Local Events

Battle Ground Yellow Ribbon Event

Eat, Drink and Shop on August 28, 2012.

Make a day of shopping and dining in Battle Ground on Tuesday, August 28, 2012 and you’ll be helping support a memorial to honor local veterans.

Participating businesses in Battle Ground, identified by adorning a yellow ribbon, will donate a portion of their day’s proceeds to the Battle Ground Veterans Memorial Fund. With your help, we can send a powerful message to our local veterans that we recognize and appreciate their sacrifices for our country and our freedom.

“The planned Veteran’s Memorial, located in Battle Ground’s Kiwanis Park, will honor local veterans who have died in service to our country. This special place of honor will provide the community an area for private reflection as well as a gathering place for events honoring the fallen. The memorial will include the names of fallen veterans from the Civil War through our most recent wars and conflicts and embodies elements dedicated to the United States Army, Navy Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard. The funding of the Veteran’s Memorial is solely dependent on public donations and contributions of in-kind services and materials.” ~City of Battle Ground

Endorsed by The City of Battle Ground, Battle Ground Chamber of Commerce, The American Legion, Rotary Club of Battle Ground, Rotary Club of Lewis River, Kiwanis Club, Parks Foundation of Clark County, local Businesses Participating to date:

Getting Ready for Back to School

Chinook, Salmon Creek, Alki and Skyview Events. Three little words that can either bring a smile to your face, …

WSU Vancouver Free Movie Night

Avengers in the Amphitheater.

Enjoy a free showing of “Avengers” at the Washington State University Vancouver (Salmon Creek) Amphitheater on Thursday, August 30, 2012 starting at 8 pm.

5 Restaurants 1 Reservation Culinary Adventure

Benefiting the Hough Foundation.

Enjoy a fabulous five course dinner presented by five premier Vancouver restaurants and five hand picked vintners at the “5 Restaurants, 1 Reservation” culinary adventure at the Vancouver Hilton on Saturday, September 22, 2012 from 5:00 pm to 10:30 pm.

Entertainment will include a silent auction, wine wheel, “Super Raffle” (two airline tickets to almost anywhere, with a maximum of 200 raffle tickets sold) and live musical performance by a former Hough student whose life has been forever enhanced by her participation in Hough Foundation after school enrichment programs.

Pearson Air Museum Open Cockpit Day

Kids Take Flight in Vancouver.

The annual Open Cockpit Day at the Pearson Air Museum (1115 East 5th Street, Vancouver) will be Saturday, August 25, 2012 between 9 am and 5 pm.

This is the one day a year when the “DO NOT CLIMB” and “DO NOT TOUCH” signs are removed, and visitors will have the opportunity to climb into the cockpits of several historic aircraft and see the controls from the pilot’s perspective. Check out the new Flight Simulator Lab and try your hand at landing a plane on Pearson Field!

CRESA Getting Prepared for Some Fun

Annual Open House.

Did you know that September is National Preparedness Month? Makes sense, seeing as one of the dates in September is 9-1-1. This is also the month when Clark Regional Emergency Services Agency (CRESA) invites the community to their Annual Open House; taking place this year on Saturday, September 8, 2012 from 11 am to 2pm at 710 W 13th Street, Downtown Vancouver.

There are lots of activities planned throughout the day, including a coloring station, face painting, creative button making, exploring homeland-security and emergency vehicles, meeting firefighters, police officers, search and rescue dogs and horses, as well as refreshments donated by local businesses.

The public will have the unique opportunity to tour the 9-1-1 center and see dispatchers in action taking emergency calls. Sneak a peek inside the workings of the Emergency Operations Center. Visit with local citizen emergency groups and find out how you can volunteer. Parents can also pick up free Child ID Kits.

Free Community Block Party and BBQ

Food, Fun and Cars. Open House Ministries has partnered with The Rotary Club of Greater Clark County (and other local …

Vancouver Sausage Festival 2012

The Wurst Fun of Summer.

Is it Fest yet? The Vancouver Sausage Festival, deemed the “last blowout of summer fun”, will be the weekend after Labor Day (as always) September 7-9, 2012 on the St. Joseph School and Parish grounds (6500 Highland Drive, Vancouver, WA).

This summer tradition (41 years now!) kicks off Friday night with all the best Fest fun: carnival rides and games, 5K Fun Run (Saturday morning), Bingo, many handicraft booths, a variety of live music and entertainment on the Main stage (including 5 Guys Named Moe, Radical Revolution, dance performances, Hula Hoop contest, and the Grand Finale of the Southwest Washington’s Got Talent contest!) beer and wine in the Fest Garden, and food, food, and more food! Sausage served every way you can think of, corn on the cob, grilled chicken, burgers, elephant ears, and the best home-baked sweets you can imagine!

The Vancouver Sausage Fest is again partnering with the Vancouver Fire Department to support their annual Christmas Food Drive, so please donate a non-perishable food item when you come. General admission is $2 or $1 with a food donation.

Discounted advance admission and carnival ride ticket sales are going on now! Get 5 admission bracelets, good for all three days, for just $7, and save 50% on ride tickets. You can also buy discounted Vancouver Sausage Fest tickets at the following merchants: Hi School Hardware (2515 Main Street), Patrick’s Hawaiian Cafe (316 SE 123rd Ave), Sunrise Bagel (808 Harney), River Maiden Coffee (602 N Divine), Dominoes (14415 SE Mill Plain and 1919 NE Andresen), Athlete’s Corner (2100 B SE 164th Avenue, Suite 102), Holy Redeemer (17010 NE 9th St), St Joseph School (6500 Highland Dr), St Joseph Parish Office (6600 Highland Dr), and Spanky’s (13503 SE Mill Plain).

Just Right Auto Repair Shows Appreciation

Single Moms and Dads Appreciation Day. Just Right Auto Repair will be holding their 2nd Annual “Single Moms (and Dads) …

Couvapalooza 2012

Bridge to the Music. See the hottest emerging bands touring the NW for the first time at the Couvapalooza Music Festival …

Vancouver Green Drinks Wants You to Change Your Clothes

Be Green. Save Some Green.

Are you sick of your old clothes? Do you sometimes wish you could just change your wardrobe with someone else? Are you concerned with the environmental effects of consuming clothing and other household goods? Do you need an excuse to do some summer cleaning and purge? Do you love free stuff? If you answered yes to any of these questions, we’ve got just the event for you! Vancouver Green Drinks is putting on a community clothing swap in August, in place of their monthly networking event. They are partnering with the Habitat for Humanity Store to bring you this exciting opportunity to clean out your closets, get some lightly used clothing, and have some fun-all for free!

The Vancouver Green Drinks Community Clothing Swap will take place August 8, 2012, 5:30 pm at the Clark County Habitat for Humanity ReStore (5000 E Fourth Plain). The idea behind the community clothing swap is to get free clothing and other usable items; and get rid of good, usable stuff you no longer want or need. No money will change hands at this event! Unless, of course, you would like to make a donation to Habitat for Humanity, those will be gladly accepted!

Dig through your closet, drawers and storage, wash clothes you no longer love/wear/need and bring them to this clothing swap. Accepted items will include men’s, women’s and children’s clothing of all sizes, shoes, bags, accessories, household goods, electronics,
media (music, movies, games). Please do not bring TV’s, microwaves, broken, ripped, stained, or unusable items.

Chalk the Walks 2012

Spread the Joy. Discover the power of sidewalk chalk in the 2nd Annual International Chalk the Walks on Tuesday, August …

Hooked on Fun at Columbia Springs

Vancouver’s Carnival for Grown Ups. Remember how much fun school carnivals were when you were growing up? Well, the school …

The Vancouver Wine and Jazz Festival

2012 is Red, Hot and Blue.

The 15th Anniversary Vancouver Wine & Jazz Festival runs four days this year, Thursday through Sunday, August 23, 24, 25, 26, 2012 at Esther Short Park.

“It’s one of the BEST group of internationally acclaimed musicians that we’ve had! This year you will hear a mix of fusion, contemporary and jazz classics; incredible blues–ranging from rock-infused music to southern “New Orleans” style genres; and Latin jazz.” For the complete concert lineup, visit Vancouver Wine and Jazz Festival.

On Thursday, August 23rd the Festival will launch its first Jazz Education Night from 6-9 PM. Thursday will be a “family friendly” night, with FREE admission and no wine or beer. Jazz Education Night will feature four Washington High Schools and their jazz bands: Mountlake Terrace High School (Edmonds), Union High School (Camas), Mountain View High School (Vancouver), and Heritage High School (Vancouver). Each high school will perform on the Main Stage, and donations will be accepted for a scholarship fund for each participating school.

In addition to the music, the Festival features over 200 wines from around the world. Attendees can sample wines with a 1-ounce taste or purchase a glass to sip while enjoying food from 9 local restaurants. The cuisine ranges from Northwest, German and Greek cuisine,
to Hawaiian fare and Philly Cheese Steak. Art and craft lovers can shop the 40 fine artists who travel from California, Montana, Washington & Oregon. Numerous commercial exhibitors are also on hand throughout the weekend displaying the products and services.

Annual Camas Quilt and Fiber Arts Festival

First Friday and Saturday, too. The second annual Camas Quilt & Fiber Arts Festival will take place on the First …

Columbia River High School Football

Annual Dinner and Auction.

Champions are built in the off-season; and our boys have been working hard! Now, come do your part and get ready to celebrate 50 years of Columbia River Chieftain Football at the First Annual Columbia River High School Football Dinner and Auction on Saturday, August 18, 2012.

This pre-season kick-off party will take place at the Clark County Square Dance Center starting at 6 pm, and “will be an evening of fun, great food and one-of-a-kind auction items all in support of Chieftain football. Wear your favorite CRHS gear to show your pride!”

This is an adult only evening, and a great way to meet other parents before the season starts. Tickets are $30 each, $50 per couple, or $180 per table of 8. Enjoy a delicious catered meal and 2 drink tickets for beer or wine, a silent auction as well as a live auction with a wide variety of items, golf packages, getaways and much, much more…

Items are still being accepted for the auction, so if you have an item you would like to donate, call Lynn at 253-405-7910 or Coach Wiggins at (971) 207-9198, [email protected].

For the Love of Dogs

A Day in the Park.

A doggone good time to share with man’s (or woman’s) best friend, For the Love of Dogs: A Day in the Park, on Sunday, August 12, 2012 from 10am to 3pm at Esther Short Park. (610 Esther Street, Vancouver WA)

Camas Days is a Three Ring Circus

Annual Camas Days Festival.

If it’s the fourth weekend in July, then it’s time to head to Camas for their annual Camas Days Festival! This year’s theme is Three Ring Circus, with fun events happening Friday and Saturday, July 27-28, 2012.

Expect to see arts & craft vendors, a gated wine & microbrew street, a food street, concerts in the park, two parades (kids parade on Friday & main parade on Saturday), the ducky derby, the kids activities street, a softball tournament and the famous bathtub races in front of City Hall.

The Kids Parade will begin Friday at 12:15, the Camas Days Grand Parade will be Saturday at 11:00 and the famous Bathtub Races will take place after the Main Parade, at approximately 1:00. To see what else is on the schedule, click here for Camas Days Schedule of Events. Come before the parades, stay after the parades…see for yourself why this is East County’s most famous festival!

Art in the Heart Festival 2012

Downtown Vancouver’s Annual Festival of the Arts.

The annual Art in the Heart is a First Friday Artwalk event so big, it takes over First Saturday, too! The fun begins on Friday, August 3, 2012 from 5pm to 9pm; and will resume on Saturday, August 4 from 10am to 4pm.

First Annual Vancouver Brewfest

Good Times are Brewing in the ‘Couve.

Tap into the fun at the first annual Vancouver Brewfest on Friday and Saturday, August 10-11, 2012 Downtown Vancouver at Esther Short Park.

“We’ll be enjoying two glorious days of fresh northwest beers at Esther Short Park in historic downtown Vancouver, WA. We will also be featuring live music on the main stage, great food, interesting crafts and the proceeds will benefit 4 different charity organizations!” ~Vancouver Brewfest

Typically, August nights here in Vancouver are fabulous, and this is just one more good reason to get outside and enjoy downtown! There will be a wide variety of local brewers participating, including Clark County’s own Heathen Brewing, Laurelwood Brewing, Loowit Brewing, McMenamins Brewing, Mt. Tabor Brewing, Salmon Creek Brewing and West Highland Brewing; click here for a complete list of participating brewers.

And of course, with any good beer, you need some good food to go with it! Enjoy a bite to eat from Beaches Restaurant and Bar, Foody Blues BBQ, Main Event Restaurant and Bar, Vinnie’s Pizza, and Woody’s Tacos.

Last, but not least, every good party deserves good music! “The Vancouver Brewfest wouldn’t be complete without a fun line-up of great local bands. We’re going to keep the music coming with a wide variety of bands rotating throughout the event and culminating in the grand finale with Richie and the Catillacs.”

CouvFest NW

Vancouver’s Summer Music Festival.

Enjoy live, local, and original band performances in a family-friendly environment at CouvFest NW on Friday and Saturday, August 3-4, 2012 right here in the ‘Couve!

This year’s festival will feature fourteen bands over two days, with a kickoff party at 8pm on Friday, August 3rd at Torque Coffee Roasters on 5th and Columbia.

Saturday’s event will take place from noon to 10pm at Turtle Place Park, located along 7th Street between Main and Washington. There will be food carts and other vendors throughout the day, and the opportunity to meet the bands after each live set.

Hoops on the River Basketball Tournament

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.

Hawaiian Festival in Esther Short Park

Aloha, Vancouver.

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.

Experience Playable Art in Vancouver

Can You Find the Keys to the City?

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.