Festivals and Events

The Sunrise Communities are rich in festivals and events

Milwaukie Daze 5K Walk Run and Pancake Breakfast
May 22
The 1st Annual Race for Milwaukie Daze is a benefit to support the funding for the Milwaukie Daze Festival.  The Race for Milwaukie Daze is a non-timed, non-competitive 5K run/walk for the entire family. A pancake breakfast will be served starting at 9:00 at the Odd Fellows Building at 10300 SE Main Street in Milwaukie for all participants after the race. The breakfast and run are sponsored by Bob's Red Mill. Check the website for an event map, parking map, registration form, or to register.

4th of July Family Festival
9:00am
The town of Happy Valley holds their annual Family Festival in Happy Valley Park. Festivities begin at 9:00 a.m. with a guided Independence Hike (meet at the 145th Wetlands parking lot). A family parade with floats, wagons and bikes begins at 145th and Ridgecrest Road at noon, and ends at the park. Music, games, crafts, slides and bounce houses will be available at the park, and fireworks will begin at dusk. All events are free! Parking is plentiful, but post-fireworks traffic can be heavy. For more information, visit the Happy Valley website.

Milwaukie Daze Festival and Parade
July 23 - 24
Presented by Celebrate Milwaukie, Inc. and held at the Milwaukie river front, the 2010 events include carnival rides at the riverfront, a free movie night on Friday, and a bigger and better parade. The festivities will end with fireworks at the river front. For more information contact Lisa Shippy at 503-841-3732 or visit their website.


Day in Damascus
July 31, 10am - 4 pm
Day in Damascus is a long-standing, community celebration, focusing on family fun, great entertainment and great food all to support the Damascus Civic Park and other community service activities of KIWANIS!
Come early (8:30am to 10:30am) and start with a pancake breakfast benefiting KIWANIS community service projects. Damascus Park is the venue for a Safety Fair and Kiwanis Kids' Day filled with booths, games, petting zoo, bounce houses, climbing wall, great food, outstanding entertainment and much, much more! There's free entertainment, a Bring-Your-Dog show, Farmers’ Market and Crafters’ Marketplace. You'll also find wine, cheese and chocolate tastings nearby. Details can be found on their website.

Chautauqua Festival
August 6 - 8
Don't miss Gladstone's annual family-oriented festival! Enjoy artisan vendors and food booths, 2-days of free, regional live entertainment, parade, senior day, street dance and beer garden for adults. Other events include royalty coronation, art exhibit historical display, library book sale, fire engine rides, Bingo, pancake breakfast, farmer's market, chili cook-off, 5K run/walk, a movie in the park for children and much more! For more information, call 503-656-5225, opt. 1, ext. 4.

Pickathon
August 6 - 8
Experience the 12th Annual Pickathon Indie Roots Music Festival at the amazing 80 acre festival grounds of Pendarvis Farm in Happy Valley. Pickathon provides one of the best summer festival lineups of 2010. The continuous three day weekend of music is presented on 6 stages that includes workshops taught by the performing artists. The indoor Galaxy Barn stage becomes a late-night (21+) venue at 9pm until 2am.

 
Pendarvis Farm provides 80 acres of lush meadow and forested campgrounds with hiking, audience views of Mt. Hood, food and craft vendors, beer gardens, picking galore, beautiful site and stage design, fresh water, an array of shade and venue covering, and much more.  Kids under 12 are free when the family comes to Pickathon and will be greeted by a continuous array of planned kid activities and performances throughout the weekend.  If you are a beginning to advanced musician plan on bringing your instrument as plenty of other folks will be doing the same. For line-up, tickets and info visit their website.

Celebration in Boring
September 12 10:00am - 4:00pm

The 6th annual celebration in Boring will take place in September. It is a family event showcasing community organizations, BBQ, ice cream, soft drinks, live music, auction, and a raffle. For more information email karlafarr@gmail.com.


The Sounds of Summer 
  
Scott Park Concerts
On Wednesdays from June 21 to August 25 concerts will take place from noon to 1:00pm. in the Scott Park amphitheatre located next to the Ledding Library, 10660 SE 21st Avenue in Milwaukie. Papa Murphy's will have food on site. Call 503-654-2493 for more information. 
 
Ardenwald Park Concerts
On Thursdays in August concerts will take place starting at 7:00pm at Ardenwald Park, 3667 SE Roswell Street in Milwaukie.


Winter Solstice & Christmas Ships
December 

Held in late December, Milwaukie’s Winter Solstice Event has been a cherished tradition for years. Neighbors gather at the Milwaukie Riverfront Park to view the Christmas ships, warm by the roaring bonfire and enjoy caroling and warm refreshments. Clackamas Fire District No.1's Operation Santa - a collection event that fills hundreds of food baskets for needy families – collects toys and takes non-perishable food donations during the evening. Visit their website for more information on Operation Santa.

The Christmas Ship Fleet averages about 55 to 60 boats between the two Columbia and Willamette River fleets. Both fleets are out every night for two weeks in December. Visit their website for their schedule and more information.

For more information please call Beth Ragel at 503-786-7568.

Milwaukie's main street businesses have banded to together to present ART A la CARTE the first Friday evening of every month. The industrious group of dedicated business members, in an all volunteer effort, have developed evenings of a variety of art at various businesses, a treasure hunt for children, and a variety of music at various stops that will resonate with a wide variety of listener. Many of the businesses in the downtown Milwaukie area are part of ART a la CARTE and are offering specials on those Friday evenings. Bring the family and plan on great evenings in downtown Milwaukie. Visit their website for details.


For more information on any or all these area activities contact the Chamber office at 503-654-7777, or visit their website.