Dave Knows Portland

Portland Fourth of July Weekend Amusements (2011)

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Enjoy the barbecues, and rejoice for the forecast for the 4th of July looks great!

All weekend

Waterfront Blues FestivalWaterfront Blues Festival

Thrill to the best blues in the world while relaxing on the banks of the beautiful Willamette River – all the while smiling at the thought that you are helping Oregon Food Bank fight hunger. That’s the magic of the 2011 Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival, July 1 to 4, in Portland, Ore. [more]

Friday

The RockThe Cort and Fatboy Midnight Movie: The Rock

Truly, the Birth of Bayhem as we know it, screened in 35mm, unapologetically, and without remorse. Yeah, this isn’t like us. We know. But sometimes, you just gotta say “Oh, why not!” and drive a bright yellow ferrari through a plate glass window while screaming profanities and firing guns out the window. You only get to be the Rocket Man once. [more]

Saturday

Portland TimbersPortland Timbers vs Sporting Kansas City

The Portland Timbers (5-7-3) meet Sporting Kansas City (4-6-5) for the first time ever on Saturday at Jeld-Wen Field. Kickoff is at 8pm.

The Timbers, struggling to play consistently are coming off their worst loss of the season last week in Dallas. Kansas City, though near the bottom of the Eastern Conference standing, are in fine form lately, undefeated in their last 7 regular season matches (and last 9 including U.S. Open Cup matches).

Movies in ParksMovies in the Park

The second 2011 installment of Portland Parks and Recreation movies in the park takes place Saturday, July 2 at Harrison Park. The film is The Blind Side.

Pre-movie entertainment begins at 6:30pm and movies begin as soon as it’s dark. [more]

Monday

Fireworks!4th of July Fireworks in Portland

There will be several fireworks shows in the Portland area on Monday, July 4th 2011. All of the shows listed below can be viewed from the sponsoring event venues, or the surrounding area – I suggest finding a tall building or nearby hill for the best viewing!

For the full list, click here!

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.

4th of July Fireworks in Portland (2011)

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2012 Fireworks Post HERE!

Fireworks!Fort Vancouver

This has traditionally been one of the largest fireworks displays west of the Mississippi River. The show starts at 10:05pm, and can be seen from miles around, but is best seen from the north side of the Columbia. The fireworks show is the climax to a day of festivities at the fort – visit the website for more information, including admission prices and entertainment schedules.

Waterfront Blues Festival

Also starting at 10:05pm, this display at Tom McCall Waterfront Park, is the largest fireworks show in Oregon. Viewable from anyplace around town that has a nice view of downtown. Of course if you’re attending the blues festival, you’ll have a great view.

Oaks Park

Also on the Willamette, the Oaks Park 4th of July Spectacular starts at dusk. Viewable from parts of SE Portland and of course at the park, where if the weather’s nice, you might consider picnicking. Admission for July 4th is $5 ($3 for seniors 62 and up, and $2 for kids 15 and younger). No personal fireworks or alcohol allowed in the park! Ride bracelets valid until midnight, and there will be live music and entertainment throughout the day. Summertime at Oaks Park can be blissful.

Corbett Fun Festival

The Corbett Fun Festival celebrates its 40th year with an annual parade, live music, and of course: Fireworks – around 10pm. The display is one of the largest in the Portland area.

June 7, 1985: The Goonies Released to Theaters

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Oregon Film Museum (formerly Clatsop County Jail)The Goonies opened in theaters on June 7, 1985. The Oregonian film reviewer Ted Mahar’s description of the film appeared in the paper that day:

“Goonies,” is a whizzingly paced adventure comedy about eight misfits who have the time (and fright) of their lives when one of them literally stumbled across a pirate treasure map. But while pursuing the treasure, they are also fleeing two cretinous bandit brothers and their gun moll mom through a dangerous maze of caves.

Personally I would describe the film as “eight pre-teens screaming for two hours,” but apparently I’m in the minority with my distaste – the $20 million Spielberg-produced film grossed over $60 million.

Partly filmed in and around Astoria and Cannon Beach, The Goonies really hit a chord with a lot of people (i.e. pre-teens), and is celebrated to this day on the North Coast. In fact Astoria threw a Goonies 25th Anniversary Celebration in 2010, and Mayer Willis Van Dusen has declared today, June 7 to be Goonies Day in Astoria, Oregon. So, uh, happy Goonies Day!

Photo credit: The old Clatsop County Jail photo by Heather at Mile73.com. The film opens with the “two cretinous bandit brothers” escaping from said jail, which now houses the Oregon Film Museum.

Happy Van Holiday! (14-May-2011)

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Van HolidayWhat is Van-Holiday?

Van-Holiday is the celebration of your Inner Rock Star!

The guy who can belt out anthems that change the world. The woman who’s voice melts hearts and calls birds and small woodland creatures. The deadbeat, piece of used jet trash that can’t remember what town he’s in and never packs his own suitcase.

Each of us has one . . . simmering deep inside, waiting for that opportunity to dance on the table and release our demo.

Van-Holiday takes place every Saturday the 14th. What you do on Van-Holiday is up to you. To paraphrase the great American philosopher David Lee Roth, the beauty of Van Holiday is that there are no rules and no schools. You just make it up as you go.

WWDLRD?

The St Johns Bizarre and Parade, which take place today, strike me as very Van-Holidayish events. Or maybe the UFO Festival, hmmm . . . lots of rock star worthy events this weekend!

Van-Holiday is the brainchild of my friend Dan Ermey, who by most standards celebrates his inner rock star every day. He wants the rest of us to have our chance too. Visit the Van-Holiday website to share your Van-Holiday photos and stories! And remember the wise words of David Lee Roth, it doesn’t matter if you win or lose, it’s how good you looked!

Norwegian Constitution Day Celebration and Parade (17-May-2011)

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Join Portland’s Grieg Lodge Sons of Norway at the Norse Hall (111 NE 11th) for a celebration and parade commemorating Norway’s Constitution Day on May 17, 2011.

May Seventeenth, “Syttende Mai” (set-na-my), is Norway’s most important holiday. On this date in 1814, with the signing of the Norwegian Constitution, Norway was declared an independent country.

Admission to the celebration is free! Visit the Oslo Lounge, inside the Norse Hall, for authentic Norwegian food, music and dance performances, and other activities. Doors open at 4pm. The Grand Flag Parade starts at 6pm rain or shine, and features traditional costumes, Norwegian fjord horses, vintage cars, marching bands and more!

After the parade, back at the Norse Hall, Little Leikarringen performs, followed by a special Lapskaus Cabaret, a lively stew of Norwegian theater, music, comedy and dance. Performing in our cabaret will be local Norwegians with traditional and specially commissioned pieces.

Visit the Norse Hall website for more details.

EVERYONE MOST WELCOME!! – Alle er hjertelig Velkommen!!