportunity to spend a pleasant summery Sunday morning and afternoon (10am to 3pm) winding your way on bike or foot through the mostly residential, car free, streets of Southeast Portland. The eight mile route take you from one park to the next, where you can check out the vendors and demonstrations, or just sit down and relax. [more]


Hawthorne Street Fair 2010Hawthorne Street Fair 2010

The 2010 Hawthorne Street Fair takes place Sunday, August 15 from 11am until 5pm. . .

Fair activities can be found all along Hawthorne, but especially between 30th and 43rd. [more]

India FestivalIndia Festival 2010

Come to Pioneer Square to experience the sights and sounds of India and the Subcontinent Sunday August 15 from 11am-9pm at the India Festival 2010. There will be music and dance exhibitions, as well as food! [more]

August 7: Fremont Festival 2010, and Pub Crawl

by Leave a Comment

Fremont Fest 2010The 2010 Fremont Festival takes place Saturday, August 7th on NE Fremont between 42st and 50th.

Presented by the Beaumont Business Association, the Fremont Fest features a parade, fun runs, a fashion show, live music, horse and wagon rides, a homemade salsa challenge, and of course local artisans and vendors.

The fest runs from 10am until 5pm.

The Kids’ Zone features a petting zoo, a cake walk, bounce houses, and a pie eating contest!

A Pub Crawl, from noon until 4pm, is part of the festivities too! At tables near the main stage and Doc George’s Jazz Kitchen (4605 NE Fremont) pick up your mug and 5 tokens for $10 ($1 each additional taste). Then stop in at the Alameda Brewhouse, McPeet’s Pub, Pizzicato, Soluna Grill, and the Beaumont Market for special beers (visit the Oregon Brewers Guild blog for more details, including the specially available beers).

Portland fashion and style blog, The Neat Sheet, has a good write up about the fest here: Fremont Fest 2010! Arts, shops, music + more

Visit the Beaumont Business Association website, or the fest’s Facebook page for more information.

July 31-August 1: Bones and Brews 2010

by Leave a Comment

Bones and BrewsThe 16th annual Bones and Brews fest takes place both Saturday, July 31st (11am-9pm) and Sunday, August 1st (11am-5pm) up on NW 15th between Everett and Glisan. The event is a benefit for the Oregon Zoo – last year’s event raised over $10000!

Over 30 beers will be available to accompany the BBQ from various vendors, a BBQ contest, and the Kobe Bleu Ball eating contest!

There’s also a charity dog wash and live music. Kids and dogs are welcome. Admission is only a $3 suggested donation.

July 24: Division / Clinton Street Fair and Parade 2010

by Leave a Comment

Update: I just received confirmation that Hammy’s Pizza (2114 SE Clinton) is once again this year hosting a pizza eating contest during the street fair – at 1pm Saturday! Visit Hammy’s for details!

2010 Division Clinton Street FairThe 18th annual Division/Clinton Street Fair and parade takes place Saturday, July 24th, along SE Division and Clinton Streets from 12th through 60th.

The parade begins at 10:45am near SE 50th and Division. The route terminates at SE 28th and Clinton Street.

At 7 Corners (SE 19th and Division) Roots of Our Neighborhood, sponsored by the Hosford-Abernathy Neighborhood Development Association, features music, a neighborhood history exhibit, and activities for kids from 11am until 5pm.

Meanwhile over 80 vendors will be offering food and street fair fare. Multiple music stages feature everything from acoustic klezmer to punk rock (the full lineup is available at the Division Clinton website).

The fair runs from 10am to 5pm, with the street dance at SE 25th and Clinton continuing until 9pm.

February 13, 16: Mardi Gras on Historic Mississippi Avenue

by Leave a Comment

Mardi Gras on Mississippi AveWhy wait until Tuesday? Celebrate Mardi Gras on Historic Mississippi Avenue, Saturday, February 13.

Join us Saturday February 13 for a day filled with family fun and celebrating Mardi Gras! There will be mask making, and bike decorating at the Q Center with face painting and balloon artists. Then you and the kids can join in on our Moving Street Parade at 3:00pm which starts at Skidmore and ends at Fremont. Follow that up with photos and puppet show from Mudeye Puppet Company at the Mississippi Pizza Pub.

So yeah, Saturday’s Mardi Gras celebration on Saturday, is decidedly “family-friendly”.

But return, sans children, to the Boise neighborhood on the real Fat Tuesday, February 16th for more fun, including:

Mississippi Pizza and Pub‘s (3552 N Mississippi) first ever pizza eating contest!

Miss Delta (3950 N Mississippi), from 5pm until 10pm, will be offering live music, cool drinks, dancing girls and soul food.

Gumbo Gallery (3636 N Mississippi, Suite B) will be hosting a “Happy Hour Sale” from 5-7pm: Reduced prices on Mardi Gras party hats and beads, novelty eye-glasses, eye masks, feather boas and umbrellas.

Casa Naranja (4205 N Mississippi) will feature live old time 20s and 30s blues music with Steve Cheeseborough, and Hurricane drink specials.

And ¿Por qué No? (3524 N Mississippi) will be offering special Mardi Gras inspired martinis.