Portland and Area Weekend Activities Planner - April 12, 2025

by Geri And Tim Penner

	FERTILE GROUND FESTIVAL Early birds, script-chasers and workshop-watchers already know: Fertile Ground Festival is where you go to see Portland’s newest performance works first. Produced by the nonprofit Portland Area Theater Alliance (PATA), this annual festival will return April 12–21, 2024. Fertile Ground Festival is distinct from other cities’ “fringe” fests in two important regards: 1) It only features local producers, and 2) it’s non-juried, waving creators through an open door to access the critics they value most: audiences. As you might imagine, that means there’s a lot to see. Offerings include theater and dance, along with flourishes of comedy, musical theater, multi-media performances, staged readings and more. Each year, there is way more to see than one person can manage, and stumbling into something on your own that turns out to be fabulous is part of the fun. It also offers an opportunity to experience a variety of local performance spaces,
	QUILT CRAFT AND SEWING FESTIVAL Come join the Festival in Portland – At the Quilt, Craft & Sewing Festival you will find a wide variety of Sewing, Quilting, Needle-Art and Craft supply exhibits from many quality companies.
	CHERRY BLOSSOM BAZAAR This epic sale of Japanese treasures happens only once every other year. You'll find something for every age, taste, and budget. Hunt for hidden treasures at this unique Japanese collectibles, clothing, and furniture sale. Items from 25 cents. Browse through multiple rooms of furnishings and decor, books, clothing and accessories, records, kitchen and cooking items, art, textiles, ornaments, gifts, tableware, pottery, toys and dolls, and more.
	THE MURDER MYSTERY COMPANY PRESENTS: BEST LAID PLANS Join the event everyone is dying to attend. Step back in time to the glitz and glamor of 1930s Hollywood with the captivating show “Best Laid Plans.” Prepare to unravel the secrets of a thrilling murder mystery, where every twist and turn leads you closer to uncovering the truth. Put your sleuthing skills to the test as you examine clues and mingle with suspects, all while enjoying a delectable three-course meal. But beware — you might find yourself a suspect in this gripping tale.
	WOODEN SHOE TULIP FESTIVAL The annual bloom of cherry blossoms at downtown Portland’s Waterfront Park is impressive, but an even more colorful burst of flowers appears every spring just 32 miles (51 km) south of the city, in Woodburn. The Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival blossoms each spring, drawing thousands to come and see 40 acres (16 ha) of tulips in bloom, rain or shine. Tulip bulbs are classified as early to mid-season flowers. This means that in the Portland area, their bloom season runs from March through May. Likewise, the Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival runs from mid-March to early May, with the most flowers in full bloom around mid-April. Blooms only last for about two weeks, so don’t wait too long to frolic in these fields!
	BEETLEJUICE It’s showtime. Based on Tim Burton’s dearly beloved film, this hilarious musical tells the story of Lydia Deetz, a strange and unusual teenager whose whole life changes when she meets a recently deceased couple and a demon with a thing for stripes. With an irreverent book, an astonishing set, and a score that’s out of this Nether world, Beetlejuice is “SCREAMINGLY GOOD FUN!” (Variety). And under its uproarious surface (six feet under, to be exact), it’s a remarkably touching show about family, love, and making the most of every Day-O. Contains strong language, mature references, and a lot of the crazy, inappropriate stuff you would expect from a deranged demon. Age recommendation is 13+.
	SCI-FI FILM FESTIVAL For eight weeks this spring, OMSI’s 2024 Sci-Fi Film Festival will showcase over 40 of science fiction’s most memorable films on the Empirical Theater’s giant four-story screen. From genre classics such as 2001: A Space Odyssey to more recent favorites like Everything Everywhere All at Once, the festival’s offerings are sure to appeal to science fiction fans of all ages and interests.
	PORTLAND TRAILBLAZERS VS HOUSTON ROCKETS Watch the Portland Trail Blazers take on the Houston Rockets in this regular season NBA Game. Cheer along with Rip City at the Moda Center and become part of a Portland tradition.
	SAMA-SAMA TAYO SA SINEHAN AT KAINAN (FILIPINO CINEMA AND FOOD) FAAPVI invites you to “Sama-sama Tayo sa Sinehan at Kainan” (Sharing the Filipino Cinema and Food Experience). This two-week Filipino Food Fest features Filipino food vendors who will sell ‘meriendas’ (Filipino hors d’oeuvres and desserts) before each movie screening at the Fil-Am Center. Participating Filipino restaurants and other food establishments will offer a special at their business location, which can be an entrée or a dessert named after the movie icons/ characters of the film. The featured international movie, “When I Met You in Tokyo” by JG Productions, is one of the official entries of the 2023 Metro Manila Film Festival (Philippines), as well as an entry at the Manila International Film Festival (Los Angeles), and stars Filipino movie icons, Vilma Santos (won Best Actress for both Film Fests) and Christopher de Leon.
	WORLD OF PENJING Immerse yourself in the 'World of Penjing' at Lan Su Chinese Garden this April. Embark on a captivating journey led by industry experts and Lan Su's esteemed horticulture team. Explore the intricate art of Chinese miniature landscapes through guided Penjing tours, interactive demonstrations, and an exquisite month-long Penjing exhibit. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to discover the beauty and craftsmanship of this ancient landscape art at your favorite Chinese garden.
	BROADWAY ROSE THEATER COMPANY PRESENTS: SH-BOOM! LIFE COULD BE A DREAM Return to the days of yesteryear with nostalgic hits from the Golden Oldies, “Fools Fall In Love,” “Tears On My Pillow,” “Runaround Sue,” “Earth Angel,” “Stay,” and “Unchained Melody.” Meet Denny and the Dreamers, a fledgling doo-wop singing group hoping to realize their dreams of making it to the big time when trouble comes in the form of Eugene’s former sweetheart Lois. Denny falls in love, Eugene falls apart, and along comes handsome heartthrob Duke to set the whole situation spinning. Winner of the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Best Musical Award, Sh-Boom! Life Could Be a Dream will leave you laughing, singing, and cheering — let’s hear it for the boys!
	BEST HIKE FOR KIDS: SWEET CREEK FALLS TRAIL In this Coast Range valley, the Sweet Creek Falls Trail follows the scenic cascading waters of Sweet Creek. Hikers will encounter 11 waterfalls in all, each framed by mossy rocks and ferns and under a canopy of Douglas-fir, Alder and Big leaf maple. There are no bridge crossings of Sweet Creek. This trail consists of four segments. The Homestead Trailhead to Sweet Creek Falls is 1.1 miles. The Sweet Creek Falls Trailhead to Sweet Creek Falls is 0.4 mile. Sweet Creek Falls to the Wagon Road Trailhead is 0.8 mile. Wagon Road Trailhead to Beaver Creek Falls is 0.6 mile. Beaver Creek Falls is a 0.1 mile from the Beaver Creek Trailhead. See it before you hike it! Use Travel Lane County’s Google-Trekked Trails to see Google's "trail view" of this trail. Click on the "trail details" for more information on the trail itself. Sweet Creek Falls / trail details
	HIKE - MULTNOMAH FALLS TRAIL Experience this 2.3-mile out-and-back trail near Bridal Veil, Oregon. Generally considered a moderately challengi...ng route, it takes an average of 1 h 30 min to complete. This is a very popular area for hiking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash.
	PORTLAND SATURDAY MARKET Combining the vibes of an art show, a live street concert and an open-air bazaar, the Portland Saturday Market has been a beloved Rose City tradition since 1974. In fact, the market is considered the largest continually operating arts-and-crafts fair in the United States, drawing up to one million visitors during its annual season.
	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