June Events in Oregon and SW Washington

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Summer is finally upon us! Here’s a look at some of the events happening in Oregon and SW Washington this June. Our list includes Portland Rose Festival and other fun ways to enjoy the sun. Head to our calendar for more information including locations, times, and any updated event information.


Bridgetown Comedy Festival – June 1-5


The Bridgetown Comedy Festival is back, starting June 1st, with comedic acts of all varieties. The festival includes over 100 world famous comedic acts, themed shows, improv comedy, and live podcasts. Headlining performers include Rachel Bloom, Aimee Mann and Ted Leo, Eddie Pepitone, and more. Buy a Golden Ticket VIP Pass for exclusive access to all Bridgetown shows.



Rose City Book & Paper Fair – June 3-4

This event is a must for book lovers. Sponsored by Cascade Booksellers, the Rose City Book & Paper Fair features over 50 independent dealers of rare books, prints, and more. Admission is only $3 and benefits the Oregon Food Bank.

Festival of Flowers – June 3-14
This year’s Festival of Flowers in Pioneer Courthouse Square is presented by Whitney Farms. The BE FRIENDLY PDX theme will have over 20,000 flowers and plants. Free performances, activities, and other special events take place at noon every day during the festival.

Oregon State Parks Day – June 4

Enjoy Oregon State Parks camping and day-use areas for free on June 4th. Celebrate at parks throughout the state with special activities such as guided hikes, tours, barbecues, and more. For a complete list of events and things to do at state parks, visit the Oregon State Parks event calendar.

Portland Buddhist Festival – June 4
This is the 13th year of the Portland Buddhist Festival. Join the celebration of “A Declaration of InterDependence” at Colonel Summers Park. The festival includes keynote speakers, meditation, performances, activities for kids, and more. All are welcome to participate in this free event.

Pedalpalooza – June 9-July 4
Pedalpalooza has over 260 cycling events within a three-week festival. Connect with fellow bike-lovers in Portland at events for every level and price point (most are free). Check out the expansive calendar for the 2016 event.

Helvetia Half Marathon & 10K Run/Walk – June 11

Part of the Hood To Coast race series, the Helvetia Half Marathon & 10K Run Walk has been voted the best half marathon in the northwest. Run through the beautiful farmlands of Hillsboro and finish on the Ron Tonkin Field where a Helvetia Tavern burger and beer garden awaits.

Cruisin’ Sherwood – June 11
Les Schwab’s Cruisin’ Sherwood Classic & Custom Car Show is in its 26th year in Sherwood, Oregon. The show features more than 425 hot rods, classic, custom, and collector cars. Supporting the Sherwood Chamber of Commerce, this event also includes a beer garden, arts and crafts, kids activities, and much more.



Sandcastle Contest – June 11


The 51st Annual Sandcastle Contest in Cannon Beach is one of the oldest and most popular Sandcastle contests in Oregon. The contest is the signifier of summer and there are dozens of teams and individual artists competing each year at different levels. This fun-filled day commences with a pancake feed and ends with a beach bonfire. The best time to view the creations is right before judging begins around 1:00pm.

Portland Jewish Film Festival – June 15-29
The 24th Annual Portland Jewish Film Festival features films focusing on the diversity, culture and identity of the Jewish faith. See a full schedule of festival events.

What The Festival – June 17-20
What The Festival is a unique combination of art performances and electronic music located on a 250-acre ranch in Dufur, Oregon. The ranch offers amazing views of Mt. Hood and Mt. Adams. Headlining acts include Thievery Corporation, Bonobo, and Lettuce.

Oregon Garden Brewfest – June 17-19
Experience over 120 beers, ciders, and meads from breweries throughout Oregon, all while touring the 80-acre botanical garden. Oregon Garden Brewfest is a great way to spend Father’s Day weekend. Treat dad to a weekend at the Oregon Garden Resort with a special Brewfest and accommodation package. The Brewfest is kid-friendly and includes performances from local musicians, food, and more.

Portland Pride Festival – June 18-19

The Portland Pride Festival at Waterfront Park is a fun, two-day festival celebrating the LGBTQ community. The festival is part of the larger Portland Pride Week, which includes events all around Portland, such as the popular Pride Parade. Buy a VIP Pass for exclusive two day access to the event and parties. And don’t forget to stop by the official PDX Pride Week kickoff party, FLARE 2016, on June 16th. Summit Mortgage Corporation is sponsoring the much anticipated fashion show.

Saké Fest PDX – June 22
Check out the 6th Annual Saké Fest PDX is being held at the Hilton Portland, the only event of its kind in the Northwest. Sample various food and saké and learn about the traditional Japanese drink and how it pairs with different varieties of food. Rare and premium varieties of Saké will be available.

Recycled Arts Festival – June 25-26
Support the community, recycle, and take home some fun art pieces at the Recycled Arts Festival in Vancouver. Voted the ‘Favorite Downtown Event’, by the Vancouver Downtown Association, the festival has educational activities to entertain the whole family. See a schedule of events and learn about featured artists on the festival website.

Lake Oswego Festival of the Arts – June 26-28

This is the 53rd year of the Lake Oswego Festival of the Arts, put on by the Lakewood Center for the Arts. This regional arts event draws a crowd of 25,000 people per year and features exhibits, fine art crafts, food, music, hands-on activities, and more. Be sure to check out Art in the Park located at George Rogers Park which features over 110 artists and a juried craft fair.

LPGA Portland Classic – June 27-July 3
The Portland Classic celebrates its 45th year with a tournament featuring the best female golfers in the world at the Columbia Edgewater. The tournament has generated over $17 million for local charities.

 


 
Portland Rose Festival Events

The Portland Rose Festival includes several weeks of events celebrating our great Rose City. Here is a look at a few of our favorite events taking place during the Rose Festival.

Starlight Run & Parade – June 4


The evening of June 4th holds two of the most popular events of the Portland Rose Festival: the Starlight Run and the Starlight Parade. The night kicks off with the Starlight Run, the largest fun run in Oregon with over 7,500 projected participants. The run includes a costume contest with prizes for both individual and group costumes. Following the run is the Starlight Parade, sponsored by PGE/SOLVE. The illuminated floats draw a crowd of around 325,000 people per year – find your spot on the parade route early! If you don’t want to brave the crowds, you can always watch a live broadcast of the parade from the comfort of your home on FOX 12.

Fleet Week – June 8-12

Tour military ships during Fleet Week at the Waterfront. Free tours are given daily of visiting ships on a first-come, first-served basis. Ships from the Coast Guard, Navy, and other military branches have been visiting the Rose Festival for the past 80 years. Find a list of all visiting ships here.

Grand Floral Parade – June 11

The Grand Floral Parade has been gracing the streets of Portland for over 100 years. The parade features 14 floats made from flowers, vintage cars, marching bands, and more. This year the 2015 MLS Cup Champions, the Portland Timber, are being honored as Grand Marshals. View the full parade lineup and reserve your seat ahead of time.

Dragon Boat Races – June 11-12

The Chinese tradition of Dragon Boat Races comes to town during the Portland Rose Festival. This two-day event at the waterfront features heats with four teams every nine minutes. Over 80 teams compete from all over the world in boats provided by the Portland-Kaohsiung Sister City Association. Teams have ten-weeks of practice and preparation on the Willamette before the big race day. This unique annual cultural event is one you won’t want to miss.

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