3 on 3 Basketball Tournament at Vancouver Landing.
Now in its seventh year, Hoops on the River is a 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament open to all interested basketball players, youth to adult, beginner to experienced; and will take place August 17-19, 2012 at Vancouver Landing (110 Columbia Street, next to the Quay Restaurant & Bar).
Hoops on the River is a charity tournament organized by Susan Oberst of Share Vancouver, along with the help of many generous donors and incredible volunteers, to help the hungry and homeless in Clark County. Team divisions include: Elite 6′ and Over, Elite 6′ and Under, Elite Women, Co-Ed, Youth (1st Grade and older), Wheelchair and Special Olympics; as well as a Slam Dunk Competition, Three Point Shootout and Celebrity Game.
With summer upon us (finally) here in the Pacific Northwest, it’s time to enjoy a little taste of Hawaii. No, I don’t mean go take a trip to Hawaii; just let the island atmosphere come to you.
Come share the aloha spirit of the Hawaiian Islands July 27 –28, 2012 in Esther Short Park during Ke Kukui Foundation’s Ho‘ike and Hawaiian Festival; a celebration of Polynesian culture with free, island-style entertainment.
Friday, July 27, the party starts at 5 pm for the festival’s acclaimed Hapa Haole Hula Competition; where hula dancers from across the U.S. and Canada vie for honors dancing to the wacky and wonderful music from the early days of Hawaiian tourism.
The festival culminates on Saturday, July 28, with an all-day Ho‘ike (exhibition) of Hawaiian and Polynesian dance and music, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., with vendors offering all kinds of ono (delicious) island food and beautiful Polynesian arts and crafts. Keiki events, traditional Hawaiian games, and nose flute making are just some of the additional activities to be offered.
So, I’ve played a piano before, but how do you play art? I’ve always thought pianos were beautiful, and I have to admit, I never really considered them “Art”…until now.
Vancouver’s School of Piano Technology for the Blind is bringing beautiful playable art to a public space near you. Kim J. Capeloto, president of the School’s Board of Directors, today announced “Keys to the City,” a ten day citywide music/arts program featuring ten pianos in local gathering spots around Vancouver August 17-26, 2012.
For the project, students from the School are preparing and tuning ten pianos and turning them over to local artists. Each artist will personalize the piano and create a beautifully decorated piece of art. Upon completion, the pianos will be placed in some of Vancouver’s most popular public places and gathering spots for a ten day celebration of music. The pianos will be available for everyone to play from very beginners to virtuosos.
As soon as they become available, piano locations and pictures will be available on the School of Piano Technology for the Blind website; fans may also vote for their favorite decorated piano. At the conclusion of the event, the pianos will be donated to local non-profit agencies.
Sip and stroll and chat, and even dance if you want to, your way from Uptown to Downtown Vancouver at the annual Sip and Stroll event on Saturday, July 28, 2012.
Sip and Stroll is a fabulous wine and beer tasting event held across 30 different locations in Downtown Vancouver. Come and enjoy a relaxed summer evening strolling in and out of Vancouver’s growing collection of cool sports bars, state-of-the-art climbing and athletic facilities, our own regional wineries and craft breweries, unique antique and gift shops, fantastic restaurants, and much, much more!
Enjoy the tour your way…this is a self guided tour with shops remaining open from 5 pm to 9 pm. “Our guests begin at the registration building at 1602 Main Street (facility generously provided by Burgerville USA). Guests receive a wrist band, walking map, and commemorative sipping glass. The registration area is in the middle of the wine tasting locations so our guests can venture either north through the charming district of Uptown Village, or south through exciting downtown. At the end of each of these tours we will have a courtesy shuttle bus take you to the opposite end, so that each guest can enjoy the entire tour and end up back at the registration area. The registration area will also have great prices on bottles of beer and wine that you have just tasted.” ~Sip and Stroll
The Third Annual Heisen House Lavender Festival will take place on Saturday, July 28, 2012 from noon to 6 pm.
Relax, savor and enjoy the scent of nature’s own stress reliever and discover its many uses at this family style farm celebration including: Lavender Craft Demonstrations, Lavender Lotions and Potions, Tips on Cooking with Lavender, Fresh and Dried Lavender and Herbs, Music and Entertainment, Face Painting, Games, Food, Local Art, Craft, Farm, and Garden Products, and More!
The Relay for Life of Vancouver will take place on Saturday, July 21, 2012 at Columbia River High School.
The Survivors and Caregivers Lap will kick off the 24th Annual Relay For Life of Vancouver at 10:00 am on Saturday, July 21, 2012. Survivors and Caregivers will walk the Columbia River High School track, surrounded by friends and family cheering them on.
A special Fight Back Ceremony, held during the American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Vancouver, will provide everyone in all of Clark County the opportunity to make a pledge to take personal action in the fight against cancer. The ceremony will be held at Columbia River High School in Hazel Dell on Saturday, July 21, 2012 at 5:00 pm.
Anyone desiring to make a “fight back” pledge may do so by participating in the ceremony or by visiting Relay for Life of Vancouver . Pledges are personal commitments to help the American Cancer Society achieve its mission of saving lives by helping people stay well, by helping people get well, by finding cures, and by fighting back against the disease. Pledges may range from making lifestyle changes to reduce cancer risk, to volunteering for programs that help those battling cancer, to advocating that cancer be a priority for elected officials.
“We all come to Relay For Life for similar reasons as we may have battled cancer ourselves or may have lost a loved one to the disease. Through the Fight Back Ceremony, we are able to join forces in making specific, individual commitments to do something to help eliminate cancer as a major health problem,” said Jule Webster, volunteer co-chair of the Relay event in Vancouver.
Enjoy an evening of wine tasting and delicious bites while walking through the quaint shops at Battle Ground Village at Vino in the Village on the third Tuesday of the month.
Local restaurants pairing with local wineries for an evening of wine, food and fun! Every 3rd Tuesday, 5-8pm, July 17, August 21, and September 18, 2012.
Why did the chicken cross the road? Take the Coop du Jour Tour on Saturday, July 14, 2012 anytime between 11 am and 4 pm, and find out how to keep your chickens in your own backyard and away from the road.
This is the third annual self-guided Chicken Coop Tour and is easily walkable or a short bike ride throughout the charming, tree-lined neighborhoods of Downtown Vancouver. Peck, er, I mean, pick the brains of current backyard chicken owners and learn about raising urban chickens.
The Clark County Fair is the biggest summer event of the summer here, and will run Friday, August 3 through Sunday, August 12, 2012! The Clark County Fair has been a family tradition since I was little ( although contrary to what my kids say, I was NOT at the first Clark County Fair!) and every year there is something new to enjoy.
This year’s theme is Summer’s Best Goes West and is an interactive exhibit that will take you back to the days of the Wild Wild West! “Wander into this simulation of a complete western town and you might just get caught in the cross fire of a bank robbery, gun fight – or worse yet, get tossed into our simulated jail cell for some great photo-ops! Kids will love the laser shooting gallery, mechanical roping horse and miniature donkey petting zoo. For the not so feint of heart, check out the Haunted Gold Mine presented by Scream at the Beach Productions.”
There’s loads of free Grandstand Entertainment every day, with Big Air Moto X, Medieval Jousting, Barrel Racing, Demolition Derby, Truck Pull, Bull Riding, Tuff Trucks and Monster Trucks! There are also various stages and activity/entertainment spots throughout the fairgrounds like Dock Dogs, Hypnotist, Hula Hoop Contests, Pirates Parrot Show and Super Science.
The SleepCountry Amphitheater will host the fair concerts, including Sara Evans, Creed, Chris Young, Sublime and the Texaco Country Showdown. The Texaco Country Showdown is a FREE concert on August 5th. “It’s the biggest country music talent search in the country, and the Washington State finals are happening during the Clark County Fair! If you are chomping at the bit to find out who is going to win this showdown and head off to the national finals in Tennessee for a chance to win $100,000 and national recognition as “Best New Act in Country”, then you better come to the Clark County Fair on August 5th”.
Then, there’s the food, the rides, the games, the animals, the vendors, the crafts, the famous Clark County Dairy Womens Milkshakes…and more…
The Vancouver Occidentals are Vancouver’s original baseball team, and they are ready to play some ball! It’s baseball, 1860’s style, and you can “catch” it on Saturday, July 21, 2012. Game time begins at 6 pm and lasts about 2 hours.
You will think you stepped back in time at this Vintage Baseball Game played at Fort Vancouver. Not only are the players in costume, even the fans get into character. Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, and even the band, dressed in 1860’s attire.
This gloveless game with wooden bats is played by very different rules. “Striker to the line”, means the batter is up. He takes a couple of practice swings and then shows the hurler (pitcher) where he would like the ball. The ball is pitched underhand and it is the job of the hurler to get the ball into play. There are no strikes, no balls and a batter can only “strike out” if he swings and misses at three pitches. Also a ball caught after the first bounce is also considered an out. It was a real gentleman’s game played just for fun.
Honorary Clark County Sheriff for the Day Carter Harris will be cutting the ribbon at Hazel Dell Burgerville (corner of 99th St and Hwy 99) on Friday, July 6, 2012 at 1:30 to kick off the Christmas in July toy drive. Neighborhood associations in Clark County have had a special burden on their hearts for years when it comes to kids having a memorable and exciting Christmas. Last Christmas over 1000 kids were provided with toys through the hard work and contributions of many neighborhood volunteers and community partners. These efforts are collaborative, uniting many businesses, schools, government agencies, and citizens together to focus on our community’s most precious asset, our youth.
The toy drive will start on July 6, 2012 and last through July 27, 2012. Please drop new, unwrapped toys at any of the following locations:
Join the Fourth Plain Merchants Association in partnership with Americans Building Community for the 3rd Annual Fourth Plain International Festival on Saturday, July 14, 2012 from 10 am to 4 pm at Warrior Field (2000 Norris Road and Fourth Plain, Vancouver).
The Fourth Plain International Festival is the cultural experience of the summer and hosts a variety of local artisans, musicians, restaurants, and community organizations showcasing their talents and love for the vibrant and diverse cultures represented in our community. Everyone is welcome free of charge and is invited to experience the food, music, and dance from around the world.
This family friendly festival has free activities for all ages including, live music and dance performances, face painting, murals demonstration, a dunk tank, and the largest dodge ball tournament in the area. All food items are reasonably priced at $1-$5 per item allowing you to experience the diversity of our community one bite at a time.
Battle Ground Harvest Days has been a Clark County tradition since 1960, and will take place this year the third weekend of July (hey, just like every year ;-) ) Friday, Saturday and Sunday, July 20-22, 2012.
This year’s Harvest Days has been redesigned to be more of a “Family Oriented Fun Center” and is returning to the Heart of the Battle Ground area ~ to the east end of Main Street and the Old Town Battle Ground area. This is Battle Ground’s largest annual event and includes the Fred Meyer Grand Parade, Harvest Days Run, Market and Food Vendors, Live Entertainment, Bingo, Beer and Wine Garden, Harvest Nights Cruise, Family Fun Arena and lots more!
Battle Ground Harvest Days opening ceremony will take place at noon on Friday, and the three days of fun begins! Friday the Battle Ground Chamber of Commerce presents the Harvest Nights Cruise in honor of Officer Mike Molzahn. “Kustoms, Hot Rods, Classics, “Choppers” and Two Wheeled Classics are invited to participate. BBQ will be provided by the Battle Ground Elks Lodge and the Battle Ground Rose Float will be on display. Come out and listen to Flashback Entertainment! You can Cruise to the Tunes at 97.9FM. Harvest Night Cruise shirts will be available for purchase with the proceeds to benefit the BG Youth Suicide Prevention Program “A Walk to Stop”.” ~Battle Ground Chamber of Commerce
This year’s Harvest Days Run takes place Sunday, July 22, 2012. The run is part of the annual Harvest Days Celebration in Battle Ground, Washington and includes a Half Marathon, 8K, and Family Run.
“We have so much going on with this years Harvest Days Run. We have a new look for the logo, new finisher medals representing the history of Battle Ground and North Clark County moving forward, New Tech T-shirts, Pint Glasses, video and a very well supported running event by our community. Every year the Battle Ground Chamber of Commerce puts on its Annual “Harvest Days” Festival weekend including Carnival, Fred Meyer Grand Parade, Market & Food Vendors, Live Entertainment, Bingo, Beer & Wine Garden, Car Show & Shine, and lots more!
Tucked away in the forested wetlands near Lacamas Lake, Camas Meadows Golf Club is a beautiful place to visit; and not just for golfers. Camas Meadows is once again hosting Concerts for a Cause every Tuesday from July 10 to August 21, 2012 from 6:30-9:00 pm.
Concerts for a Cause is a series of outdoor concerts held at Camas Meadows Golf Club (4105 NW Camas Meadows Drive, Camas). You’ll be able to enjoy a different live band every week (and dancing on the patio if you feel like it) for a $5 suggested donation. Food and beverages will also be available and proceeds will benefit some great local charities.
“The only difference between men and boys is the price of their toys.” We’ve all heard that saying, and The Big Shindig car show seems to be living proof of that!
“Well folks. Its that time again. The Big Shindig is back for another year.
Sat July 7th, High Noon.
Held at the corner of 9th and Main st. in downtown Vancouver WA.
The Big Shindig is a tribute to traditionally styled rides and the people who possess talent and creativity you can’t buy from some ******* in California. We encourage owner built rods and customs, 1963 and earlier, where the creativity and ingenuity shine more than the accessories.
Are you ready to ride…or just watch? The Vancouver Rodeo at the Clark County Saddle Club will be “ropin’, ridin’ and buckin'” July 4-7, 2012.
More than 8,000 people attend this rodeo each year and the Vancouver Rodeo has the most contestants in attendance in the Northwest Professional Rodeo Association.
There are four days of entertainment, including Steer Wrestling, Bull Riding, Barrel Racing, Bronco Busting, Roping excitement; and new this year, the McMillan Family Trick Riders! The Queen will be there, and of course what would a rodeo be without a clown?
English Estate Winery will welcome more than 40 local artists, musicians and food vendors July 14-15, 2012 at the 5th annual Art & Wine Fair. The fair will blanket the land throughout this 109-year-old estate, located at 17806 SE 1 st St., within Vancouver’s city limits, just 15 minutes from the Portland Airport.
Come enjoy two fun filled days at English Estate, 11-7 p.m Saturday and 12-6 p.m. on Sunday. Local musicians will perform throughout the day while you can shop for art, sip wine and grab a bite to eat.
Water colors, oils, jewelry, pottery, woodcraft and more capture the Estate during these two days. “We have a great representation of local artists and musicians at our Fair this year,” said owner Carl English. “This year we have two locations for music, so the vendors and attendees on the Manor House lawn will enjoy music also.” For a full list of participating artist and musicians,view the English Estate Winery Art and Wine Fair flyer.
English Estate Winery is also known for its success of Bag-in-a-Beautiful Box wines – selling boxed wine since 2003. Clark County’s oldest winery is located in East County within Vancouver’s city limits, and is known for its pure Estate Pinot Noir and sweet fortified dessert wines. English Estate’s The Loafing Shed tasting room is open on Friday, 12-9 p.m.; Sat-Sun 12-6 p.m.; and Mondays 4:30-7 p.m.