Save the Date: Much of what’s on the horizon comes from the ground up

THIS WEEKEND

Head north to find flowers for your garden this weekend. Pomeroy Farm hosts its Country Life Fair with its annual herb and plant sale, along with local vendors and demonstrations of artisan skills, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. today and Sunday at the Pomeroy Farm, 20902 N.E. Lucia Falls Road, Yacolt. Admission is free. www.pomeroyfarm.org

Filled with inspiration, the Home and Garden Idea Fair continues today from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Learn about sustainable practices for both indoors and out, while finding new plants from the local nurseries and garden vendors at the Clark County Event Center, 17402 N.E. Delfel Road, Ridgefield. Admission is free, $6 for parking, donations of canned food encouraged. www.clarkpublicutilities.com

If you’re not ready to garden, take in a wall of color at the Archer Gallery, 1933 Fort Vancouver Way, Vancouver. Seattle artist Julie Alpert has created her site specific show “SPLAT,” along with a showcase of her paintings and collage work, plus a collaborative installation with local students. The art exhibit is on display through May 7, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays, noon to 5 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. 360-992-2246 or www.clark.edu/archergallery

The Portland vocal ensemble In Mulieribus will perform “My Beloved Spake,” which features work inspired by Song of Songs, the Old Testament’s love poem. In Mulieribus specializes in pieces that have been written before 1750. The concert begins at 7 p.m. Sunday at the Proto-Cathedral of St. James, 218 W. 12th St., Vancouver. Tickets are $20 to $25, $15 for students and seniors. 503-283-2913 or www.inmulieribus.org

COMING UP

More growing things are on the horizon as three outdoor markets will open for the season on May 2.

The Battle Ground Village Outdoor Market celebrates its opening day with special gifts for kids, market bags for the first 50 visitors and musician Manuel “Silky” Mayer. The market runs 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays through Sept. 26 at 819 S.E. 14th Loop, Center Pavilion, Battle Ground. 360-397-0334 or www.bgvillage.com

The Ridgefield Farmers Market will feature May Day events, with plant starts, a maypole and May flower baskets. The market also will include local wine tastings this year. The seventh season of the market runs 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays through Oct. 3 at Overlook Park, corner of Pioneer Street and Main Avenue, Ridgefield. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ridgefield-Farmers-Market/115529101824089

New for this year, the Market at Vancouver Mall, will be an open air market featuring produce, craft and food vendors, along with local musicians. The market will run 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, through Sept. 27 in the parking lot, south of Macy’s, 8700 N.E. Vancouver Mall Drive, Vancouver. www.facebook.com/marketatvancouvermall or www.portlandvancouverevents.com

Celebrate Independent Bookstore Day starting at 10 a.m. May 2 with Vintage Books, 6613 E. Mill Plain Blvd., Vancouver. It’s a literary party across the country for a celebration of independent bookstores with author readings, in-store events and exclusive day merchandise. 360-694-9519 or www.vintage-books.net

The city of Ridgefield will kick off its First Saturday series with the May Day Spring Festival, with the Garden Club Plant Sale, Ridgefield Arts Association annual Art Fair and Sale, community paint party, children’s activities and crafts, a Maypole dance, and more. Activities run 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 2. www.ci.ridgefield.wa.us

The 18th annual Camas Plant and Garden Fair will offer flowers, garden art, supplies, bird feeders, vegetable starts and hanging baskets from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 9. There will be a kids zone, a petting zoo and live music. Downtown Camas, N.E. Fourth Ave., Camas; free. www.cwplantfair.org

Operation Home Run features a 5K and 10K run or walk, with proceeds going to help homeless veterans. The race will be followed by an awards concert on May 9 at the Pearson Air Museum, 1115 E. Fifth St., Vancouver. Registration is $40 to $45. 360-601-6935 or http://purekraze.weebly.com