Portland Area Newsletter and Planner - September 9, 2023

WHAT'S UP THIS WEEKEND?
Excerpts From TravelPortland.com

BELMONT STREET FAIR
The Belmont Street Fair is one of the largest-attended street fairs in Portland. With food and retail vendors of all kinds, show-stopping performances, and activities for all ages, the Belmont Street Fair is fun for everyone.

PORTLAND TAIKO FARM FESTIVAL
Portland Taiko returns to Triskelee Farm in West Linn for a full-length outdoor concert. Bring your picnic blanket, camping chairs and favorite snacks. Beer, wine and produce will be available for sale.  The performance begins at 4:00 p.m. Free farm tours are available starting at 3:00 p.m.  Last year’s Farm Festival sold out, so don’t wait too long to reserve your spot. 

JIM PEPPER NATIVE ARTS FESTIVAL
Founded in 2013 to increase access to music education and honor this remarkable musician’s legacy, Jim PepperFest: The Jim Pepper Native Arts Festival s held annually at Parkrose High School. Featuring daytime and evening festivities, the free event celebrates Native American culture and Jim Pepper’s musical legacy. The festival is open to the public and takes place outdoors with dancing on the lawn and Mount Hood views. 

Jim Pepper (1941–1992), who was of Kaw/Creek heritage, grew up in Portland. His Kaw Indian name Hunga-che-ada translates to Flying Eagle. He became a tenor and soprano saxophone player, composer and bandleader of international significance, creating a unique, innovative body of work that continues to inspire and influence musicians and attract audiences across the United States, throughout Indian Country, and Europe.

His song “Witchi Tai To” is the only song based upon a Native American chant to break into the Top 40. He is one of the very few saxophonists in history to create an unmistakable original “sound” on the instrument. His compositions have drawn the interest of major composers the world over, including David Amram and Gunther Schuller, winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Music.

CHAPMAN SWIFT WATCH
Great blue herons, bald eagles and peregrine falcons are just a few of the Rose City avian residents routinely spotted by visitors. But to really “put a bird” on a Portland memory, mark the calendar for September’s Chapman Swift Watch — the time of year when thousands of Vaux’s swifts drift through the city on their annual migration from Canada to Central and South America. The tiny birds spend their days hunting for insects and their evenings roosting, bat-like, in trees and chimneys.

THE CORN MAIZE ON SAUVIE ISLAND
When summer winds down, Portland’s fall arrives with warm, sunny days and cool, clear nights. The ideal way to get lost in autumn’s splendor is at The Maize at the Pumpkin Patch. Located on Sauvie Island., a rural escape just 13 miles (21 km) north of downtown Portland, the Corn Maize offers visitors eight acres (3 hectares) of exciting twists and turns. But it’s not all about getting lost in nature; Two 16-foot (5 m) observation bridges provide picturesque panoramas, with great views of the island and Mount Hood, as well as the maze itself. 

As well as the corn maze, guests can take a trip on a hayride out to the pumpkin patch to find the perfect pumpkin, or pet farm animals and make a new feathery friend at the Big Red Barn. Not in the mood to traipse out into the pumpkin field? Explore the gift shop or have a relaxing lunch in the café, the family farm has activities to delight any visitor.

PORTLAND FARMERS MARKET AT SHEMANSKI PARK
With its carts and vendors selling delicious meals under a lush green canopy of trees, this downtown farmer’s market at Shemanski Park is a popular lunch spot for good reason. Portland residents and visitors also use this shaded destination to buy locally grown groceries for dinner — or supplies for an alfresco picnic. (Wednesdays 10 a.m.–2 p.m.)

DAHLIA FESTIVAL
Celebrate the season of DAHLIAS. A Rainbow of Color. Stroll through almost 40 acres and a beautiful display garden of stunning dahlias featuring over 370 varieties. The beautiful fields are open from August to September each year, closed on Monday and Tuesday.

Pick out and order your favorite dahlias for Spring delivery and planting. Purchase a beautiful bunch of cut dahlias to take home with you or to make someone’s day. Visit the Gift Shop with hundreds of local treasures, open year-round. Fill your belly with yummy treats from Food Carts, relax and enjoy the Live Music, attend the Sunday farmers’ market, or take one of the Classes throughout the festival dates.

NORTH COAST FOOD TRAIL
Already an expansive way to chow down as you’re touring the Oregon coast, the North Coast Food Trail is getting ready to get bigger. Some 100 or more miles of foodstuffs, drinks and culinary-themed adventures await with Visit Tillamook Coast’s North Coast Food Trail, which starts at the southern edges of the Tillamook County line at Neskowin and runs up through Cannon Beach, Seaside and now Astoria.

HEROES ON THE WATER NORTH OREGON COAST NEHALEM RIVER CAMP N FISH 2023
The North Oregon Coast chapter will be putting on our September event on Saturday September 9th through Sunday September 10th. This is an over night camping and fishing event. If you're active duty or retired military or First Responder and would like to join us for a day of kayak fishing the event will be held on the Nehalem River near Miami-Foley Rd and Foss Rd. We will begin at 09:00 Saturday and conclude at 15:00 Sunday.

Participants do not need to have previous experience on kayaks or fishing and will only need to bring a valid Oregon fishing license and a salmon tag with them as well as dress for the weather. We will provide all the necessary equipment, training, guidance, and an experienced on the water guide to help you enjoy the day. For more information please view heroesonthewater.org

ALBANY FARMER'S MARKET
Founded in 1978, the Albany Farmers’ Market is the oldest continuously operated open-air farmers’ market in Oregon. Located in the City Hall parking lot and on an adjacent street that fronts the Linn County Courthouse, the market offers visitors an abundance of fresh, locally sourced food. From ripe, juicy produce to artisanal cheeses and freshly baked bread, there is something for everyone to enjoy. The market also features the Power of Produce Club, a kids’ program for ages 5-12 that provides hands-on educational activities and promotes healthy eating habits. Although the market has evolved over the years, it continues to honor its roots and celebrate the community’s deep connection to the land. So whether you’re a longtime resident or just passing through, come experience the magic of the Albany Farmers’ Market for yourself.

MONTAVILLA FARMERS MARKET
Neighborhood farmers market featuring local farms, distilleries, coffee, bakeries, flowers, hot food vendors and more.  The market was founded by a grassroots collection of neighbors who were inspired by visions of a fresh, local, food market in a shared community space within the growing SE Stark Street business district. This dedicated group opened the market in just 10 short months with a small amount of grant funds and a generous outpouring of donations from local businesses, friends and neighbors. The tireless energy of these un-paid visionaries and countless other volunteers allowed MFM to open its first market on Sunday, July 22, 2007, with 17 vendors and over 2000 visitors. Montavilla Farmers Market is a thriving, diverse marketplace where all are welcome.

PORTLAND NIGHT MARKET
The Portland Night Market showcases many unique businesses that call Portland home. Blending food, culture, music, drinks and retail for an adventurous evening in the Central Eastside. Meet some of Portland's best makers and creators. With almost 200 hundred makers, the Night Market offers food carts, drinks, clothing, lifestyle goods, home goods, body care and art. The Portland Night Market is a FREE quarterly event open to all ages. 

FARMERS MARKET AT PORTLAND STATE UNIVERSITY
The Portland Farmers Market at Portland State University will be open every Saturday, year-round. April through October hours are 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. November through March hours are 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Market at PSU is located in Downtown Portland in the South Park Blocks between SW College & Montgomery Streets.

HOLLYWOOD FARMERS MARKETS
Year-round on Saturdays, the Hollywood Farmers Markets hosts 50+ vendors, bringing you the best of the region’s agricultural bounty. In addition to amazingly fresh, local food,  you’ll find live music, children’s activities, and fun events throughout the season.

• April through September, every Saturday 8 AM to 1 PM,
• October and November, every Saturday 9 AM to 1 PM,, and
• December through March: 9 AM to 1PM on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of each month

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