Leisure

Sparks Will Fly As We Celebrate Our Nation's Birthday!

St Paul Rodeo
July 1-4, 2015 (begins 4PM June 30)
30 miles SW of Portland
Watch fearless cowboys and cowgirls ride bucking broncos, rope and wrestle steers, and even ride bulls at the St. Paul Rodeo. Also enjoy a barbecue, carnival, art show, and nightly fireworks. Schedule.

Mollalla Buckaroos Rodeo
July 1-4, 2015
30 miles SSE of Portland
Molalla Buckeroo: Rodeo competition, a carnival, barbecue, live music, dancing and fireworks (nightly following rodeo). Various times Wednesday-Saturday. Visit molallabuckeroo.com for schedule. Molalla Buckeroo Grounds, 815 Shirley St, Molalla; $8-$17; or 503-829-8388

Waterfront Blues Festival
July 2 - 5, 2015
Portland Waterfront
Waterfront Blues Festival features 50 performers on four stages, plus fireworks on July 4th, at Tom McCall Waterfront Park on the Willamette River. Visit their website for schedule and details.

Fireworks
July 4, 2015
Best Fourth of July fireworks

• Waterfront Blues Festival - Downtown Portland. (See above.)
• Oaks Park - 2 miles south of Portland.
• Fort Vancouver - 10 miles north of Portland. (See below.)
• North Plains’ Fourth of July - 18 miles west of Portland.
• Corbett Fun Fest - 22 miles east of Portland.
• St. Paul - 30 miles SW of Portland. (See above.)

Fourth of July at the Fort
July 4, 2015, All day!
10 miles north of Portland
Independence Day At Fort Vancouver includes music and activities at noon and fireworks at 10:05 p.m. Bring a blanket or lawn chair.

Saturdays May thru October! When: Every Saturday, 8:30AM-2PM Where: NW Miller & Third St Historic Downtown Gresham, OR Get Map!

Fresh & Local
Shoppers will find all-natural meats and cheeses, fresh-picked produce, nursery stock and fresh-cut flowers, hand-crafted jewelry, soaps, artwork, and much more. Live music and food are always part of the market.

Located on Northwest Miller Avenue between Second and Third Street 8:30AM to 2PM each Saturday now through Oct. 25.

Located in the NE corner of the Gresham KMart parking lot bordered by Eastman Pky and NW Burnside Rd

Free Concerts on the Plaza When: Mon Jul 06, 2015 6:30-8PM Where: Arts Plaza 401 NE Second St Gresham, OR Get Map!

Performing tonight: Local high school student "Rising Stars" performing Broadway hits

Gresham’s Center for the Arts Foundation is pleased to present the six annual Music Mondays concert series. The series is presented on Monday evenings during July and August, and is supported by the City of Gresham Arts & Culture Grants and the Oregon Cultural Trust through the Multnomah County Arts Coalition. All Music Mondays concerts are free.

Attendees are encouraged to bring chairs or blankets and a picnic to enjoy a summer evening of live music.

Gateway Plaze to Gateway Green When: Thu Jul 09, 2015 6PM-8PM Meet: Gateway Transit Center NE 99th Ave and Pacific St across from concession booth Get Map! Cost: Free

Let's Go Walking!
Join us on another great Ten Toe Express walk throughout inner-city Portland sponsored by the Portland Bureau of Transportation. The Ten Toe Express program is a series of guided walks held Thursdays @ 6PM and Saturdays @ 9AM from May 07th through September 19th 2015.

Each easy and informal Ten Toe Express walk explores the area neighborhood, architecture and unique history. Walk takes about 2 hours, cover 2-4 miles and are open to all ages and skill levels. Did we mention it's free!

Beautiful Views! When: Thu Jul 09, 2015 10AM-5PM Where: Rood Bridge Loop Walk Meet at: Gresham City Hall 1333 NW Eastman Pwy Gresham, OR Get Map!

This three-mile walk begins at the River House in Rood Bridge Park in Hillsboro. We will follow a mix of paved and natural trails to the Tualatin River, going through Douglas fir and maple woods with grand fir and cedar. We will then loop onto a trail with ash, big-leaf maple, and hazel woodlands to a lake full of water lilies and croaking frogs. From here we will follow wooded trails to an amphitheater and continue around Woodland Pond and the Lloyd Baron Rhododen-dron Garden. Wear comfortable walking shoes and bring an energy snack and water. After the walk we will have lunch nearby at Merriweather’s Grill.

• Round-trip travel: 66 miles
• Difficulty: Easy
• Elevation gain: 100 feet
• Suggested donation per hiker: $7

More Info
For more information about this hike please contact Ruth Cummings at 503-926-4840 or cummings0465@frontier.com.

Saturdays May thru October! When: Every Saturday, 8:30AM-2PM Where: NW Miller & Third St Historic Downtown Gresham, OR Get Map!

Fresh & Local
Shoppers will find all-natural meats and cheeses, fresh-picked produce, nursery stock and fresh-cut flowers, hand-crafted jewelry, soaps, artwork, and much more. Live music and food are always part of the market.

Located on Northwest Miller Avenue between Second and Third Street 8:30AM to 2PM each Saturday now through Oct. 25.

Come, Lend A Hand... Join Friends of Nadaka to restore a healthy habitat at Nadaka Nature Park. We will be removing invasive species such as English Ivy from the 10 acre forested portion of the park, watering plants, and removing litter. Tools, gloves, and light refreshments will be provided. Dress to work in natural areas: long pants, brimmed hat, and closed-toe sturdy shoes. Please bring a water bottle and a friend!

About Nadaka Nature Park
Nadaka Nature Park is a designated 12-acre natural area with a .5 mile walking loop, tall trees, native plants, grassy meadow plus a Community Garden and Nature Based Play area. Visit Nadaka Nature Park, 176th & NE Glisan St, Gresham OR

More Info
Contact Monica McAllister, Nadaka Nature Park Coordinator, 503-956-8558 or email monica@friendsofnadaka.org. Visit friendsofnadaka.org.

Located in the NE corner of the Gresham KMart parking lot bordered by Eastman Pky and NW Burnside Rd

Free Concerts on the Plaza When: Mon Jul 13, 2015 6:30-8PM Where: Arts Plaza 401 NE Second St Gresham, OR Get Map!

Performing tonight: Julie McCarl and Bodacious bring their Americana sounds for your enjoyment

Gresham’s Center for the Arts Foundation is pleased to present the six annual Music Mondays concert series. The series is presented on Monday evenings during July and August, and is supported by the City of Gresham Arts & Culture Grants and the Oregon Cultural Trust through the Multnomah County Arts Coalition. All Music Mondays concerts are free.

Attendees are encouraged to bring chairs or blankets and a picnic to enjoy a summer evening of live music.