Six Great Things to Do This Weekend..
It's a bad weekend to be a friggatriskaidekaphobe, a thermophobe or an agoraphobe. Friday the 13th is going to hotter than Hades and the streets are going to be packed with strangers. For the fearless, here is just a sampling of things you can do this weekend, most of which include street parties, street parties within street parties and bicycles. Lots of bicycles.
LEARN
Special Screening: American Cowboys
Where: The Oregon Historical Society, 1200 SW Park Avenue
When: Sunday, August 15, 2 p.m.
Cost: FREE (with admission, which, depending on your age, can run up to $11)
Tip: Show early or stay late and explore the museum. Also, to attend this screening, you must RSVP.
Don't miss the one-time re-screening of this 2001 award-winning film documenting seminal horsemen George Fletcher, the first African-American to compete in the World Saddle Bronc Championship at the Pendleton Round-Up in 1911, and Jackson Sundown, the Nez Perce Indian, who, five years later, became the first Native American to take the championship home.
ENGAGE
Multnomah County Central Library Block Party
Where: 801 SW 10th Avenue
When: Saturday, August 14, noon-3 p.m.
Cost: FREE
Tip: Wear comfortable (dancing) shoes.
Among the many wonderful things to do on this Saturday afternoon event: pet bugs (as in petting zoo), courtesy of the Oregon Zoo, learn circus skills from WE CARE, bowl, make crafts, build with Legos, get your face painted and enjoy the Brazilian music and the marching samba rhythms of The Lions of Batucada.
RELAX
The Portland Twilight Criterium
Where: The Northwest Park Blocks (NW 9th Avenue and Couch)
When: Friday, August 13, 4 p.m.-9 p.m.
Cost: FREE
Tip: Parking is very, very limited, so please use public transportation, or ride your bike (free bike parking is available at Park and Flanders).
Just because you're not competing doesn't mean you can't participate. Cheer on your friends as they compete for prizes whilst rapidly circling the twilit streets between Couch and Flanders, spanning 8th, 9th and Park avenues. In between heats, explore the event's pit to mingle with the projected 15,000 spectators while taking in the beer garden, the food carts and the Handbuilt Bike Show.
CONSUME
Tour de Fat
Where: Waterfront Park
When: Saturday, August 14, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Cost: FREE, but a $5 donation is suggested to help offset the costs of putting on the event
Tip: No outside alcohol. Leave your dog at home. And you can always donate more if you can.
The Bicycle Transportation Alliance and the Northwest Trail Alliance present New Belgium's Tour de Fat, the traveling celebration of beer and bicycles. This year's event includes plenty of musical performances, a bike parade and a bike-for-car trade, complete with a funeral for the chosen jalopy.
PLAY
PDX Adult Soapbox Derby
Where: Mt. Tabor Park
When: Saturday, August 14, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Cost: FREE
Tip: There are countless tips (read: rules) to keep the drivers safe, including: you may not throw water balloons at the drivers; you should bring your own food and drink (and properly dispose of your waste); liquor is prohibited (but beer's okay). Again parking is very, very limited, so please use public transportation.
For the 14th consecutive year, everyone is young again as adult men and women "compete" in this wholesome affair by racing their homemade cars down a not-so-very steep hill before their friends, families, children and plenty of curious lookers-on.
EXPLORE
Southeast Portland Sunday Parkways
Where: Southeast Portland
When: Sunday, August 15, 10a.m.-3 p.m.
Cost: FREE
Tip: Wander impromptu, or map your course to make the most of your five hours.
The city's second-to-last Sunday Parkway presents countless activities and events lining the street and spread out among Colonel Summers, Laurelhurst and Sunnyside parks, including: accordionists, fiddlers, unicyclists, jugglers, magicians, masseurs, yoga enthusiasts, political and environmental activists, mazes, games of trivia and double dutch, plenty of food vendors and a variety of musical acts (bluegrass, cabaret-tango, flamenco, gospel, reggae and skiffle). A bike parade is also planned and this year's event once again links up with the Hawthorne Street Fair, the fair within the fair.
