1. Car heart
The heart of downtown Vancouver will be rumbling with V-8 engines as hot rods, classic cars and more will be Cruisin’ the Gut. The popular celebration of car culture runs from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. July 18. While the multitude of cars cruise down Main Street, the side streets will feature designated areas, including racers row on 12th Street, vendors alley and car show on 16th Street, and live music on Ninth Street. The event encourages canned food donations to benefit Share House, with drop-off locations along Main Street, at 28th, 16th and Sixth streets. www.cruisinthegut.com
2. Jazz in the park
The 35th annual Cathedral Park Jazz Festival offers free jazz music under the arches of the St. Johns Bridge, hosted by the Jazz Society of Oregon. This year’s festival features performances by La Rhonda Steele, Blueprints Trio, Kung Pao Chickens, Chris Parker Quartet, Paul Creighton Project and Hailey Niswanger’s PDX Soul. The festival runs 5 to 10 p.m. July 17, noon to 10 p.m. July 18 and 1 to 8:35 p.m. July 19 in Cathedral Park, 8600 N. Lombard St., Portland. Admission is free. www.cpjazz.com
3. Working iron
The 21st annual Rural Heritage Fair highlights agriculture, logging and life in Clark County during the 1800s. Visitors can watch working blacksmiths, steam engines, vintage tractors, fire engines, gas-powered machines and more from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 18-19, hosted by the Fort Vancouver Antique Equipment Association. There will be kids activities in the pioneer village, including churning butter and splitting cedar shakes. The fair takes place at Alan Schurman’s Iron Ranch, 23100 N.E. 10th Ave., Ridgefield, where the ranch’s eclectic collection of equipment also will be on display. The fair is free, with $5 for parking. 360-693-1201 or www.fvaea.com
4. Award-winning bassist
Relax on the lawn for some music among the vines at Bethany Vineyard and Winery. Blues Music Award winner Lisa Mann received this year’s award for her skills on the bass guitar. She also is an accomplished singer and member of the Cascade Blues Association’s Hall of Fame. She will be joined by Diane Blue, a blues vocalist and harmonica player from Boston. The concert will begin at 5 p.m. July 19, with gates open at 3 p.m. at Bethany Vineyard, 4115 N.E. 259th St., Ridgefield. Tickets are $12 for ages 12 and older. 360-887-3525 or www.bethanyvineyards.com
