Portland and Area Newsletter and Planner - October 15, 2023

PORTLAND RETRO GAMING EXPO
Get ready, set, go and embrace a blast from the past at the Portland Retro Gaming Expo, one of the world’s largest conventions celebrating classic video and arcade games. This vibrant weekend-long gathering at the Oregon Convention Center.

is jam-packed with a diverse presentation of events like panels, historical exhibits, and tournaments that invite attendees — from the adults who played the games as kids to the kids of today — to delight in the artistry and significance of video games in popular culture. Hunt for the next special addition to your classic video game collection in the exhibition hall, get lost in thought within the enormous free-play “retrocade” featuring hundreds of gaming options, and make new friends.

PORTLAND OPEN STUDIOS
Portland is known for its thriving creative community, which embraces mediums including painting, photography, ceramics, woodworking and jewelry making. For two weekends every October, visitors can witness more than 100 local artists’ creative processes during Portland Open Studios. Portland Open Studios was started in 1998 by Portland painter Kitty Wallis. The citywide event takes place in the personal studios of painters, photographers, printmakers, jewelry designers and other talented craftspeople. Attendees lead themselves on self-guided tours, visiting creative workspaces ranging from living rooms and converted sheds to shared industrial warehouses.   

Around 200 artists apply to participate in Open Studios each year. Typically 100 or so are chosen, with selections made by a blind jury composed of three arts professionals. (The jury members change each year.) The blind jury process — based solely on images of the artwork — produces a diverse selection of emerging and established artists.

As part of Open Studios, artists are encouraged to facilitate interactive experiences for guests. Rather than simply viewing artwork, attendees can converse with the artists, ask questions and observe their creativity in action

PORTLAND TENT REVIVAL
The Portland Tent Revival is a church meeting to bring hope and healing to the community. There will be gospel music, speakers, food, and activities for children. All are welcome.

IRISH HARPER MAIRI CHATHASAIGH & GUITARIST CHRIS NEWMAN IN CONCERT
Máire Ní Chathasaigh is “the great innovator of modern Irish harping, a player of outstanding technique and imagination” (The Rough Guide to Irish Music) and one of Ireland’s most important and influential traditional musicians. As a teenager in the 1970s she invented a whole new 'traditional Irish' style of harping that quickly became the norm amongst both her contemporaries and the younger generation of Irish players, thereby spearheading the re-introduction of the harp into the mainstream of the living tradition. She was described by the late Derek Bell as “the most interesting and original player of the Irish harp today.” She was the 2001 recipient of Irish music's most prestigious award, Traditional Musician of the Year - Gradam Ceoil TG4 – a national recognition of her pioneering work. Chris Newman is “one of the UK’s greatest musicians” (BBC Radio 2) and “one of the top guitarists of his ilk in the world” (The Living Tradition). He has toured and recorded with many luminaries of the folk and jazz worlds, among them Boys of the Lough, Aly Bain and Stéphane Grappelli and brings this experience to his collaboration with Máire.

LAS ADELITAS: A DAY OF THE DEAD PRODUCTION
The dead are commemorated every fall in Portland’s longest-running Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebration. This year, Milagro observes their 28th Día de Muertos with an original production, Las Adelitas.  Las Adelitas will be infused with folkloric dance and music, accompanied by theatrical elements that celebrate the ancestors by building altars and sharing cultural traditions. Workshops will share altar-building crafts such as sugar skulls and paper flowers for decorating home altars.

A BITE OF OREGON
Taste Oregon in a bite. Hip Chicks Do Wine takes you on a culinary journey around the state. Come in for a flight of wine and a complimentary tasting of Smokey Blue Cheese from Rogue Creamery. Local Hazelnuts and Hood River Pears paired with the 2019 Tiernan Connor Cellars pinot noir. This bite is offered as a complimentary pairing to your flight. The flight includes five wines and a seasonal Sangria. While reservations are not required, they are appreciated. Featured Sangria for the Weekend will be the Honeycrisp Apple Sangria.

PORTLAND FILM FESTIVAL
Portland Film Festival is a non-profit organization dedicated to nurturing filmmakers and audiences and celebrating the power of a good story. The festival focuses on the people, ideas, technology, skills and artistry behind filmmaking and provides entertainment and educational opportunities to the public. The festival stands by the belief in equity for everyone, regardless of background, socioeconomic means or physical ability. The festival is anchored with outdoor screenings, offering its filmmakers one of the largest audiences on the West Coast. Portland Film Festival is Portland, Oregon’s largest film festival by filmmakers for filmmakers.

OAKS PARK SCARETOWN
Portland Oregon’s ONLY Scream Park returns this fall to one of the oldest amusement parks in the country, the historic Oaks Amusement Park. The Event features three horrifying haunted walkthrough attractions, amusement rides, themed side attractions, mini golf, roller skating, concessions and so much more.

THE SPIRIT OF HALLOWEENTOWN
It’s no Legend of Sleepy Hollow or Night of the Living Dead, but once in the 1990s, the lovely Oregon town of St. Helens was overrun by something worse than zombies or vampires — a Hollywood movie crew! The peaceful waterfront city just 30 miles (48 km) northwest of Portland has never been the same.

Each year, St. Helens, the filming site of the otherwise forgettable Halloweentown, remembers its brush with the dollar DVD bin with  The Spirit of Halloweentown,  a fun, family-friendly celebration of the spookiest holiday around. Complete with costume contests, trick-or-treating through St. Helens’ Old Town District, haunted town tours, and scarecrows galore. The celebration of the creepiest day of the year extends into every weekend in October, starting with the lighting of the Great Pumpkin in the city plaza.

During The Spirit of Halloweentown, local merchants are dying to get you in the spirit, with costume shops stocking everything from frisky vampire getups to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle shells. And with an array of events from ghost talks, tarot card readings, and face painting increasing up to the big day, you’ll want to be dressed and ready for action. So be sure not to miss it, or you’ll be haunted with regret — at least until next year.

THE FEAR PDX HAUNTED HOUSE
PORTLAND'S LARGEST HALLOWEEN EVENT: All-new haunted houses, one location, one ticket. 2023 Attractions: 

• Don't Split Up
• The Mansion
• Smiley's Fun House
• The Harvest
• The Forgotten
• Rotten Pulp
• Dead End
• Radioactive Rampage
• Hazlewood Hills Asylum
• Chopped
• Slasher Shed

UNDERHILL HAUNTED HOUSE
Visit the Trio of Terror:

The Salvage Yard – From the outside, it seems like an abandoned salvage yard, but once inside, you will find it is very much in operation, and they are salvaging more than cars. Why oh why did you decide to visit on a full moon? 

Terror Ship – The ship has crashed on a hostile alien world. The hull is breached, and there is nothing to stop the creatures outside from coming to visit…and hunt… you and the crew. 

Underhill Manor – A mysterious stranger seeking shelter has infected the staff and guests with the worst sort of bug…vampirism. Will Madam Underhill and her Caretaker be taken over, or will they survive a house full of vampires? 

Finally, for little ones under the age of 12 (and those of all ages that are a little Haunted House-phobic), presenting Kids Monster Fest, an immersive matinee experience because haunted houses are so less scary in the daylight. Kids Monster Fest will give you chills and a few scares in a wholesome, kid and family-friendly environment. Also, as the only Halloween event targeted to families with children (and you adult scaredy cats), Kids Monster Fest is the only Halloween event in the Portland downtown metro area. With lots of parking and a short commute to keep you from driving up to an hour to Hillsboro, Salem or Sauvie’s Island for a corn maze or kid-oriented attraction, Kids Monster Fest is a perfect option. You can leave Kids Monster Fest refreshed, a bit scared and a whole lot of excited about Halloween. Kids Monster Fest is scheduled for three matinees October 21-22, 28, from 12 – 3 p.m. This event is now timed in hour blocks and has limited walk-up sales. Due to its popularity, buying your tickets in advance is strongly advised so you don’t miss out on this fun event.

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 WING WEEK
Have a pile of napkins ready while you dig into a plate of specially sauced drums and flats at the return of Portland Mercury’s Wing Week — with creative, one-of-a-kind chicken wings available at 62 Portland locations. Even better? Each order of wings will only cost you a mere $8. Yes, it will be amazing — because the Mercury and the Wing Week partners at Jim Beam (thanks, Jim) wouldn’t have it any other way.

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.

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

FEATURED LISTINGS
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• spacious and inviting layout
• Well-appointed kitchen with modern appliances
• Elegant living room with abundant natural light
• Elegant master suite with walk-in closet
• Two additional bedrooms for versatile use
• Main Floor Office/4th bedroom
• Private hobby room/additional office space augmented with natural lighting
• 2 car garage with space for workshop
• Electric car charging outlet
• Refreshing bathrooms with stylish finishes
• Serene backyard oasis with green space backdrop, perfect for relaxation or entertaining