Join the Big Paddle on the Ridgefield Waterfront, as well as First Saturday events in Overlook Park. (iStock.com and Columbian file photos)Photo Gallery
Summer may be the time when you slow down and relax, but it’s the busiest time of year in Clark County. Use this list to plan your summer fun but be sure to check websites or phone numbers before you go in case details have changed. If you don’t see your favorite summer shindig on this list, never fear. The finer points of many events are still being finalized. In the meantime, dust off those sunglasses and flip-flops and get ready for summer, Clark County style.
Hockinson Fun Days is 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. today with a pancake breakfast from 7 to 11:30 a.m. at Fire District 3; a vendor marketplace from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Hockinson School District offices; a parade at noon at Hockinson High School; a country carnival from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Hockinson Community Center; and a classic car cruise-in at Elim Lutheran Church from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The Big Paddle is today from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Lake River waterfront and Overlook Park in Ridgefield. The event includes paddles, guided hikes, food trucks, hayrides, a farmers market, book sales, a craft beer garden, games and live music. Registration may be closed for some events, but anyone can bring paddlecraft.
Parkersville Day is noon to 3 p.m. today at Parker’s Landing Historical Park near the Port of Camas-Washougal. Learn about local history through activities, displays, games, art, music and storytelling.
Clark County Pride will host the fourth annual Rainbow Walk from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday at Holley Park, 1000 E. Fourth St., La Center. The walk starts at noon at the west end of La Center Bridge. The event includes live music, vendors, food and information about community resources.
Search for treasures at the Vintage and Antique Flea Market, 5 to 8 p.m. June 7 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 8 at The Valiant Ballroom, 109 W. Ninth St., Vancouver. Admission is free. Apply to be a vendor at this and other flea markets at thevaliantballroom.com.
Paranormal Cirque at Vancouver Mall combines theatre, circus, cabaret and horror for 18-and-older audiences. Shows are 7:30 p.m. June 7 and 10; 6:30 and 9:30 p.m. June 8; and 5:30 and 8:30 p.m. June 9. Tickets are $35-$80 at paranormalcirque.com or call 941-704-8572.
Music in the Park is noon to 6 p.m. June 8 in John Ball Park at West 23rd Street and Kauffman Avenue in downtown Vancouver. Pack a picnic basket and enjoy live music in the park. Stop at the Sons of Norway Lodge, 2400 Grant St., Vancouver, for a “gaLodge” sale and $5 lunch of hot dog, chips and soda.
Dandelion Teahouse and Apothecary, 109 W. Seventh St., Vancouver, will host a Pride Block Party from noon to 7 p.m. June 8 on Seventh Street between Main and Washington. The event, cohosted by the Queer Youth Resource Center, will include family-friendly activities, live performances and a “Wear Your Pride” fashion show. Tea drinks will be available to buy from Dandelion Teahouse.
Woodland Planters Days offers a daily carnival and other events June 13-16 in and around Horseshoe Lake Park. Events include a children’s parade and fireworks on June 13; book sale, bingo and farmers market on June 14; breakfast buffet, parade, vendor market, beer garden, bed races and cruise-in on June 15; and car show, raffles and market on June 16.
Enjoy live music, beverages from Hot to Trot and tacos from Razo’s Tacos from 5:30 to 8 p.m. June 14 on the lawn of the O.O. Howard House, 750 Anderson St., Vancouver, as part of The Historic Trust’s Summer Fest. Live music will be provided by True Vibez. Bring picnic blankets and low-backed chairs. The event is free. thehistorictrust.org
The city of Vancouver and Odyssey World International Education Services will host a Juneteenth celebration from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 15 in Esther Short Park featuring live music with LaRhonda Steele and Jujuba, art displays, local vendors and community resources.
La Uva Fortuna Farms, 16712 N.E. 219th St., Battle Ground, will host Bikes and Brisket: A Father’s Day Ride from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 16. Attendees will start at the winery with coffee and doughnuts then take a 2.5-hour motorcycle ride through scenic country roads. Afterward, they’ll enjoy wood-fired brisket, jalapeno-lime coleslaw and barbecue beans. Tickets range from $19.99 to $69.99.
The Historic Trust’s Summer Fest celebrates the summer solstice from 6 to 8 p.m. June 20 on the grounds of the O.O. Howard House, 750 Anderson St., Vancouver. A Space to Bloom Yoga will lead a gentle yoga session (no yoga mat required) and guests of all ages can work on a make-and-take craft project. The event is free.
La Uva Fortuna Farms, 16712 N.E. 219th St., Battle Ground, offers Movies on the Lawn outdoor films every Friday June 21 to Aug. 23. Bring blankets and low-backed chairs for lawn seating. Wood-fired pizza, wine and cider are available to buy. To buy tickets ($2 for ages 5 and up) and see a movie schedule, visit lauvafortuna.com.
Columbia Play Project presents Family Play Day at Vancouver Waterfront Park, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Enjoy family-friendly summertime activities with dancing, music, experimenting, building, creating and exploring. All activities are free.
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La Center hosts Saturdays in the Park June 22 through Aug. 10 featuring free weekly concerts with local bands in Sternwheeler Park, 100 W. Fourth St., La Center. Bring a picnic, blankets and low-backed chairs for seating in the outdoor amphitheater. Headliners start at 6 p.m. For the complete lineup, see facebook.com/Saturdays-in-the-Park.
The Camas Public Library will host Summer Movie Mondays from 2 to 4 p.m. June 24 through Aug. 5 in the upstairs Community Room with free popcorn. Registration is required for each movie. Here’s the schedule: June 24: “Dora and the Lost City of Gold”; July 1: “Toy Story 2”; July 8: “Ponyo”; July 15: “Bolt”; July 22: “Shrek”; Aug. 5: “Finding Nemo.”
Yacolt’s Rendezvous Days start with team games on June 28 and continue on June 29 with a Bigfoot Fun Run, market vendors, kids’ activities, family games, a watermelon-eating contest, chalk art contest and office chair racing. The HellzBellz run is June 30, the all-town water fight is July 1, movie night is July 2, talent show is July 3 followed by a parade on July 4 and a party at town hall on July 5.
The Historic Trust will host Picnic in the Park from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. July 6 at the Fort Vancouver parade grounds. The free, family-friendly event features two stages with live music and entertainment, games on the lawn, magicians and face painting. Buy snacks and food from local vendors or visit the beer garden (for those over age 21).
Pomeroy Farm, 20902 N.E. Lucia Falls Road, Yacolt, will host July Farm Days Jamboree from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 6-7. Enjoy live music while strolling around the farm grounds and browsing an artisans’ market. Children will enjoy an “I Spy” activity and meeting farm animals. Admission and parking are free. Only service animals are allowed on farm grounds.
Columbia Tech Center Sunday Sounds Concerts will hit the stage in east Vancouver from 6 to 8 p.m. Sundays July 7 through Aug. 18. Bring a picnic or buy food from local vendors. Alcohol isn’t permitted. Park off Southeast Cardinal Court, in the gravel lot south of the amphitheater. The band lineup is July 7, 5 Guys Named Moe; July 14: Dancehall Days; July 21: Britnee Kellogg; July 28: Andy Stokes; Aug. 4: Precious Byrd; Aug. 11: Prom Date Mixtape; Aug. 18: Hit Machine.
The Columbia River’s north shore is the place to be 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursdays July 11 through Aug. 15 for the Vancouver Waterfront Concert Series. Bring a picnic or grab a bite at a local restaurant. Alcohol isn’t permitted. The Parks Foundation offers parking by donation in the lot across from Vancouver City Hall. Here’s the lineup: July 11: Curtis Salgado; July 18: Aaron Meyer; July 25: Pa’lante; Aug. 1: LaRhonda Steele; Aug. 8: Jujuba; Aug. 15: Sabroso.
Amboy Territorial Days in Territorial Park, 21400 N.E. 399th St., Amboy, feature a beer garden, bingo, silent auctions, scavenger hunt, a parade, a logging show, a car show, live music and lawnmower races. Runs July 12 through 14. See the complete schedule of events at tdays.org.
See Free Friday Night Movies in a different park each week from July 12 to Aug. 23. Arrive at 7 p.m. for pre-movie activities. Movies start at dusk. Bring a picnic or buy food from local vendors. Alcohol isn’t permitted. Here’s the lineup: July 12: “Shrek” (PG) at Bagley Community Park; July 19: “Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax” (PG) at Nikkei Neighborhood Park; July 26: “School of Rock” (PG-13) at Marshall Community Park; Aug. 2: “West Side Story” (1961, PG) at Esther Short Community Park; Aug. 9: “Wish” (PG) at Fruit Valley Neighborhood Park; Aug. 16: “Migration” (PG) at David Douglas Community Park; Aug. 23: “Barbie” (PG-13) at Columbia Tech Center Park.
Vancouver USA Pride presents Saturday in the Park Pride 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. July 13 in Esther Short Park. The event features live entertainment, food vendors, an artisan market and booths with information from groups and businesses that support the LGBTQ+ community.
Battle Ground hosts Harvest Days with a Harvest Nights Cruise at 6 p.m. July 19 and a Pancake Breakfast from 7 to 10 a.m. June 20 followed by the Harvest Days Parade at 10 a.m. See a fireworks show at 10 p.m. July 20.
Four Days of Aloha is a celebration of Hawaiian arts and culture starting at Clark College with hula and craft workshops on July 25 and 26 and a pa’ina event on July 25. Events in Esther Short Park include a Hapa Hole Hula Competition on July 26, Ho’ike event on July 27, concert in the park July 27 and Celebration of Cultures on July 28. Most events require tickets or registration.
Camas Days features two parades, music, street vendors, bathtub races, a wine and microbrew street and kids’ activities. Craft activities and food vendors will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. July 26 and 27. Wine, craft beer and live music will be offered 5-11 p.m.
The Cedar Creek Grist Mill is hosting Blueberry Pancake Day from 1 to 4 p.m. July 27 at 43907 N.E. Grist Mill Road, Woodland. Enjoy pancakes from flour milled on site with fresh, local blueberries and blueberry syrup. Admission and food are free.
Ride Around Clark County is 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 27, featuring four scenic bicycle routes ranging from a family-friendly, 18-mile route all the way up to 104 miles. All routes have food, mechanics and gear support with a finish-line celebration and sandwich bar. Children 12 and under ride free with a paid adult. Helmets are required.
The Vancouver Arts & Music Festival returns to Esther Short Park and downtown Vancouver Aug. 2-4 .The festival offers three stages, juried art shows, pop-up galleries, dance performances, family activities, food vendors and concerts by the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. Visit Artists Alley next to City Hall and at the Vancouver Hilton.
The Clark County Fair is coming to the Clark County Event Center at the Fairgrounds, 17402 N.E. Delfel Road, Ridgefield, Aug. 2 to 11. Advance tickets purchased online are $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and $7 for kids 7 to 12. Tickets at the gate are $2 more. Kids 6 and under are free. Carnival wristbands for unlimited rides are $35 if purchased online or $37 at the booth. The fair is open daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. except on Fridays and Saturdays, when it closes at 11 p.m. Rides open daily at noon. Parking is $8.
The Craft Beer and Wine Fest in Esther Short Park features 60 craft brews, 20 craft wineries, local craft spirits and live music including Johnny Wheels & the Swamp Donkeys, Revisiting Creedence, Queen Mother, A Cheaper Trick and Candy-O. Hours are 5 to 10 p.m. Aug. 9, noon to 10 a.m. Aug. 10 and noon to 5 p.m. Aug. 11. Tickets are $46 to $140.
The Washougal Art and Music Festival is 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 10 at Reflection Plaza on Main Street. The artists’ market features several dozen local artists selling their one-of-a-kind creation. Live music will be provided by the Washougal Songcraft Festival.
The Vancouver Wine & Jazz Festival in Esther Short Park features jazz, blues, gospel and pop musicians, Northwest wines, fine art, food and exhibits. Hours are 3 to 10 p.m. Aug. 23, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Aug. 24 and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Aug. 25. Non-refundable tickets range from $30 for a one-day pass to $105 for a three-day pass. Tickets are available at the gate but are discounted at vancouverwinejazz.com.
The Port of Camas-Washougal hosts Wheels and Wings from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 24 at Grove Field Airport, 632 N.E. 267th Ave., Camas. The event includes a free hot dog lunch and a car and airplane walk-through. Registration is $20.
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