Picnics, boating, and camping are always a super fun and relaxing way to enjoy the Labor Day holiday. However, if you want to try something a little bit different, and will be in the Portland, Oregon metropolitan area, then you will definitely want to check out these exciting events:
Art in the Pearl Fine Arts and Crafts Festival. If you love fine arts and crafts, diverse music, lively theatre, and flavorable food, then you won’t want to miss this aesthetically pleasing and renowned event taking place over the Labor Day weekend. Admission is free, and the event takes place at the scenic and historic Northwest Park blocks of Portland, Oregon between W. Burnside and NW Glisan at NW 8th Avenue. The festival will be open from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, and from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Monday. Convenient parking will be available nearby. This must see event is good for all ages, and children will love the opportunity to participate in hands-on art activities. You will see over one hundred artists showing and selling their prized work, and the live World Music Stage will feature a very eclectic and diverse variety of both traditional American and world music, including some of the following: Gypsy Heart (tribal-style belly dance), Boka Marimba (dance music from Zimbabwe and South Africa), and Negara (World Beatnik). Also, you will not want to leave the festival without trying out the wide selection of tasty and ethnic food from a large variety of vendors.
25th Annual Reptile and Amphibian Show. If you enjoy watching creatures that creep and crawl, then be sure to check out OMSI’s huge and spectacular display of reptiles and amphibians over the Labor Day weekend from September 3rd – 5th from 9:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. in the auditorium. OMSI is located at 1945 SE Water Avenue, Portland, Oregon 97214. The show will cost $3.00; OMSI members are free. You will have an incredible opportunity to see over 100 exotic animals, and will be able to ask an expert the questions you’ve always wanted to ask. You will be able to view special presentations, and will have a very unique opportunity to handle nonvenomous reptiles and amphibians with supervised interaction.
The Annual Dahlia Festival 2011. The entire family will enjoy a relaxing country drive away from the city to view several acres of beautiful dahlias, and over 400 floral arrangements at Swan Island Dahlias located at 995 NW 22nd Avenue, in Canby, Oregon. This free admission and free parking event takes place on August 27th – 29th, and September 3rd – 5th. The indoor display hours will be open from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, and the field hours will be open from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm. Don’t forget to pack a tasty picnic lunch to eat and enjoy amongst the picturesque scenery and blooming flowers. And, in case you forget to pack a picnic, there will be food booths and refreshments available. Some of the activities to enjoy include watching a live dahlia tuber dividing demonstration occurring from noon to 5:00 pm each day, or learning some new techniques at a floral arranging demonstration and discussion occurring at noon and 3:00 pm. You will also want to be sure to purchase some gorgeous fresh cut dahlias to take home with you!
Sources
“Art in the Pearls Fine Arts and Crafts Festival”
“25th Annual Reptile and Amphibian Show,” OMSI Oregon Museum of Science and Industry
“The Annual Dahlia Festival 2011,” Swan Island Dahlias