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

Free Events in Portland: September 23–25

September 21st, 2011

Looking at the list this week, all I can say is WOW!

Note: Events offer free admission, but might charge for activities or food and drink.

Events are sorted by start time.

Friday, September 23

Indian Day Celebration/Dancing in the Square Pow-Wow: The event includes Northwest tribal leaders, Indian advocates, drum groups, dancers, and arts and crafts vendors. Pioneer Courthouse Square, 12:00 pm to 7:00 pm.

“Quite Enough of Calvin Trillin: Forty Years of Funny Stuff”: Trillin will talk about his book, a collection of his best work. Powell’s City of Books on Burnside, 7:30 pm.

Saturday, September 24

Museum Day: Visit one of a dozen museums today for free with your Museum Day Ticket. Go to the website for details. Sponsored by Smithsonian magazine.

National Public Lands Day: An opportunity to be a part of the largest volunteer event dedicated to cleaning up parks across the country. Check the website for a participating park near you. Some events require an RSVP. 9:00 am to 12:00 pm.

Oregon Flock & Fiber Festival: Livestock shows, kids activities, spinning demos, and more. “Our Mission is to exhibit and demonstrate the full spectrum of natural fibers … from the animal or raw fiber to the finished product.” 694 NE 4th Avenue, Canby. Saturday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Sunday, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm.

Reed College Centennial Community Day Celebration: A full day of activities for all ages starting at 9:30 am and culminating in a fireworks show at 9:00 pm. Kids activities, rugby match, movies, music, pet parade, tours, Portland Taiko, and much more.

Fun on Foster: Block party, cruise-in, live music, sidewalk sales, food and drink specials, and more. 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. SE Foster Road from 49th to 93rd.

Gresham Teddy Bear Parade/Transportation Fair and Bike Rodeo: The parade starts at 10:00 am in Downtown Gresham. The Transportation Fair and Bike Rodeo takes place at the Gresham Center for the Arts Plaza from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm. You can ride your bike and park for free at the Plaza, then take in the parade and the fair.

Harvest Fun Day: Scarecrow-making, face-painting, pie-eating and corn-shucking contests, live music, and farming demonstrations and activities. 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, 78th St. Heritage Farm in Hazel Dell.

Apple Cider Press Work Party: Pick apples for cider pressing and perform general maintenance on the orchard. Tools provided, but bring a container (quart-sized or smaller) to bring cider home. Gabriel Community Garden & Orchard, 10:00 am to noon.

Community Fall Faire Hosted by Woodhaven School: A children’s festival for families with children ages 2–6. Live Irish music, face painting, bean bag toss, nature hikes, fairy houses, local food, and more. 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.

Polish Festival: Music, dancing, polka contest, Polish food and beer, and more. Saturday, 11:00 am to 10:00 pm. Sunday, noon to 6:00 pm. 3900 N. Interstate Ave.

Autumn on the Farm (Puppet Show): Come sing and laugh with Penny’s Puppet Productions. Hillsdale Library, 11:00 am.

Nature Days in the Park, Hyland Forest Park: The Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District invites you to explore Hyland Forest Park in Beaverton. Education staff and volunteers will lead interactive activities, and park rangers will be available to answer questions. 11:00 am to 3:00 pm.

Moving Planet, Climate Action Fest: Learn about climate change, alternative energy, and citizen involvement groups through speakers, exhibits, kids activities, a parade, and more. Keynote by Senator Jeff Merkley. Memorial Coliseum Commons, 11:45 am to 3:00 pm.

Grupo Condor: Traditional folk music featuring Spanish, African, and Native American influences. Belmont Library, 3:00 pm.

Sobre Viviendo: Ecuadoran mime Omar Vargas performs classic pantomimes from around the world (includes interactive games for children). Holgate Library, 4:00 pm.

Portland Opera Street Fair and Live Simulcast of Season Opening Concert: The street fair begins at 5:00 pm with bands, food carts, and more. The concert simulcast begins at 7:30 pm with welcoming remarks from Mayor Sam Adams. A Marx Brothers film follows the simulcast. Keller Fountain Park (3rd Ave will be closed).

Sunday, September 25

Oregon Flock & Fiber Festival: Livestock shows, kids activities, spinning demos, and more. “Our mission is to exhibit and demonstrate the full spectrum of natural fibers … from the animal or raw fiber to the finished product.” 694 NE 4th Avenue, Canby. Saturday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Sunday, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm.

Green Sprouts Natural Baby and Family Festival: Entertainment, kids activities, and information on eco-friendly, community-involved, natural, and healthy options for raising a family in Portland. Peninsula Park, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.

Oktoberfest at Edgefield: Music, dancing, and more. Starts at 11:00 am; last performance at 8:00 pm.

Polish Festival: Music, dancing, polka contest, Polish food and beer, and more. Saturday, 11:00 am to 10:00 pm. Sunday, noon to 6:00 pm. 3900 N. Interstate Ave.

NE Sunday Parkways: The 8-mile route connects Woodlawn, Alberta, and Fernhill parks, plus Rigler School and Cully Blvd. Food, music, and activities in the parks and along the route. Noon to 5:00 pm.

Life Is the Treasure, Okinawan Memories of WWII: Not recommended for children. Professional storyteller Alton Chung shares a collection of riveting stories of integrity, courage and selflessness during WWII. Midland Library, noon.

How Does Censorship Affect You as a Reader? This presentation looks at censorship issues, examines books that have been subject to challenges, and offers attendees the chance to examine and discuss banned and challenged books. St. Johns Library, 2:00 pm.

Banned Books Week Reading: Meant to highlight the benefits of free and open access to information while drawing attention to the harms of censorship, Powell’s Books and the ACLU of Oregon present an evening of readings by Jonathan Hill, Courtenay Hameister, B. Frayn Masters, Arthur Bradford, Chelsea Cain, and others. Powell’s City of Books on Burnside, 7:30 pm.

More free events

For more free and low-cost events, check Portland on the Cheap, PDX Pipeline, and Dave Knows Portland.

For kids events, check UrbanMamas and PDX Kids Calendar.

For free concerts, see Concert Co-op.

Entry Filed under: Free