Out of town — Page 14

August 6-8: Woodburn Fiesta Mexicana 2010

August 6, 2010 by Dave Knows Leave a Comment

The 47th annual Woodburn Fiesta Mexicana takes place this weekend, August 6 through 8, 2010.

The festival’s beginnings can be traced to 1964, when merchant Russell Baglien and the local Chamber of Commerce threw a small casual event at the 1/2 block library park.

After 1964, the first “Fiesta” created energy of its own. More people heard about it, more people came and today the “FIESTA” is the largest and most recognized annual event in Woodburn, as well as, the surrounding communities. The population of migrant people who came to the area to work and return to their native states has now evolved into a significant Mexican-American population; the majority are recent immigrants. Three factors worked in tandem in changing the demographics in this area or Marion County: (1) fertile soil and many crops that thrive in our climate; (2) farmers in need of expanding their agricultural products and (3) the families from the southwest who were willing to venture to the area in search of a better life. The rest is history; and each family with their own unique story on why they settled in the Woodburn area.

Today the Woodburn Fiesta features authentic food from various regions of Mexico, salsa dancing, charros, and fútbol. A Fiesta Court represents Woodburn and other communities.

The festival is held at Legion Park, and runs from noon until 11pm on Friday, 10am until11pm on Saturday, and 10am until 9pm on Sunday. Admission is only $3 for adults, $1 for those 18 and under, and infants get in free.

July 17: Portland Highland Games 2010

July 15, 2010 by Dave Knows Leave a Comment

As if there weren’t already enough things to do this weekend, the 2010 Portland Highland Games take place Saturday, July 17th at Mt. Hood Community College in Gresham, Oregon.

Spend the day among the Scots! The tradition returns and we invite you, your family and friends to join us for traditional Scottish entertainment and fun.

What will you enjoy at the Games?

Scottish dancing; piping, drumming, and fiddling competitions; athletic competitions; musical entertainment; traditional food and shopping; children’s activities; clan tents and more!

And this year, we’re thrilled that our featured guest pipe band is the six-time and reigning world champions, the Simon Fraser University Pipe Band from Vancouver, Canada. They’ll play on our field just a few weeks before heading to Scotland to defend their title!

Visit PHGA.org for the full schedule and details.

A Visit to the Enchanted Forest

July 8, 2010 by Dave Knows Leave a Comment

I was determined, this year, to visit the Enchanted Forest.

My last visit was sometime before 1983, when the Ice Mountain Bobsleds ride was built. But my memories and interest were piqued anew two years ago when Roger Tofte, the creator of the Enchanted Forest, made a special appearance at the Charles Phoenix show in Portland. When the park opened for the 2010 season in March, I began strategizing. Finally, I found my opportunity this week. Heather and I both took a day off work to celebrate her birthday, which fell on Tuesday this year. After a morning trip to another of our favorite places, Bob’s Red Mill, we jumped into the Saabaru and pointed ourselves South. Heather appeared skeptical of the Happiest Place off of I-5 in Oregon, but I believe the trip turned her into a fan.

We couldn’t have asked for better weather. It was warm and sunny, but the Enchanted Forest really is in a forest, so it was easy to stay cool in the shade. Our adventure began, of course, at the Castle, which welcomes visitors to Storybook Lane.

Below, I prepare to enter the Castle. As you can see I’m wearing appropriate Oregon amusement park togs – my Pixieland t-shirt from Vintage Roadside!

Heather began to sense the magic almost immediately upon our arrival.

The Crooked House was one of my favorites when I was a kid. Still is. The first house I owned had similar structural integrity.

The Witch is one of the most iconic, creepiest and wonderful parts of the Enchanted Forest.

We had a great time. I finally experienced the Haunted House, which as a kid I was too terrified to enter. I was a bit disappointed, however, because it was too dark to really see anything – maybe I’m just too old? The Western Town and Old Europe Village are both a hoot. Perhaps on our next visit we’ll get up the gumption to go on some rides!

For more, read Heather’s Mile73.com post: Enchanted Birthday

Thanks to Trashbag for the Enchanted Forest photo at the top. The rest of the photos were taken by Heather or me.

Things to do in Portland When it’s Hot

July 7, 2010 by Dave Knows 1 Comment

Drink beer. Many bars are air conditioned, some have fantastic patios. All sell cold beverages.

Jump in a fountain. 18 city parks feature fountains, many of which (but not all!) you can jump into. The old-school favorite is Keller Fountain Park (SW 3rd and Clay) – lots of shade too! And of course if you like screaming kids the Salmon Street fountain at Waterfront Park perfectly matches your needs.

Jump in a pool. Though summer weather only really starts after the 4th of July, Portland’s outdoor pools opened in June!

Visit a shady park. Good choices are Washington Park or Forest Park of course, but large shady trees populate a large number of Portland’s city parks. Trees grow well here!

Lounge in a hammock or lawn chair. If you’re smart, you abhor physical activity when it’s hot. Your Portland home probably doesn’t have AC, so it’s ridiculously hot inside. If you’re outside, 100 degrees isn’t that bad if you are lounging in a hammock under a shady tree with a cooler full of beer within reach. When it’s really hot it’s usually breezy too and humidity is rare around here . . .

Take public transit if you’re going anywhere. No, seriously. Avoid traveling on foot, by bike [unless you only ride down hill], or by car. The vast majority of TriMet’s fleet has pretty good AC (if that ass hat in the back will close the goddamn window), and the bus will probably be cool the moment you step on. Let the bus driver deal with the stressed out and overheated car drivers; that’s his job.

Head to the coast. It’s almost always cooler on the coast. It may even be raining. (If you’re camping on the coast, it’s definitely raining.)

Head to the mountain. 100 degrees in Portland means 80 degrees (approximately) at Government Camp, Trillium Lake or Timberline Lodge.

And if all else fails . . .

Whine about the heat [a Mile73.com classic from 2008!]. It won’t make things cooler, but it’ll make you feel better.

Any other ideas? Please leave your tips below!

Dave Goes: Astoria Scandinavian Midsummer Festival 2010

June 21, 2010 by Dave Knows 3 Comments

For the second year in a row Heather and I descended upon Astoria, Oregon for the Scandinavian Midsummer Festival.

We arrived in town Friday evening, so we missed the Coronation of Miss Scandinavia, the bonfire, and the queen’s ball. But Saturday we took in the Optog (aka the walking parade through downtown Astoria) and then made our way to Clatsop County Fairgrounds for the whole tamale. Here’s a quick, illustrated, recap (read a more thorough and better written re-cap at Mile73.com!):

At the fair entrance I made sure my allegiances were clear.

I tested out new axes for Timbers. This one wasn’t cartoony enough.

The band playing in the beer garden Saturday afternoon had this guy, on bass and oxygen.

And of course we had some beer.

Sunday after we checked out of our hotel, we wandered around the Astoria Sunday Market.

You knew Clark Gable began his acting career in Astoria, Oregon, right? Yup, just before the theater (and much of the town) burnt down. And right before he sold ties at Meier and Frank in Portland. This plaque is adjacent to the public restroom.

Finally, at noon, Fort George Brewery opened. We had a beer and headed home. Here’s Heather enjoying a crisp and hoppy oatmeal pale ale:

That’s all I got, but go visit Heather’s Mile73.com for more!

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