1. Fair delights
Take advantage of the last three days to soak in the Clark County Fair from the fried foods and ice cream milkshakes, to the flying Dock Dogs, roller coasters and monster trucks. The 149th edition of the fair includes FairCon and Cowboy Bootcamp all three days. Sights not to miss at the grandstand will be the Tuff Trucks at 2 and 7 p.m. Aug. 11-12, followed by the grand finale of Monster Trucks at 2 and 7 p.m. Aug. 13. Other attractions worth keeping in mind are the barrel races at 7 p.m. Aug. 11 and the drill team competition at 4:30 p.m. Aug. 12 in the Dr. Jack Giesy Arena. The annual Junior Livestock Auction kicks off 11 a.m. Aug. 12 in the beef and dairy show ring. And the cheeseburger eating contest will begin at 1 p.m. Aug. 12 with the pie eating contest at 5 p.m. Aug. 13 at the community stage. The fair runs 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Aug. 11 and 12 and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Aug. 13 at the fairgrounds, 17402 N.E. Delfel Road, Ridgefield. Regular admission is $11.25, $9.25 for seniors, $8.25 for ages 7 to 12 and free for ages 6 and younger. www.clarkcofair.com Parking is $6, and C-Tran offers a free shuttle to the fairgrounds from the transit centers, visit www.c-tran.com/clarkcountyfair for locations and times.
2. Local flavor
The Vancouver Brewfest is a celebration of craft beer from the Pacific Northwest offering a variety of beers, alongside wine, cider and mead from more than 30 different breweries. There will be food vendors and musical performances from local bands. Attendees can also take part in the Bear Pong Tournament, a large scale version of beer pong. A portion of the proceeds will go toward Northwest Battle Buddies, Second Chance Companions and the local chapter of Disabled American Veterans. The festival is open 4 to 9:30 p.m. Aug. 11 and noon to 9 p.m. Aug. 12 in Esther Short Park, West Columbia and Sixth streets, Vancouver. Tickets good for both days are $19.50 to $37 for those 21 and older, $7 for designated drivers. http://vancouverbrewfest.com
3. Tech from ancestors
For August’s Second Sunday, the Cathlapotle Plankhouse will host Traditional Technologies Day, with hands-on activities demonstrating ancestral skills and indigenous knowledge from noon to 4 p.m. Aug. 13. Learn about making a fire from scratch and creating a survival bracelet. Artists from the Chinook Indian Nation and the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde will showcase their work in the plankhouse, 28908 N.W. Main Ave., Ridgefield. Admission is $3 per vehicle. 360-887-4106 or ridgefieldfriends.org
4. Drive-in date
Movies under the stars get a contemporary twist at the PDX Drive-In Movie Spectacular, with sound accessible via FM signal, along with outdoor speakers for bicyclists and pedestrians. Attendees can catch “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” on Aug. 11, “Grease” on Aug. 12 and “Caddyshack” on Aug. 13. There will be activities, music, short films, food vendors and beer garden before the 7 p.m. screenings. Gates open at 6:30 p.m. at the Portland Expo Center, 2060 N. Marine Drive, Portland. Admission is $13 to $15 per car, $5 for bicycles and pedestrians. www.expodrive-in.com
