Around the Sun: A Blog About Saving Money in Portland, Oregon, and beyond

Free Events This Weekend in Portland: Sept 14–16

September 14th, 2007

Even as fall settles in, there are still tons of outdoor events going on. I think this week boasts some of the most interesting outdoor events I’ve come across over the course of writing these summaries. Have fun!

As always, admission is free for all of the events listed here.

As I mentioned last week, be sure to check the schedule for the PICA Time-Based Art Festival (TBA) for free events. Go to the Willamette Week website for a listing of all of the free TBA events, then head over to the PICA website for more information.

Friday, September 14

• El Grito, a 3-day festival celebrating Mexican Independence Day, will fill Pioneer Courthouse Square with traditional food, dancing and live music. 5:00 pm–10:00 pm. All ages. For more information, click here.

• James Faretheewell will be performing at Edgefield at 7:00 pm. 21 and over. For more information, visit the Edgefield website.

• Petty Cash will be performing at Rock Creek Tavern at 9:00 pm. All ages until 10:00 pm. For more information, visit the Rock Creek Tavern website.

Saturday, September 15

• Day 2 of El Grito, a 3-day festival celebrating Mexican Independence Day. Enjoy traditional food, dancing and live music at Pioneer Courthouse Square from 11:00 am–10:00 pm. All ages. For more information, click here.

• Under the Autumn Moon Festival celebrates the history and renewal of Portland’s Old Town/Chinatown neighborhood with events throughout the weekend. On Saturday, there will be a parade led by 25-foot dragons and lions at 10:00 am along NW Broadway south to SW Alder and back to the NW Flanders festival street along 5th avenue. Starting at 11:00 am, enjoy family entertainment throughout the day including live concerts, dance performances, Chinese puppet theatre, and more. Get a free massage from the Oregon College of Oriental Medicine booth. The day ends with fireworks and an outdoor movie showing. For more information, visit www.undertheautumnmoonfestival.com.

• Fun on Foster Festival & Foster Art Walk are taking place from SE 50th to 92nd and Foster from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. There will be tons of live music, more than 60 artists showing their work, trolley rides, and other family fun. For more information, click here. Thanks to PDX Pipeline for the heads up!

• Race Against Pollution is a family- and dog-friendly event to raise awareness and rally for a cleaner Willamette River. Sponsored by the Sierra Club, the event takes place at Sellwood Riverfront Park, located on the East side of the Willamette River at SE Spokane St & Oaks Pkwy, from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm. Activities include a kayak/canoe fun race, live music, children’s activities, and free food and beer. For more information, visit www.raceagainstpollution.org.

• The Alberta Street Fair is happening from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm. There’ll be a parade at 2:30 pm, as well as live music, vendors and children’s activities. For more information, visit www.albertastreetfair.com.

• The Nob Hill Neighborhood is hosting Fall Fest Northwest 2007, a family-friendly festival of live music, artisan booths, al-fresco dining, a silent auction, children’s activities, and more. Proceeds from the event and auction will be donated to the Chapman Educational Foundation to help fund student programs and classroom equipment. The event takes place at Wallace Park, NW 25th Avenue and Pettygrove, from noon to 8:00 pm. For more information, click here.

• Village of Willamette Arts Festival is a 2-day event featuring the work of 60 artists from the Northwest, as well as live music and food. The festival takes place in West Linn at 12th Street & Willamette Falls Drive, 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. For more information, visit www.villageofwillametteartsfestival.com.

• Aquifer Adventure is a pirate-themed treasure hunt sponsored by the Portland Water Bureau and the Columbia Slough Watershed Council. According to the website: “The event celebrates the importance of our own hidden treasure, groundwater, a crucial component of the region’s drinking water system….This year’s highlights are free canoe trips for intrepid treasure hunters and music by Sky in the Road. Treasure seekers will paddle the slough with an experienced pirate on safe and stable canoe-bimarans and participate in hands-on activities and games.” The event takes place from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm starting at the Portland Water Bureau canoe launch at NE 166th at Airport Way. For more information, click here. Thanks Metroblogging Portland for the heads up!

• 2007 Build It Green! Information Fair will be taking place at Environmental Building Supplies, 819 SE Taylor Street, from 4:30 pm to 7:00 pm. You’ll get the chance to talk with green building contractors, vendors and suppliers, as well as enjoy free refreshments, green building demonstrations, live music and more. Click here for more information. Thanks Metroblogging Portland for the heads up!

• Slabtown Community Festival is a family-friendly event to “celebrate one of Portland’s most vital and historic neighborhoods and bring together the people who give it life and personality.” The festival features children’s craft tables, merchant and vendor booths, Slabtown history exhibits, a dunk tank, a food & beer garden and a variety of live music and theater. Admission is free, and any profit made will be donated to Friendly House Neighborhood Center. The event will be held in the Con-way lot at NW 23rd & Savier from 11:00 am to 8:00 pm. Check the McMenamins website for more information.

• Explore the world of letterpress printing by bike with the Independent Publishing Resource Center (IPRC). The ride starts at 12:45 pm with a tour of IPRC’s letterpress room and ends at Textura/INK-A! Press in Sellwood. All ages are welcome. The ride will be leisurely and social and loop back to the start. No need to sign up. For more information, visit www.iprc.org.

• Beaverton’s Celebration Parade will be making its way through downtown Beaverton starting at 10:00 am. For more information, click here.

• The Old Yellers will be performing at Rock Creek Tavern at 9:00 pm. All ages until 10:00 pm. For more information, visit the Rock Creek Tavern website.

• Vivid Curve will be performing at Edgefield at 7:00 pm. 21 and over. For more information, visit the Edgefield website.

• Kool & The Gang will be performing at Music Millennium East (3158 E Burnside) at 4:00 pm. For more information, visit the Music Millennium website.

Sunday, September 16

• Final day of El Grito, a festival celebrating Mexican Independence Day. Enjoy traditional food, dancing and live music at Pioneer Courthouse Square from 11:00 am–8:00 pm. All ages. For more information, click here.

• Under the Autumn Moon Festival: As part of the festival today, admission to the Classical Chinese Garden will be free. Also, enjoy music and other performances on festival grounds at NW Davis and Flanders between Third and Fourth Avenues. Get a free massage from the Oregon College of Oriental Medicine booth. For more information, visit www.undertheautumnmoonfestival.com.

• Wheatfield (country rock) will be performing at Lents Park (concert gazebo south of stadium at SE 92nd & Holgate) at 3:00 pm. For more information, visit the Portland Parks website.

• Final day of the Village of Willamette Arts Festival, a 2-day event featuring the work of 60 artists from the Northwest, as well as live music and food. The festival takes place in West Linn at 12th Street & Willamette Falls Drive, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. For more information, visit www.villageofwillametteartsfestival.com.

• Lake Grove Village Days is a family-friendly festival in Lake Oswego. There’ll be games, live music, and food. The event takes place at Lake Grove Elementary School, 15777 Boones Ferry Road, 1:00 pm to 7:00 pm. For more information, click here.

• Billy Kennedy will be performing at Edgefield at 5:00 pm. 21 and over. For more information, visit the Edgefield website.

• The Church of Craft is having its monthly meeting. Learn to make Recycled Bottle Bracelets. For more information, click here.

If you know of any other free events happening this weekend, please write a comment about it. If you’d like me to include an event in a future round-up, feel free to contact me.

Entry Filed under: Charity,Children,Classes,Entertainment,Environment,Events,Food,Free,Frugal living,Kids,Movies,Music,Portland,Theater,Workshops