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8 things to do in the Portland area this weekend: August 16-18

Looking for something to do in Portland this weekend? Here are a few ideas.

PORTLAND, Ore. — Each week, KGW provides a list of events you may want to try in the Portland area over the weekend. 

Here are our picks for this weekend:

Portland Adult Soapbox Derby

Credit: Soapboxracer.com

Every year since 1997, Portland’s finest soapbox racers have pulled their home-built creations to the top of Mount Tabor and let gravity guide them to the bottom of the hill. The races are traditionally held on the third Saturday of August.

  • What: Portland Adult Soapbox Derby
  • When: Saturday, August 17, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
  • Where: Mt. Tabor Park

Click here for more information

2019 Heaven to Earth Festival

Credit: Pioneer Courthouse Square

Join the Westside Vineyard Church and other area churches for music, art, drama, and ministry. This event will feature live bands, drama, dance performances and more. This is a free event and all are welcome.

  • What: 2019 Heaven to Earth Festival
  • When: Saturday, August 17, 11 a.m. - 9 p.m.
  • Where: Pioneer Courthouse Square

Click here for more information

Roses on the River 5K Run & Walk

For a second straight year organizers teamed up with the Portland Thorns FC for a 5K run around the Portland waterfront! You can bring your friends and family out to this super flat and fun 5K run on Saturday, August 17. Later that evening join your fellow participants and head to Providence Park to cheer on the Thorns against the Washington Spirit!  All participants receive a complimentary ticket to match!

RELATED: Organizers move event because of upcoming Portland protest

  • What: Roses on the River 5K Run & Walk
  • When: Saturday, August 17, 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.
  • Where: Eastbank Festival Plaza, 10 SE Main St.  

Click here for more information

Portland Farmers Market at PSU

The farmers market on the Portland State University campus is open year-round, rain or shine on Saturdays. More than 100 vendors sell freshly harvested and carefully prepared foods. Enjoy chef demonstrations, market music and a lineup of food education events.

  • What: PSU Farmers Market
  • When: 8:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.
  • Where: South Park Blocks between SW College & Montgomery on the campus of Portland State University 

Click here for more information

Montavilla Jazz Festival

Credit: Diane Russell
Portland music legend Mel Brown and his all-star B3 Organ Group have wowed audiences for 23 years and counting.

In its sixth year, the Montavilla Jazz Festival features “the freshest, most exciting original jazz compositions from Portland’s eclectic and vibrant Jazz scene.” This year's performers include the Mel Brown B3 Organ Group; Mel Brown and Gordon Lee with the Portland Jazz Composers Ensemble; The Charlie Porter Quintet; and the Ezra Weiss Big Band, among others. See a complete list of this year's artists.

Click here for more information

Oregon Bigfoot Festival

Credit: YouTube
Bigfoot (Portland actor Ira Kortum) appears in a commercial for Cousins Subs. He'll be a guest at the Oregon Bigfoot Festival in Troutdale, Oregon on Saturday, Aug. 17, 2019.

The third-annual festival will feature an appearance from Bigfoot (actor Ira Kortum) himself. Other featured speakers and performers include musical guest and Bigfoot researcher Paul Graves; Mel Skahan of The Bigfoot Beast Mode Show; Sarah Lemos of the Travel Channel’s "Ghosts of Morgan City"; Sasquatch researcher and co-host of Monster X Radio Shane Corson; plus much more.

RELATED: At 93, Oregon man still walks the woods in search of Bigfoot

Click here for more information

'The Science Behind Pixar' at OMSI

Credit: Paul Sakuma
Characters from "The Incredibles," one of Pixar Animation Studios' most beloved movies.

Here’s what OMSI has to say about its exciting new exhibit: "What happens before an animated film reaches the big screen? The Science Behind Pixar is your chance to experience the science, technology, engineering, art, and match concepts used by artists and computer scientists who help bring Pixar's award-winning films to the big screen." Because The Science Behind Pixar is a timed entry exhibition, OMSI strongly recommends advance ticket purchases.

Click here for more information

Portland Hot Sauce Expo

Credit: pdxhotsauceexpo.com
The Portland Hot Sauce Expo will be in the OMSI Bridge Lot on Saturday, Aug. 17 and Sunday, Aug. 18, 2019.

All you need to know about this fiery exhibition can be found in the names of the various events: Doughnuts of Death Challenge; Sausage of Destruction Challenge; The Judgment Day Challenge; The Demon Chili Dogs from Hell; Spicy Pizza of Doom Challenge. And those are just the Saturday events! As the expo's website says, at this event, you'll "experience the most EXTREME eating challenges on Planet Earth." Don't say we didn't warn you!

Click here for more information

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