Camas, WA — The annual Camas Days is upon us, and we’ve included a schedule of events for people of all ages.

FRIDAY
10:00 am – 8:00 pm VENDOR BOOTHS OPEN Six City blocks, downtown Camas. Handmade crafts, gifts food and more!

10:00 am – 8:00 pm FOOD BOOTHS Birch between 3rd and 4th Avenue. Food from all over the world, and your classic festival favorites!

11:00 am – 8:00pm KIDS STREET: Climb For Fun! Rockwall, fast-pitch, jump house, slide and more on Dallas & 4th.

11:30 am KIDS PARADE LINE UP & JUDGING: In front of City Hall, 4th & Franklin.

12:15pm KIDS PARADE BEGINS

5:00 pm – 11 p.m. (Gates close at 10:30) A TOAST OF CAMAS: Wine & Microbrew Street. On Birch Street, between 4th & 5th. Live Music! Blues rock & classic rock all evening long! $5 entry at the door, 21 and over only.

Entertainment: 5:00 – 7:00: The Beth Willis Band & 7:00- 11:00: Wise Guys

Baseball

Call 360.696.9877

SATURDAY

7:30 am – 11:00 am BLUEBERRY PANCAKE BREAKFAST Camas United Methodist Church at 14th & Garfield.

10:00 am – 8:00 pm VENDOR BOOTHS OPEN Six City blocks, downtown Camas. Handmade crafts, gifts food and more!

10:00 am – 8:00 pm FOOD BOOTHS Birch between 3rd and 4th Avenue. Food from all over the world, and your classic festival favorites!

USED BOOK SALE at the Camas Library Friday 10 am-6 pm; Saturday 10 am-3 pm.

Days

The Camas Days Parade.

11:00 am – 8:00 pm KIDS STREET: Climb For Fun! Rockwall, fast-pitch, jump house, slide and more on Dallas & 4th.

11:00 am CAMAS DAYS GRAND PARADE – “Celebrating Papermaker History” themed parade! 4th Avenue, Oak to Adams.

1:00 pm BATHTUB RACES 4th & Franklin. Organized by Lutz Hardware.

5:00 pm – 11 pm (Gates close at 10:30) A TOAST OF CAMAS: Wine & Microbrew Street. On Birch Street, between 4th & 5th. Live Music! Blues rock & classic rock all evening long! $5 entry at the door, 21 and over only.

Entertainment: 5:00 – 7:00: The Beth Willis Band & 7:00- 11:00: Wise Guys

6:00 pm – 8:00 pm Steak Feed at Grove Field: Field BBQ your own steak! (chicken available)
Dinner includes 6 oz Steak, Salad, Baked Potato, Lemonade, Pork & Beans, & Cake $15 per person (PRICE INCLUDES INTRODUCTORY MEMBERSHIP IN CWAA). Proceeds benefit CWAA scholarship fund. Bring your own steak knife!

SUNDAY
8:00 am – 7:00 pm ANNUAL SOFTBALL TOURNAMENT ASA sanctioned “D” tournament at Ione & 19th.

10:00 am-4 pm Grove Field Open House: Raffle, plane rides @ $25, Airplane displays, soft drinks.

12:00 pm DUCKY DERBY Watch from the 3rd Ave Bridge on the Washougal River as the C/W Rotary Club launches all its ducks and a grand prize winner is chosen!

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Hood River, OR — 2018 marks the 25th anniversary of the Hood River County Fruit Loop – the popular 35-mile scenic drive that provides the ultimate self-guided tour of the area’s acclaimed agritourism, with numbered stops at farm stands, u-pick farms, wineries, cideries, and lavender farms. New for 2018: Updated number signs that makes finding each stop even easier!

To get there from the Portland Metro area, take I-84 Exit 64 and head up Hwy 35 towards Mt. Hood. To get a feel for the variety of agriculture that defines Hood River Valley, stop at Panorama Point where you’ll also have a view of Mt. Hood and Mt. Adams on a clear day.

We recommend you stop at all the locations on the Fruit Loop map, but here are some suggestions to help get you started: The Gorge White House is a working pear orchard that offers wine tasting from most all of the Gorge region wines. Here you can also sample and purchase local fruit, u-pick berries, and u-pick flowers.

Fruit Loop Fun Facts:

  • Started in 1993 with 19 stops
  • Of the original members, four are still on the Fruit Loop today: Kiyokawa Family Orchards, Mt. View Orchards, Smiley’s Red Barn, The Farm Place (formerly Rasmussen Farms)
  • Current number of stops: 28
  • In addition to the self-guided driving tour from April through November, the Hood River County Fruit Loop also offers annual special events, including Cherry Days (June), Lavender DAZE Festival (June), Summer Fruit Celebration (August), Gravenstein Apple Days (September) and Pumpkin Patches (October).
  • Things you can do on the Fruit Loop: Pick (fruit, flowers, pumpkins), sample (fruit, cider, jellies, pies, and more!), sip (cider & wine), pet (baby goats, bunnies), swing (Draper Girls Family Farm), picnic, photograph (orchards in bloom, Mount Hood & Adams, fruit galore), fill (growlers of cider, stomachs), relax, recharge.

More food for thought:

  • The lavender farms offer u-pick lavender starting at the end of June, all the way through October.
  • The upper valley offers berries in July and August, and Heirloom Apples and Pears in the fall.
  • The Fruit Loop is beautiful year round, but be sure to visit during the April Blossom Fest time to see acres of orchards in bloom, and the Fall harvest when the fruit is piled high in the bins.

The Fruit Loop is also famous for its many festivals. Get all the details here: http://hoodriverfruitloop.com/

Washougal, WA — Step into the enchanted world of Broadway’s modern classic, Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast,” an international sensation that has played to over 35 million people worldwide in 13 countries. Based on the Academy Award-winning animated feature, the stage version includes all of the wonderful songs written by Alan Menken and the late Howard Ashman, along with new songs by Mr. Menken and Tim Rice. The original Broadway production ran for over thirteen years and was nominated for nine Tony Awards, including Best Musical.

The classic story tells of Belle, a young woman in a provincial town, and the Beast, who is really a young prince trapped under the spell of an enchantress. If the Beast can learn to love and be loved, the curse will end and he will be transformed into his former self. But time is running out. If the Beast does not learn his lesson soon, he and his household will be doomed for all eternity.

Performances are July 27 – Aug 5, 2018 at Washburn Performing Arts Center at Washougal High School, 1201 39th Street, Washougal WA, 98671.   Tickets are on sale now at journeytheater.org or by calling 360.750.8550.  Pre-sale adult tickets are $18.  Youth and senior tickets are $12.   Our “family day” performances are July 28th at 2:00 pm and 7:00 pm with all tickets $12 in advance.  Tickets for all performances are $4 more at the door.

Public Performances

Friday, July 27 – 7:00 pm

Saturday, July 28 – 2:00 pm

Saturday, July 28 – 7:00 pm

Sunday, July 29 – 2:00 pm

Friday, August 3 – 7:00 pm

Saturday, August 4 – 2:00 pm

Saturday, August 4 – 7:00 pm

Sunday, August 5 – 2:00 pm


About Journey Theater Arts Group

Our mission: “Growing youth in character, confidence and creativity, in a Christ centered community.”  Throughout the Portland/Vancouver area, Journey offers dozens of classes for ages 6-18, in drama, dance, voice and more.   In addition, we produce 12 Broadway-style shows in four locations during the school year, improv competitions, multiple summer camps and professional-level community theater musicals for all ages in summer.  Journey is a nonprofit educational organization, with offices located at 1400 NE 136th Ave, Suite 201, Vancouver WA, 98684.  Contact at 360.750.8550 or www.journeytheater.org.

 

Camas, WA — The annual Camas Poker Tour is always a fun night! And, it’s happening today, Friday, July 6th, 5-8pm. The 13th annual Camas Poker Tour, is sponsored by Camas Antiques, throughout participating businesses:

  • Collect a “poker card” from each participating merchant
  • Turn in your cards to the dealer at Camas Antiques by 8:00pm
  • You will be dealt playing cards to match the number of business “poker cards” that you have (the more businesses you visit, the more chances for a great hand!)
  • Great prizes donated by local businesses will be awarded to the 5 highest hands! Good Luck!

Enjoy other family-friendly games throughout town and earn tickets to enter to win a prize basket from the merchants!

  • Jackpot Plinko!
  • Lucky Rollers
  • Spin and Win
  • Downtown Dice
  • Card War
  • Toss it in
  • More!

 

Poker participation and activity lists can be found at the DCA table at Journey Church and at participating shops.

Other activities for First Friday include:

  • Ribbon Cutting at 5pm to welcome Hey Jack to Downtown Camas!

 

Poker

A salmon entree at Hey Jack,

So much going on all over town! Shop, dine, enjoy the galleries, listen to live music, and more!

To learn more, visit www.downtowncamas.com

Washougal, WA – The Southwest Washington Tamale Festival is a new event to celebrate the richness of Latino culture in Southwest Washington.   Presented by the Southwest Washington League of United Latin American Citizens, the family-friendly event will be held in downtown Washougal on Saturday June 30, from 1 to 9 p.m. and is free and open to the public.

“Tamales are a traditional and delicious part of Latino food culture and are the perfect focus for a festival,” said Carmen McKibben, SW WA LULAC immediate past council president and event organizer. “As you would expect, we have vendors offering delicious tamales to purchase and enjoy while supplies last. We will also have other food offerings with a Latino flair, a beer garden, lively music and entertainment.”  Entertainment will include guitarist Benjamin Rose at 2 p.m. and 4:15 p.m.; Ballet Papaloti Dancers at 3:30 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.; and Son de Cuba performing at 7 p.m.

The event will also offer a craft area for kids, lead by student volunteers from LULAC National Education Services Center Vancouver.  “We will be doing lots of fun crafts with a cultural theme for elementary-age kids,” said event volunteer, Pat Cano.  “Activities will include making Ojos de Dio crosses with Popsicle sticks and yarn, creating paper masks and painting plaster Day of the Dead skulls.  It will be a whole lot of craft fun! Some cutting, weaving, painting and coloring!”

Rounding out the fun, there will be a tamale contest open to professionals such as restaurants, caterers and food trucks as well as individuals with their own family recipes.  Entry deadline is June 22, 2018 and details can be found at www.swwatamalefest.com.

Entries will be judged in three categories; Meat, No-Meat/Veggie and Sweet/Dessert.  Winners will be determined based on taste, technique, appearance and overall quality. Prizes will be awarded for the winning entries. Contest judges include Washougal Mayor Molly Coston and Vancouver Mayor Anne McEnerny-Ogle.

“Tamale recipes are a source of pride not only with restaurants but among families as well,” said Hector Hinojosa, SW WA LULAC council president and tamale contest organizer.  “This contest will be a lot of fun and give some bragging rights to the winners!”

Event sponsors include SW WA LULAC, BNSF, Law office of Eulalia Soto, Molina Healthcare, IQ Credit Union, Riverview Community Bank and Vancouver Brew Fest.  It is also funded in part by City of Washougal Lodging Tax Funds.

Proceeds and donations collected from event will support future scholarship stipends for local youth.

For more information, contact the festival at swwatamalefest@gmail.com, check their website  www.swwatamalefest.com or follow them on Facebook.

“We are excited to share our rich Latino culture with festival guests and start a new local tradition,” said McKibben.

Tamale

People are looking forward to this event.

Camas, WA — June’s First Friday celebration is all about the Dog Days of Summer. Running this Friday, June 1st, from 5-8 pm, participants will get to enjoy a fun talent and fashion show with prizes, along with vendor booths, children’s craft stations, a dog breed guessing activity in participating businesses, and so much more.

There will also be a dog and owner look-alike contest! Bring your favorite pooch (leashes required) and make a fun night of it. The Downtown Camas Association thanks Naturally Healthy Pet in Downtown Camas for sponsoring this event.

The Doggie Fashion Show & Owner Look Alike Contest starts at 6 pm; and the Doggie Talent Contest starts at 7 pm. For the Fashion Show, the judging will be for Funniest, Cutest, and Most Creative. For the Talent Contest, the judging will be for most clever, most difficult, and cutest talents. Sign up when you get to First Friday at the DCA table, up to 15 minutes before each event. The contests, crafts and other fun will be between 4th and 5th on Cedar Street. No cost to enter.

There will also be vendors! Dog Specific Vendors coming to the “Dog Days of Summer” are:

PNW Visiting Vet

Must Love Dogs NW

Polka Dot Paws

Deborah’s Creations

Wigglin’ Home Boxer Rescue

Pup Town Cafe

High Expectations Dog Training

WCGHS (West Columbia Gorge Humane Society)

Other activities for First Friday include:

So much going on all over town! Shop, dine, enjoy the galleries, listen to live music, and more!

Washougal WA — Camas and Washougal community members are being asked to help make an impact on the lives of school families who need a little help with summer meals.  IMPACT CW (Camas-Washougal), organized by St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Washougal, will be held on Sunday, June 10 from 11am to 2pm at Parker’s Landing Historic Park at the Port of Camas-Washougal, to collect donations and fill food boxes.

“We are asking the community to drive up and drop off their food donations,” said Beth Raetz, Impact CW Committee Member and Church Office Secretary. “If they can, we’d love to have them stop for a while, help fill boxes, enjoy a free BBQ lunch and listen to an outdoor concert by the Camas-Washougal Community Orchestra.”

St. Matthew Pastor Bob Barber started the event and continues to be a driving force. According to Raetz, the event grew from a sermon series “Be the Difference,” which culminated in going shopping and packing boxes during the Sunday morning worship service for the first event.  Barber is the 2018 Camas-Washougal Chamber of Commerce’s selection for Citizen of the Year.

Although many people are conditioned to make food donations around the holidays, Raetz explains that there is another critical need at this time of year.  “We are targeting families in the schools who receive free breakfast and free lunches and are a part of the backpack programs,” she said. “When school stops for summer those meals end.  These kids may get into a summer meal program but there could be several weeks before they start.  These meals will help to bridge that gap.  It just gives them a boost.”

Now in its fourth year, IMPACT CW is growing. “This year we are continuing to invite groups to get involved and help out,” said Raetz.  “We have high school students working on their community service hours, scout troops, church groups, businesses and families volunteering to help.  It is so wonderful to see families from little ones to big ones all helping to fill up boxes.”

Once the boxes are filled, they will be packed in a U-haul truck and on Monday morning will be delivered to Camas and Washougal schools who will then connect the boxes with families in need.

Schools are currently working to identify those families who could use some help.  “Last year we made 140 boxes,” said Raetz. “This year we expect the need will grow to 200.”

Non-perishable food donations can be made in advance of the event and dropped off at St. Matthew Lutheran Church at 716 Washougal River Road ,Tuesday through Friday from 9:30am to 1:00pm.  Financial contributions can be made through www.gofundme.com/impactcw or checks made out to St. Matthew Lutheran Church.

For more information, contact Raetz at the church office at 360-835-5533.

What is Dozer Day?

Dozer Day is like going to a fair only the rides are real heavy construction equipment. Kids hop in the driver’s seat and actually drive dozers, excavators and other heavy equipment with a professional operator at their side. Not only is it a dream-come-true for kids (and fun for the whole family), the event also benefits many children’s charities.

When is Dozer Day?

Dozer Day is ALWAYS the 3rd weekend in May. The next Dozer Day event will be held Saturday, May 19th and Sunday, May 20th, 2018, from 11am to 4 pm.

How much does Dozer Day cost and where can I get tickets?

Purchase tickets early to save money and avoid the long ticket lines on the day of the event. You can purchase tickets securely online or at participating IQ Credit Unions and Chuck’s Produce. Tickets are good for either day but not both. You must purchase a ticket for each day you attend Dozer Day. Admission is $8 for children (ages 2 – 12) and seniors (60+), $10 for adults and free for those under 2 years old. Tickets on the day of the event are $11 for kids and seniors and $13 for adults. Once admission is paid, the cost of most activities inside the event are free, including equipment rides.

 

Dozer

Having fun at Dozer Day.

Where is Dozer Day held?

Dozer Day will be at Clark County Fairgrounds in Ridgefield, Washington for 2018 (17402 NE Delfel Rd., Ridgefield WA 98642).

What does the fairgrounds charge for parking?

The fairgrounds charges $6.00 to park and only accepts cash.

What is the ideal age for Dozer Day?

Dozer Day has activities for kids of all ages. When it comes to the construction equipment the younger kids get more help from the operators then the older ones. In addition to the heavy equipment there is also an ambulance and firetruck to climb in and around, PUD activities, and lots of sand and construction toys to play with as well. For the bigger kids… If you and the operator fit in the cab together you are good to go! Climb on in, grab the controls and have fun. If you are in the biggest kid category (Yes this includes adults) there are activities geared just for you as well. Have you ever wanted to drive a backhoe? excavator? roller? now’s your chance. Hop in and drive by yourself! In addition to that there is also a scavenger hunt, diamond dig, and shooting for prizes game that caters to big kids as well.

Can the ticket I purchased be used either day?

Tickets can be used either day but in order to attend two days you will need two tickets. You need one ticket per day/per person.

Dozer

Kids will get to see big trucks at Dozer Day.

Camas, WA — 100+ Women Who Care Clark County is holding their organization’s second event on Wednesday, May 9 at Salud Wine Bar in downtown Camas.

The social hour is from 5-6 pm, with the event officially beginning at 6 pm. The event’s guest speaker will be Andy Tucker, who is the Director of Washington Children’s Home Society — the recipient of the local organization’s first donation. He will be sharing with 100+ Women Clark County about how their previous quarter’s contributions impacted the organization, and how the funds were used in the community.

The group will also celebrate having 100 members with a champagne toast hosted by Arktana Shoes. This makes it one of the fastest growing chapters in the organization’s history. During the social hour, Salud is offering all glasses of wine for $5 and there will be free appetizers for everyone courtesy of Thrivent (one of the organization’s sponsors).

During the event, each member writes the name of a charitable organization on a piece of paper, and places that information into a bucket. Three names are drawn, and each organization is discussed. By ballot, the members vote on which charitable group they would like to donate to,  and the votes are tallied. By the end of the hour, the goal is to raise $10,000 ($100 from each member).

The group welcomes all women in Clark County to come and see what they’re all about — you do not need to be a member to attend the event. Come and learn about what their special group of women is doing to make immediate and powerful change in the community!

To learn more, visit 100womenclarkcounty.com

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www.Greshamroofing.com

 

Washougal WA — The Washougal Arts and Culture Alliance is asking the community to get “All Shook Up” about public art and plan to join the fun with Elvis tribute artist, Mark Stevenz, as he entertains on Saturday, April 28 from 7:30-9:30 pm at Los Dos Compadres Cantina at 1713 E Street, Washougal.

“We are looking forward to another fun-filled night with familiar music and lots of Elvis memories,” said WACA board member and event organizer, Joyce Lindsay. “We are also hoping to raise some money to bring more public art to Washougal.” A $10 suggested minimum donation will be requested at the door and a few prizes will be raffled.

The Mark Stevenz Elvis Tribute “Experience” has been called the ultimate tribute to the King! Stevenz’ ability to authentically replicate the shake of the hips, the curl of the lip, the power behind the vocals and get the audience on their feet. Combined with costuming to provide an experience authentic to the decade, Stevenz captivates the audience from the first note.

The Washougal Arts and Culture Alliance continues to grow, and encourages local citizens to learn more about local artists, and to join in their activities. For more information about WACA and public art in Washougal go to their website at www.washougalarts.org