An eclectic weekend awaits area families: from pirates and gem shows to healthy kids’ fairs and wiener dog races. Check our online calendar for even more possibilities.
All weekend
Portland Pirate Festival. Avast me hearties! Drop anchor and come ashore at Cathedral Park Sept. 19 and 20 and enjoy pirate music, cannon and sword shows, entertainment, inflatables, games and pirate activities for the whole family. Costumes encouraged, especially Sept. 20 at 2 pm when the festival attempts to break the Guinness record for Largest Gathering of Pirates (see Web site for details). All ages. 10 am to 10 pm Sept. 19. 10 am to 6 pm Sept. 20. $15 ages 13 and up, $8 ages 3 to 12, free 2 and under, discount for advance purchase, service charges apply at some outlets. Cathedral Park, N Edison and Pittsburgh. 503-853-1497. www.portlandpiratefestival.com.
Portland Regional Gem and Mineral Show. Demonstrations, educational programs and lots of cool rocks to see and buy. All ages. 10 am to 6 pm Sept. 18 and 19. 10 am to 5 pm Sept. 20. $5, ages 12 and under free with adult. Washington County Fair Complex, 873 NE 34th Ave., Hillsboro. 503-666-2905. www.iinet.com/~prgmsa/
Ringling Bros, Barnum & Bailey Circus. Catch Zang, Zang, Zoom, the greatest show on earth. All ages. 7:30 pm Sept. 16, 17, 18 and 19. 11:30 am and 3:30 pm Sept. 19 and 20. $16 to $82, plus service charges. Rose Garden, One Center Court. 503-797-9619. www.rosequarter.com.
Mt. Angel Oktoberfest. Four music stages, “kindergarten” with rides and shows, dancing and, of course, the thrilling wiener dog races. All ages. Most events free, charge for food, drink and vendors. 11 am to midnight Sept. 17, 18, 19. 11 am to 9:30 pm Sept. 20. From north, take exit 271 off I-5 and then follow Hwy. 214 to Mt. Angel. 503-845-9440. www.oktoberfest.org.
Saturday, Sept. 19
Legacy Mt. Hood Healthy Kids Fair. Teddy Bear clinic, emergency vehicles, low cost immunizations and more. Helmets available for $5 each, staff will fit your new helmet or an old one. Recycle old helmets. 10 am to 2 pm. Free. Legacy Mt. Hood Medical Center, 24800 SE Stark, Gresham. www.legacyhealth.org.
Healthy Kids Day. Doernbecher Children’s Hospital and Kohl’s team up to present a day of free, fun activities dedicated to children’s health, including rock climbing, skateboarding, healthy snacks, entertainment and more. 10 am to 4 pm. Free. Overlook Park, N. Interstate & Fremont. 503-494-6513. www.doernbecherfoundation.org.
Forest Grove Chalk Art Festival. Create a masterpiece on the sidewalk. Entertainment, vendors and more. All ages. Registration 9 am to 3 pm. $10 to draw, free to watch. Main Street, Forest Grove. 503-357-3703. www.valleyart.org.
Family Nature Walk. Take a 3.5 mile loop hike at Powell Butte, takes 1.5 to 2 hours. Best for families with kids ages 5 and up. 9 am. $2 suggested donation, pre-registration required. Meet at Powell Butte Nature Park Trailhead, 16160 SE Powell Blvd. 503-282-2905. www.oregon.sierraclub.org/groups/columbia/outings.
Harvest Festival. Pumpkin painting, music, food sampling and more. All ages. 9 am to 5 pm. Most activities free with admission of $8 ages 1 through 54, free under 1. Portland Children’s Museum, 4015 SW Canyon Road. 503-223-6500. www.portlandcm.org.
Family Day at Oregon Historical Society. Learn about the role of the Vancouver Avenue Baptist Church in Portland’s history and design a paper stained glass window. All ages. Activities 11 am to 3 pm. Up to 2 kids (18 or under) get in free with paid adult. $11 adult. 1200 SW Park Ave. 503-306-5198. www.ohs.org.
Sunday, Sept. 20
Corn Roast. Celebrate Forest Grove with kids’ activities, entertainment, displays and yummy corn. All ages. 1 to 5 pm. Free, vendors charge. Pacific University, 2043 College Way. 503-357-3006. www.fgchamber.org.
Doggie Palooza. Well-behaved pooches welcome for this dog fair with lots of cool dog stuff to look at and buy, plus dog parade. All ages. 10 am to 5 pm. $8 adults, $5 children 3 through 18, free under 3. World Forestry Center, 4033 SW Canyon Road. 503-228-1367. www.worldforestry.org.
September 18th, 2009 | Category: Metro Parent
