The dog days of summer are behind us, but summer events keep steaming along. This weekend you can party like a Viking, explore Hispanic heritage, or listen to a large selection of live music from cover bands to jazz greats. We’ve also got the opening of the Oregon State Fair and a Rose City Rollers championship derby rematch.
Viking Beer Fest
Take a stroll through a Nordic village during this two-day festival featuring craft brews, meads, and ciders. There will also be authentic Nordic foods, a Viking reenactment, live combat demos, plenty of live music and other family-friendly fun. Friday admission is limited to 21 and older only. Family day is Saturday.
4-10 p.m. Friday, noon-10 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 22-23, Nordic Northwest, 8800 S.W. Oleson Road; admission $43.45 for tasting, $17.85 for non-drinkers, ages 5 and younger free Saturday only; nordicnorthwest.org/viking-beer-fest.
Raíces: Hispanic Heritage Exhibit (The Dalles)
Visit The Dalles for the opening of an exhibit highlighting the color, rhythm, and flavor of Hispanic heritage. The five-week celebration begins Friday with an evening of live music and cultural performances, food vendors, cultural and community booths, hands-on art activities and more.
Opening celebration 4-8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 22, the exhibit remains on view during museum hours through Sept. 27, The Dalles Art Center, 220 E. Fourth St., The Dalles; free admission; thedallesartcenter.org.
Harefest (Salem)
Capital City Retro Fest brings three nights of tribute bands to the Gerry Frank Amphitheater. Expect bands that cover hit music from Nirvana and Beastie Boys, Journey, ABBA, and Fleetwood Mac. It’s a multi-generation music rewind in the heart of Salem’s Riverfront Park. There’s a complete lineup of food carts too, a central bar adults. Lawn chairs and blankets are allowed in designated areas only.
Music starts at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 22-24, Gerry Frank Amphitheater, Riverfront Park, 200 Water St. N.E., Salem; single night tickets start at $25 or $60 for a 3-day pass; www.capcityretro.com.
Oregon State Fair
Have you had enough of county fairs at this point? We hope you saved some room because the Oregon State Fair is the crown jewel of all the fairs happening this summer. The headlining musical acts are off the charts this year and include Wynonna Judd, The Beach Boys, Goo Goo Dolls, and Cheap Trick (additional tickets required). Of course, the fair will also offer all the things you love about fairs including livestock showing, carnival rides and games, 4H and FFA events, and family entertainment daily.
Fair gates open at 10 a.m. and close at 10 p.m. weekdays and 11 p.m. weekends Friday, Aug. 22, through Monday, Sept. 1, Oregon State Fairgrounds, 2330 17th St. N.E. Salem; admission $3-$12, ages 5 and younger free; oregonstatefair.org.
Vancouver Wine and Jazz Festival
This summer must-do in Vancouver celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2025. The talent lineup includes Ben Rice & The PDX Hustle, Norman Sylvester, Arturo Sandoval, Shemekia Copeland, and many other top musical acts. The festival also features local wines, art shows, food booths and more. Ages 12 and younger are free with paying adult.
3-10 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 22-24, Esther Short Park, Eighth and Columbia streets, Vancouver; tickets start at $30 (advance); vancouverwinejazz.com.
Beaverton Music Festival
Raqueño Productions, a minority- and women-owned company, brings this free westside family-friendly event to Beaverton for its second year. Enjoy plenty of food booths, and communing with your neighbors while main stage music offers Latin beats, blues, funk, country, Motown and high-energy covers.
Noon-9 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 23, Griffith Park, 4731 S.W. Griffith Drive, Beaverton; free; beavertonmusicfestival.com.
Smile Boat Parade
The Bridgeton Neighborhood Association hosts the second annual parade through the waters of North Portland. Both motorized and human-powered watercraft parade in a show of community support and just general fun. The parade starts at the east end of Hayden Island and continues to the Railroad Bridge. Check the website if you want to register your craft and participate. Spectators are encouraged to watch from area bike paths and from either side of the Interstate 5 Bridge (see map).
11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 23, at Hayden Island; livebridgeton.com/events.
Silobration NW (Carlton)
This annual family-friendly event takes place in an 82-acre vineyard and farm and offers wine tasting, live music, farm-fresh goods, activities for kids, lawn games, ax-throwing, and more. Admission is free, but some activities require a bracelet ($10).
11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Aug. 23-24, Abbey Road Farm, 10280 N.E. Oak Springs Farm Road, Carlton; abbeyroadfarm.com/event/silobration-nw.
Rose City Rollers Championship Rematch
It’s the return of the high-stakes matchup that won the Rose City Rollers its world championship in 2024. Arch Rival Roller Derby from St. Louis will be in the house trying to avenge its loss. This event has even higher stakes as it will be broadcast live on the All Women’s Sports Network (check your local listings). If you don’t get that channel, head down to the Hangar at Oaks Park and watch it live.
6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 23, at The Hangar, 7805 S.E. Oaks Park Way; tickets $25 plus fees; rollerderbytickets.com/events.
“The Hatchery”
Many Hats Collaboration announces the return of “The Hatchery,” a new works festival that supports new music and movement-centered theater. After a week of intensive new work development in the studio, two production teams will perform what they have produced in workshop performances and community-focused events.
2-8:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 24, The Judy, 1000 S.W. Broadway T-100; tickets are pay-what-you-can; manyhatscollaboration.org/thehatchery.
Rizo
Check out this fierce but kindhearted fusion of comedy, burlesque, performance art, and rock ‘n’ roll.” Award-winning Rizo (né Amelia Zirin-Brown) fully embraces the role of chanteuse in a show that promises glitter, glam, and amazing vocals.
8 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 27, Alberta Rose Theater, 3000 N.E. Alberta St.; tickets $35.25; etix.com/ticket.
– If you have events you’d like to see highlighted at OregonLive.com or in the weekly printed A&E section of The Oregonian, please email submissions to [email protected] at least three weeks prior to the start of your event. Digital images or links to videos are helpful.
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