PORTLAND, Oregon — It's the weekend in Portland, and the rain is back, bringing improved air quality with it! After weeks of wildfires around the state, you might be feeling like you deserve a little fun this weekend.
Of course, we're still in the middle of a pandemic, so you might not be able to celebrate the official last weekend of summer like you usually would.
Luckily, there are still plenty of ways to have fun this weekend. Whether you want to watch live music at an online fundraiser, name a baby red panda or watch a comedy show outside, there's something fun to do.
So here are 8 things to do around Portland this weekend:
Help save the Clinton Street Theater at an online fundraiser
The Clinton Street Theater has been in operation since 1915, featuring screenings of classic films, local musical acts, community theater and the longest running continuous weekly screening of "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Of course, just like so many other small businesses, the pandemic has hit the theater hard, and without some help, it may not be able to reopen.
Save the Clinton is a live streamed event to raise money for the theater, presented by Junglecorp. There will be live music, a silent auction and raffle prizes. And if you can't attend the event but still want to help save the Clinton, you can donate here.
When: Saturday, September 19, 7 - 10 p.m.
Where: Online
Go roller skating outside at Oaks Park
The Rose City Rollers are hosting outdoor, socially distanced skating at Oaks Amusement Park! You can rent skates or bring your own, and then skate the entire 43 acres of Oaks property.
When: Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. - 8 p.m. (buy tickets for a specific timeslot in advance)
Where: Oaks Amusement Park, 7805 Oaks Park Way
Enter a raffle to name a baby red panda
Mei Mei had a new baby, and you have a chance to name him! The Oregon Zoo is hosting a "dub the cub" raffle to give Mei Mei's baby a name.
The winner of the raffle will get to meet with Mei Mei's care staff and help them decide on a name. The winner will be announced on Friday, September 25, during Zoo Rendezvous, a free fundraiser the Oregon Zoo Foundation is putting on.
When: Through September 25
Where: Enter the raffle here
Go for a walk to fight melanoma
The 2020 Steps Against Melanoma Walk is going virtual! Instead of a large community gathering, this year's walk can be done wherever you want - on your block, at a park, your favorite trail - wherever! And if the air quality is still bad outside, you can walk around your living room, walk or run on your treadmill, ride your stationary bike or just get moving any other way you want!
When: Saturday, September 19, anytime
Where: Wherever you want! Register here
Drink Oregon beer from home with OMSI
OMSI After Dark is going virtual again! At the brewfest from home, you can try 10 different Oregon beers, get a pair of tasting glasses, hear from a variety of breweries, see science demos and more! Attendees will pick up their beers at OMSI prior to the event.
When: Friday, September 18, 7 p.m.
Where: Online
Join a gothic tiki night livestreamed party
The Lombard Pub in St. Johns is hosting a virtual party to celebrate goth and tiki subcultures at the same time. Make your favorite tropical drink at home, sit back and listen to the music. Organizers say the night "will be a musical journey exploring and blending the genres of exotica, surf, rockabilly, goth, and music that will take you on a dark vacation!"
When: Saturday, September 19, 8 p.m.
Where: Online
Attend the last weekend of a sunflower festival
It's sunflower season! The Plumper Pumkin Patch and Tree Farm is hosting its second annual sunflower festival, where you can wander through two acres of sunflower fields, take photos, visit animals and cut your own sunflower to bring home! The paths between the sunflowers are six feet wide to allow for social distancing.
This is the last weekend of the festival, which is a little sad, but also exciting - because that means the pumpkin patch opens next weekend!
When: Friday through Sunday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Where: Plumper Pumpkin Patch and Tree Farm, 11435 NW Old Cornelius Pass Rd
Watch a comedy show outside
Helium Comedy Club has started a new series called "Lot Laughs," where comedians perform outside in the club's adjacent parking lot. You must wear a face mask and bring your own chair, and spots will be marked on the lot for safe social distancing. Get your ticket in advance here.
This Sunday, Monica Nevi will be performing, who you may have seen on the documentary series on Amazon Prime Video called "80 For 80," FOX’s "Laughs," ESPN’s "Sports Center" and more.
When: Sunday, September 20, 6 p.m.
Where: Helium Comedy Club's adjacent parking lot, 1510 SE 9th Ave
Cassidy Quinn is the host of Tonight With Cassidy on KGW. But right now, like many of you, she is working from home, trying to focus on the happier things going on in the world. Tonight With Cassidy is currently on hiatus, but you can watch previous segments from the show here, and follow Cassidy on Twitter @CassidyQuinn.
