Hot enough for you?? Yeah, us too. One way to beat the heat is to hop into a Big Pool of Cool (H2O). Check out our list of local public pools by clicking here.
On to the weekend! It’s Prime Family-Friendly Festival Time. On tap this weekend are the Robin Hood Festival (Sherwood), Battle Ground Harvest Days, the Portland Highland Games (Gresham), the West Linn Old time Fair and da Vinci Days (Corvallis). Click here for details on all of these.
We’ve got a few suggestions for other family fun below. But check our online calendar for much, much more! Stay cool!

All Weekend
Yoshida’s Sand in the City. Pioneer Courthouse Square turns into a sand sculpture gallery. All ages. 10 am to 4 pm July 17 sculptors turn 450 tons of sand into incredible creations; from 5 to 9 pm admire the work and enjoy entertainment. 10 am to 9 pm July 18 and 10 am to 4 pm July 19. Kids’ Inspiration Center open 10 am to 4 pm July 17, 10 am to 5 pm July 18 and 10 am to 4 pm July 19. $3 donation per person/$10 per family. Pioneer Courthouse Square, 701 SW 6th St. 503-736-3200. www.pioneercourthousesquare.org.
The Wizard of Oz. The New Century Players and kids from youth theater camp present this classic. Best for elementary and up. 7:30 pm July 17, 18, 23, 24 and 25. 2 pm July 19 and 26. $15 adults, $12 students. Rex Putnam High School Main Stage, 4950 SE Roethe Rd., Milwaukie. 503-367-2620. www.newcenturyplayers.org.
Romeo and Juliet. Bag & Baggage Productions performs the Bard’s romantic tragedy al fresco. Best for older elementary. 7:30 pm July 17, 18, 19, 23, 24, 25, 26, 30 and 31. $18, $15 students. Bring a lawn chair or cushion, seating area is concrete. Tom Hughes Civic Center Plaza, between 1st and 2d on Main St., Hillsboro. 503-516-4840. www.bagnbaggage.org.
Wind in the Willows. The Magenta Theater Company presents this classic children’s tale. Ages 4 and up. 7 pm July 9, 10, 11, 17, 18, 23 and 24. 2 pm July 25. $14 to $10 to $14.
606 Main St., Vancouver. 360-635-4358. www.magentatheater.com.

Saturday, July 18
Bella Stella Grand Opening Event. Bella Stella invites all families to attend the grand opening of Bella Stella Big Kids Resale, expansion of Bella Stella Baby, and launch of www.bellastellababy.com. Enjoy face painting, live music, arts & crafts, and an art show from The Ivy Studio. With any purchase, guests receive a raffle ticket to win prizes/gift certificates from neighboring businesses. 11 am to 7 pm. Free. Bella Stella Big Kids Resale, 2635 NE Broadway. 503-284-4636. www.bellastellababy.com.
Gresham Art Walk. Music, kids’ crafts, art to buy and more. All ages. 9 am to 5 pm. Free. Main Ave. between First and Fifth Sts. 503-661-9255. www.greshamartwalk.com.
Hawaii-A-Ween. Festivities start at 2 pm with a Surf Dance Party, followed by Zombi Hula Dancing Girls, Astounding Acrobats, Portland Organic Wrestling and more. Other highlights include a mini maze “haunt”, face painting, balloon art, food for purchase and vendors. All ages. 2 to 10 pm. $3 ages 10 and up; free if wearing Hawaiian/Monster costume. Voodoo Doughnut, Too on the corner of NE 15th at Sandy Blvd. 971-255-1398.
Family Nature Walk. Hike the 3.8 miles from lower Macleay Park to Pittock Mansion in Forest Park. Best for families with kids 5 and up. 9 am to noon. $2 donation to Sierra Club appreciated. Pre-registration is required. 503-282-2905. www.oregon.sierraclub.org/groups/columbia/outings.

Sunday, July 19
Sunday Parkways. Streets are blocked off and everyone can bike, blade or stroll. Entertainment, activities and food vendors. All ages. 9 am to 4 pm. Free. Winds through a 6.6 mile loop in Northeast Portland, along Ainsworth, 37th, 47th and 17th. See the Web site for complete route. 503-823-5185. www.portlandsundayparkways.org.
Free Museum Family Day. Special family friendly activities to celebrate the Portland Art Museum’s newly acquired sculpture of Ganesha, the elephant-headed Hindu god. All ages. Noon to 4 pm. Free admission. 1219 SW Park Ave. 503-226-2811. www.pam.org.
Forest Music. Enjoy some great music in the beauty of the woods. All ages. 2 to 3 pm. Free. July 19: Innisfree (Irish music). Tryon Creek State Park, 11321 SW Terwilliger Blvd. 503-636-4398. www.tryonfriends.org.

July 17th, 2009 | Category: Metro Parent