Feast Portland
Clear your stomach and your palate, the biggest food festival of the year is underway! Feast brings chefs, food lovers, and delicious eats together for a weekend-long celebration of tasting. There are tons of events to enjoy like "East Coast vs. West Coast," "Brunch Village: Breakfast Around the World," and "The Big Feast Presented by New Seasons Market," many of which may be sold out by now, but there's definitely something for everyone! Visit feastportland for a full list of venues and times. (Thurs-Sun Sept 12-15, Various Locations) WM. STEVEN HUMPHREY
Taste of Latinoamérica
What better way to usher in the last days of summer (September is still summer in Oregon, right?) than with a belly full of delicious food from across Latin America? Oaxacan tlayudas, fried plantains, Haitian beef stew, mole, tamales, churros, cubanosâthe only problem with Portland Mercado's annual Taste of LatinoamĂ©rica is knowing where to begin. (Sat Sept 7, noon, Portland Mercado, free, all ages) ALEX ZIELINSKI
Amor El Paso
A fundraising event benefitting the El Paso Community Foundation, featuring opportunities to purchase clothing, works of art from El Paso creators, drinks by Townshend's Distillery, food from Bullard and Stella Taco, raffle prizes from Outdoor Voices, the Portland Pickles, Dr. Martens, and many more. (Thurs Sept 5, 5 pm, Woodlark, free w/ rsvp)
Oregon Brews & BBQs
A celebration of the summer cookout in all its hoppy, yeasty, saucy glory, benefitting the St. James Catholic School and GhanaHope Foundation, featuring over 40 taps serving up craft beers from over 25 breweries, conveniently available to help wash down the amazing barbecue while you groove to much live music, all barely contained in 18,000 square feet of prime McMinnville real estate. (Sept 6-8, Fri 5 pm, Sat-Sun noon, 400 NE Baker, $15)
Clackamas County On Tap & Uncorked
People in Portland definitely love to make their little jokes about that big ol' county to the Southeast of the city, containing more than its fair share of boonies. But you know what, Clackamas uses those boonies quite well, to craft some of the state's most delicious spirits, and among the roses in the Sara Hite Memorial Garden, you can discover for yourself just how many great beers, wines, ciders, and spirits there are in Clackamas. Admission includes a souvenir glass. (Sat Sept 7, 1 pm, The Milwaukie Center, $15, all ages)
Harvest Party
The poster proclaims there "ain't no party like a harvest party" and while that claim seems bold in the face of previous claims from parties as varied as Death Row Records, the West Coast of America, and Scranton-based paper company Dunder-Mifflin, Cerulean is set on proving it with an all-day barbecue with games and wine aplenty in their vineyards. (Sun Sept 8, noon, Cerulean, $30)
Nourish to Flourish
Stoor to Door's annual benefit gala, presented by Fred Meyer, includes food and drink, of course, and a raffle that forgoes the regular raffle rules and does things Price is Right style, as well as a live auction, and more. (Thurs Sept 12, 5:30 pm, Exchange Ballroom, $100-750, all ages)
Zoiglhaus Oktoberfest
It's pretty fun to say "Zoiglhaus" out loud. It's likely even more fun to go to Zoiglhaus, and indulge as they take their turn celebrating Oktoberfest over the course of this late-summer/early-autumn weekend, full of beer, "prost!"-ing, good food, and good cheer. (Fri-Sun Sept 13-15, Zoiglhaus Brewing Company)
Meow Village Fundraiser
All three Portland Petite Provence locations (NE Alberta, SE Division, and SE Sandy) are presenting special breakfast and brunch items all weekend long, including "meowmosas" and "meowgaritas," with proceeds benefitting local non-profit Meow Village, who will also have representatives on-site to educate diners on how they can help, or even adopt a rescued cat. (Fri-Sun Sept 13-15, 7 am, Petite Provence on NE Alberta, SE Division, and SE Sandy)
Melty Fest
Tillamook presents a daytime food party, with ice cream, floats, and melted and grilled cheese offerings from Portland chefs like Peter Cho, Gabriel Rucker, Tommy Habetz, John Gorham, and Maya Lovelace, along with out of town friends including Howard and Anita Hsu (Sweet Auburn Barbecue, Atlanta), Joe and Katy Kindred (Kindred, Davidson), Michael Scelfo (The Longfellow Bar, Cambridge), and more. Come for the food and stay for the family-friendly activities, including live cooking demos, a craft corner, outdoor games, face painting, and live music from Portland's own Micah and Me. (Sat Sept 15, 4 pm, The Redd on Salmon, $35-65, all ages)
Heirloom Tomato Dinner
If you appreciate yourself a delicious heirloom tomato, Bergerac has you covered, using a whole bunch of 'em in this evening's four-course menu, from local farmer Briar Botanicals, paired with wines by Oregon City's Kings Raven Winery. (Wed Sept 18, 6:30 pm, Bergerac Restaurant, $80)
Oaks Park Oktoberfest
No need to travel to Munich, weâve got multiple Oktoberfests right here in Portland! Head to Oaks Park for a full weekend spent celebrating German culture with authentic food and delicious Paulaner beer, polka bands, Bavarian dancing, games, a whole bunch of venders, and good family-friendly fun hosted by the German American Society of Portland. (Sept 20-22, Fri 4 pm, Sat-Sun 11 am, Oaks Amusement Park, $3-6, all ages)
16th Annual Hood River Hops Fest
Sure, it's a little out of the way, but it's not like Hood River isn't a beautiful daytrip destination, especially when you know there's liquid gold at the end of the road. The Hood River Hops Fest features over 50 breweries showcasing over 60 fresh hop beers, as well local food options and arts and crafts vendors, all underscored by a steady stream of live music. (Sat Sept 21, noon, Columbia Lot, $10-15)
Summer Spirits Fest
Sneaking in juuuust before Summer makes its last call is this Spirits Fest at the Saturday Market, showcasing some of the best local liquors to sip either straight or in finely crafted cocktails on-site. Tastings are free, but if you have the coin and the wherewithal, you can leave with more than a few bottles, too. Distilleries include Bull Run, Heritage, Rose City, Vinn, and Vivacity. (Fri-Sat Sept 21-22, 11 am, Portland Saturday Market, free)
Portland Polish Festival
If you are a fan of fantastic food and fun, the annual Polish Festival is the place to be. Picture this: non-stop onstage performances including polka and Klezmer bands (including a Polka contest), insanely tasty Polish food like Golabki, bigos, and sausages, and most importantly BEER. Lots and lots of glorious BEER. If you can find a more enjoyable outdoor experience, please email me courtesy of this paper. (Sept 21-22, Sat 11 am, Sun noon, Polish Hall, free, all ages) WM. STEVEN HUMPHREY
15th Annual Widmer Brothers Oktoberfest
To celebrate the 15th straight year of throwing one of the city's best Oktoberfest shindigs, Widmer Brothers are bringing the whole shebang back home to their brewery, transforming it into a celebration not just of the season, but of beer itself, with their regular roster of delicious beers as well as a bunch of special small-batch beers only available at the fest. You'll also be treated to live music, along with an array of games, activities, and food from local carts. (Sat Sept 28, 1 pm, Widmer Brothers Brewing)
The Bloody Mary Festival
Now in it's third year, this spicy festival has hit up all the finest brunches in Portland to determine who has the best bloodys, and they're serving 'em up at the Redd, with food, live music, and more as well. (Sun Sept 29, 10:30 am, The Redd on Salmon, $45-55)
