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Multnomah County Fair 2016

May 25, 2016 by Dave Knows 1 Comment

Multnomah County Fair 2016

The 2016 Multnomah County Fair takes place Memorial Day weekend at Portland’s historic Oaks Park.

This is one of my favorite local events, and not just because of the bunnies. Check out the highlights of our visit in 2010.

Bunny hat-trick

Activities include petting zoo, a magic show, pony and camel rides, and some sort of weird robotic stuffed animal rides, $5 for 5 minutes!

Enjoy live music and dance performances on two stages all weekend. On Saturday afternoon, on the main stage, don’t miss the talent competition.

And true to the county fair genre, exhibitors include 4H, a rabbit showcase (!), and amateur competitions in art, photography, floral arrangement, crafts, and more.

Tiny Carrots

Last but not least, don’t forget the Oaks Park thrill rides – here’s your chance to ride Looping Thunder, Portland’s, uh, biggest roller coaster!

The fair runs noon until 7 PM Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. Admission – and parking – is free.

Darcelle XV: An Oregon Experience Film Premiere (23 May 2016)

May 23, 2016 by Dave Knows Leave a Comment

Street Scene with Darcelle XV Female Impersonators Sign
By Adam Jones, Ph.D. – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=22223888

Darcelle XV: An Oregon Experience Film Premiere is the latest History Pub at the Kennedy School (5736 NE 33rd), on Monday, 23 April 2016.

Join us for the premiere screening of Darcelle XV: An Oregon Experience, including a conversation with the documentary’s producer, Kami Horton and commentary by Darcelle. Darcelle XV is likely the country’s oldest performing female impersonator, and operates what is thought to be the nation’s longest-running drag revue. At 85-years old, Darcelle is a Portland icon who has helped usher in dramatic change within the LGBT community.

History Pub is presented by McMenamins, Oregon Historical Society, the Oregon Cultural Trust, and the Holy Names Heritage Center. This event is free and open to all ages. Doors open at 6 PM, and the talk begins at 7 PM.

Portland Weekend Amusements (20-22 May 2016)

May 19, 2016 by Dave Knows Leave a Comment

Very Portland Weekend ahead: an art walk, a market – at night, unconventional transit, the Timbers, and more!

Saturday-Sunday

Mt. Tabor Art Walk

Mt. Tabor Art Walk 2016The 2016 Mt. Tabor Art Walk takes place this weekend – Saturday and Sunday, May 21-22, on and around Mount Tabor.

The Mt. Tabor Art Walk showcases the many artists who live in this neighborhood. It is designed to promote high-quality visual art in a variety of media within the unique setting of the Mt. Tabor neighborhood.

PDX Night Market

Portland Night Market100 of Portland’s best vendors celebrating local food, culture, music, drinks and retail.

The Portland Night Market showcases the many unique & diverse businesses that call the great City of Portland home. Blending food, culture, music, drinks and retail together for an adventurous evening in the Industrial District. The event allows people to meet some of Portland’s best makers and creators set in the unique venue of a 100+ year old produce row warehouse. The PNM is a free event and open to all ages.

Sunday

Tram Sunday Kick Off

Photo credit: Tram photo by Wikipedia user Cacophony. Used under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.5 Generic license.
Photo credit: Tram photo by Wikipedia user Cacophony. Used under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.5 Generic license.
Sundays at the Tram are back! Kids and parents can expect face-painting, fun craft activities, a free Tram activity book and temporary Tram tattoo. Great views from the Tram and the Observation Deck will delight the whole family.

The Tram will be open 1 to 5pm. Children 6 and under ride free with a paying adult.

Portland Timbers vs. Vancouver Whitecaps

Timbers LogoCascadian rival Vancouver Whitecaps visit Providence Park on Sunday, 22 May 2016 to face the slumping Portland Timbers.

The Timbers, in second to last place in the conference standings, hope to gain something resembling good form after two consecutive losses on the road, and one at home last Sunday to NYC FC.

In contrast, the Whitecaps are third in the standings and in fine form – winners of their last three matches including May 7th’s 2-1 defeat of Portland.

The match begins at 1:30 PM.

Science Pub Portland: Backyard Bees (17 May 2016)

May 16, 2016 by Dave Knows Leave a Comment

OMSI Science PubOMSI presents Science Pub Portland: Getting to Know the Bees in Your Backyard on Tuesday, 17 May 2016 at the Empirical Theater at OMSI (1945 SE Water Ave.).

Bees are arguably one of the most important insect groups on the planet. Despite their importance, bees are remarkably misunderstood by most people. For example, it is commonly thought that the U.S. and Canada are home to just a handful of bumble bees, sweat bees, and honey bees. In fact there are over 4,000 species. Many people list ‘hives’ ‘stings’ and ‘colony collapse disorder’ among ‘facts’ about bees. The truth is infinitely more fascinating than this simple list suggests, filled with the same twists and turns, complexities, horrors, and delights that an hour long television show provides each evening. This talk aims to dispel the common myths of bees, and will provide engaging accounts of the bees encountered in this region of the world, with clues for telling these stunning creatures apart.

The presenter is Joe Wilson, assistant professor of biology at Utah State University – Tooele (USU).

The Portland Science Pub takes place monthly at the Empirical Theater at OMSI. Check in at the theater entrance to reserve your seat (doors open at 5 PM) – there’s a $5 suggested admission. Food – which you’re welcome to bring into the theater for the show – in available at the restaurant Theory or the Empirical Café. Theory serves wood fire pizza, salads and salt & straw ice cream.

Parking is free for the event, but OMSI is mere steps away from the Tilikum Crossing buses, streetcar, and MAX; and only a few blocks from the Hawthorne Bridge’s multiple bus lines.

Portland Weekend Amusements (13-15 May 2016)

May 12, 2016 by Dave Knows Leave a Comment

Street Fair season has arrived, just as the rainy weather returns. Of course. Belgian beer and a Timbers match too though, so it’s going to be a lovely weekend all around.

Friday-Saturday

Cheers to Belgian Beers

Cheers to Belgian Beers 2016Cheers to Belgian Beers is back for its 10th year in 2016. The Belgian-style Beer Festival will feature a single yeast strain, with which brewers will brew a unique Belgian Style beer. This year the yeast strain is 58 Lioness. In order to demonstrate the diversity the yeast strain, as well as show off the creativity of Oregon Craft Brewers, the color and strength of each brewer’s beer is determined by a dart throw. When Portland’s Cheers to Belgian Beers started in 2007, it was to help introduce Oregonians to the breadth of style and flavors of beers brewed in Belgium. The 2015 Cheers to Belgian Beers featured 60 beers from 57 brewing companies.

Saturday

Portland Train Day 2016Portland National Train Day 2016

Trains, trains, trains! What better way to celebrate Portland Train Day than at Oregon Rail Heritage Center – the only working rail museum in Portland? Oregon Rail Heritage Foundation is resurrecting Portland’s celebration of trains with the first annual Portland Train Day. ORHF’s Portland Train Day joins Train Days across the country in commemorating the completion of the first transcontinental railroad with the pounding of the ‘Golden Spike’ at Promontory Summit, Utah on May 10, 1869.

St. Johns Bizarre

St Johns Bizarre 2016The St Johns Bizarre is a uniquely-crafted celebration that kicks off the summer street fair season in Portland. Held annually on the second Saturday in May, the Bizarre brings music, crafts, and food to the crowds attending the St Johns Parade, now in its 54th year. After the parade, the entire six block area of the business district in the St. Johns is closed to traffic, and filled with over 70 juried craft vendors, several stages for music, great food, and tons of games and activities. It’s an amazing community event with something for everyone. The event is free.

Sunday

Sunday Parkways – East

Sunday ParkwaysCity of Portland Sunday Parkways presented by Kaiser Permanente promotes healthy active living through a series of free events opening the city’s largest public space – its streets – to walk, bike, roll, and discover active transportation while fostering civic pride, stimulating economic development, and represents the community, business, and government investments in Portland’s vitality, livability, and diversity.

Kenton Street Fair

Kenton Street Fair 2016The 7th annual Kenton Street Fair, an annual celebration of diverse and engaged communities aimed at promoting local growth and a sustainable future for Historic Kenton, takes place Sunday, 15 May 2016 in the Kenton Business District on North Denver Avenue (between N. Willis & N. Watts).

The festivities include live music performances on multiple stages, a children’s parade and other activities for the kids, vendors galore, and a whole bunch of people dressed as Paul Bunyon!

Portland Timbers vs. NYC FC

Timbers LogoNew York City Football Club visit Providence Park on Sunday, 15 May 2016 to face the Portland Timbers.

The Timbers aim to regain form after two consecutive losses on the road. NYC FC, winners of their last two matches, hopes to continue their recent strong form against Portland.

The match begins at 4:30 PM.

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