CarFree — Page 4

Portland Weekend Amusements (September 21-23, 2012)

September 20, 2012 by Dave Knows Leave a Comment

Truly the best weekend of the year, the third full weekend in September never quits. My two favorite fall festivals take place this weekend, the Oaks Park Oktoberfest and the Polish Festival, and this year we also have Feast PDX, Rheinlander’s Oktoberfest, train and streetcar events, and lots more – and weather looks delightful!

Ongoing

Chapman Vaux’s Swift Watch 2012

Every September thousands of Vaux’s Swifts come to Portland. After spending their day eating bugs, the Swifts coalesce in Northwest Portland, flying in a giant undulating swirl in the sky above the school. Around sunset the swirl gets more compact, like a ground pepper tornado, and begins disappearing, measure by measure, down the chimney. On the lawn below hundreds of Portlanders stare mesmerized at the sky, from the comfort of lawn chairs and blankets. Boos erupt when opportunistic Peregrine falcons get lucky. [more]

All Weekend

Feast Portland

Feast Portland, a celebration of Oregon Bounty, takes place Thursday through Sunday, September 20 through 23, 2012.

Presented by Bon Appétit, the fest is a four-day dynamic exchange of ideas, inspiration and dialogue that Feast Portland will create with food enthusiasts from Oregon, across the U.S. and around the globe. [more]

Oaks Park Oktoberfest

The 2012 Paulaner Oktoberfest at Oaks Park takes place Friday through Sunday, September 21 through 23.

This is one of Heather‘s favorite Portland festivals, because of the weiner dog races of course. I’m especially fond of the beer and accordion music! [more]

Friday

Offbeat Belly Dance

Avast! Noble Portlanders!

This Friday! Grab your party hat and head to the Blue Monk for the September edition of Offbeat Belly Dance!

Ah yes, the Blue Monk! Home of delicious beer! Complex and intriguing mixed drinks! Tasty food! Air conditioning! [more]

Friday-Saturday

Der Rheinlander Oktoberfest

Portland, Oregon’s favorite Rheinlander Oktoberfest will be Friday, September 21st & Saturday, September 22nd. Our family day “Family Fest” on Saturday from noon – 5pm.

Raise a Stein in the Rheinlander and Gustav’s Bier Stube’s Oktoberfest beer garden on the corner of NE 50th & Sandy Blvd! [more]

Saturday-Sunday

Polish Festival

The 17th annual Portland Polish Festival, my favorite local cultural event, takes place on Saturday and Sunday, September 22 and 23, 2012.

Below the masthead on the festival website are the words: the best kept secret of Portland, Oregon. This statement hasn’t been true for several years – the Polish Fest is the premier fall festival in the Portland area. [more]

Portland VegFest 2012

Oregon’s largest plant-based food event!

VegFest celebrates and promotes sustainable, compassionate and healthy food choices and lifestyles. This low-cost, fun and food-filled event welcomes everyone! [more]

Saturday

Portland Streetcar Central Loop Grand Opening Celebration

The Portland Streetcar Central Loop Grand Opening Celebration takes place Saturday, September 22, 2012.

As part of the celebration, streetcar rides are free all day Saturday and Sunday, September 22 and 23, 2012. Catch a ride to OMSI between 7:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. to attend the celebration. Visit the Portland Streetcar website for a full schedule of celebration events. [more]

Oregon Rail Heritage Center’s Grand Opening

The grand opening celebration for the Oregon Rail Heritage Center takes place Saturday, September 22, 2012 from 10am -5pm. “See the three steam locomotives in their new home!”

Giveaways & Prizes * Live Music * Gift Shop * Kid’s Activities * Guides to tell you about us * Light Refreshments * ADA Accessible [more]

Back Fence PDX

As always we have an amazing lineup of storytellers ready to tell never-been-told-before true stories based on the theme HASHTAG NERD. From Portland: Iron Man comic book scribe, MATT FRACTION, Best Selling Thriller writer, CHELSEA CAIN, Co-host along with Felicia Day of a Geek & Sundry podcast, KIALA KAZEBEE, and Former High School Mathlete GABE CARLETON-BARNES. From Seattle: Jezebel staff writer LINDY WEST and math genius/creator of video games, BRUCE OBERG. [more]

For even more weekend events and activities, check out the Dave Knows Calendar, and visit Around the Sun, Blogging Portland on the Cheap, and Oregon Events at OregonLive.com.

Portland Streetcar Central Loop Grand Opening Celebration (22-September-2012)

September 19, 2012 by Dave Knows Leave a Comment

The Portland Streetcar Central Loop Grand Opening Celebration takes place Saturday, September 22, 2012. The celebration at the OMSI Plaza starts with speeches and a press event at 10 a.m. At 11 a.m. the first, ceremonial train departs.

The Central Loop will connect with the existing streetcar on 10th & 11th in Downtown Portland. From there it will cross the Broadway Bridge traveling along Broadway, Weidler, 7th, MLK and Grand connecting to the Rose Quarter, Lloyd District, Oregon Convention Center, the Central Eastside Industrial District and OMSI. This is the first streetcar project in the country to be funded with a Federal Grant and includes new vehicles made by United Streetcar located in Clackamas, Oregon.

As part of the celebration, streetcar rides are free all day Saturday and Sunday, September 22 and 23, 2012. Catch a ride to OMSI between 7:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. to attend the celebration. Visit the Portland Streetcar website for a full schedule of celebration events.

Portland Weekend Amusements (August 24-26, 2012)

August 23, 2012 by Dave Knows Leave a Comment

Ongoing

Portland Movies in the Park

Portland Parks and Recreation has released the 2012 summer schedule of Movies in the Park. From June 29 through September 18 sprawl out at one of Portland’s fine municipal parks several times a week for an evening of free entertainment.

Friday 8/24: Hugo @ Laurelhurst Park
Saturday 8/25: Gamera vs Zigra @ Sewallcrest Park
[more]

All Weekend

Fiesta Italiana

The 21st Festa Italiana turns Pioneer Courthouse Square into a piazza Thursday through Saturday, August 23 through 25, 2012.

One of my favorite Portland festivals, and not just because of the strolling accordionists, I recommend you arrive early to secure a table in the beer and wine garden! [more]

Saturday

Powell’s Block Party

Powell’s Books, Portland’s pride and joy and the largest independent bookstore in the world, opened 41 years ago this year on West Burnside.

Through the end of the year Powell’s is celebrating with special author events, sweepstakes, and this Saturday, August 25, 2012 – a Block Party to kick things off! [more]

UnRock the Bowl

Let’s make a beach in downtown Portland! UnRock the Bowl will take place Saturday, August 25 at Tom McCall Waterfront Park – in the grass bowl just south of Hawthorne Bridge.

Rip-wrap rocks installed in the 1980’s have migrated to the water’s edge. We will simply pick these rocks up and put them back on the bank. [more]

Cascadia Cup Match: Portland Timbers vs. Vancouver Whitecaps

Cascadian rivals Vancouver Whitecaps (10-9-7) and the Portland Timbers (5-13-6) meet again at Jeld-Wen Field on Saturday at 7:30 p.m.

The only bright spot this season is that the Timbers sit atop the Cascadia Cup standings – tied with Seattle . . . a good result against Vancouver Saturday will put them back in the driver’s seat . . .

Sunday

Southeast Portland Sunday Parkways

The fourth of five 2012 Sunday Parkways takes place this Sunday, August 26, 2012 in Southeast Portland.

From 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. wind your way on bike or foot through mostly residential streets free of car traffic, from one park to the next. This year’s route is 9 miles long. [more]

Hawthorne Street Fair

The 2012 Hawthorne Street Fair takes place Sunday, August 26, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. – on Southeast Hawthorne Boulevard.

For the fourth year running the fair coincides with the Southeast Portland Sunday Parkways . . . Most of the street fair activities take place between 12th and 51st . . . Clusters of arts, crafts, and food vendors pepper the side streets, sidewalks, and adjacent parking lots. [more]

42nd Avenue Street Fair

The third annual 42nd Avenue Street Fair takes place Sunday, August 26, 2012 at Northeast 42nd and Alberta Court.
Join the fun from noon until 5 p.m.

The fair features live music, kids’ activities, vendors, a beer garden, and more! [more]

Zack’s Shack Hot Dog Eating Contest

The 9th annual Zach’s Shack Hot Dog Eating Contest takes place Sunday, August 26, 2012 at the shack (46th and SE Hawthorne).

The entrance fee is a mere $5, and includes all the hot dogs and buns you can eat in 10 minutes – but remember, regurgitation is grounds for disqualification. No puking! Spectators get in free. Shit goes down at 4 p.m. [more]

And for even more weekend events and activities, check out the Dave Knows Calendar, and visit Around the Sun, Blogging Portland on the Cheap, and Oregon Events at OregonLive.com.

Southeast Portland Sunday Parkways (26-August-2012)

August 20, 2012 by Dave Knows Leave a Comment

The fourth of five 2012 Sunday Parkways takes place this Sunday, August 26, 2012 in Southeast Portland.

From 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. wind your way on bike or foot through mostly residential streets free of car traffic, from one park to the next. This year’s route is 9 miles long.

Spend a warm summer day walking and rolling around the Southeast Sunday Parkways…and for a challenge climb your way up Mt. Tabor! That’s right we have added Mt. Tabor back to the route. Activities, food, vendors, music, and fun will be in Laurelhurst, Colonel Summers, and Mt. Tabor Parks.

Download the PDF map and find out more at PortlandSundayParkways.org.

Alberta Street Fair (11-August-2012)

August 6, 2012 by Dave Knows Leave a Comment

The 15th annual Alberta Street Fair takes place Saturday, August 11 2012 on Alberta, from NE 10th through 30th.

Things kick off at 11 a.m. with the Kids Parade – which starts at 15th. Enjoy the line up of activities for kids and families throughout the day.

But the festival isn’t just for kids. From 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. enjoy car free streets, dozens of vendors, and the beer garden (at 11th at the Radio Room – 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.). Food carts, other food vendors, and Alberta’s restaurants will make sure you don’t starve.

Live entertainment, including music and dancing, is scheduled all day on three stages, at 11th, 21st, and 30th.

Also this year there’s a 3v3 Street Soccer tournament, and a TXAKPARTI – visit the fair website for more details.

« Previous Page