Area Events
River City Speedway
River City Speedway features Quarter mile clay oval auto racing. Divisions include Modified, Sportsman, Street Stock, Women’s and 4-Cylinder Dwarf Cars, Tracers and Pacific Mini Sprints. Races run from April thru September. For racing schedule go to River City Races.
Columbia Century Challenge
Join us on an a bike odyssey through the historic backroads of beautiful Columbia County in NW Oregon. The Columbia Century Challenge showcases both a Century Plus and a Metric Century Plus, with a new optional route of just 40 miles. This newest ride features gravel logging trails for 55% of the route. The Century Plus route features a 6,500 ft gain in elevation, while the Metric Century Plus gains 4,000 ft. The newest logging road route gains just 1,700 ft. For more detailed information on routes, exact dates and starting points go to their Facebook page.
Portland Gay Pride Waterfront Festival
Events include a bustling festival with plenty of entertainment and performances (featured artists this year include , and more), food and crafts vendors, and hobnobbing at grassy, tree-shaded Tom McCall Park, on the east edge of downtown, overlooking the beautiful Willamette River and the oft-photographed bridges that span it. For more info go to www.Pridenw.org website.
13 Nights on the River Concert Series
Thursday nights June thru August the Columbia View Amphitheater in Historic Riverfront St. Helens becomes the living room of the community. Families & friends gather to enjoy a variety of music with the beautiful Columbia River as a backdrop. An Open Air Market offers options for dinner and a variety of merchandise vendors to peruse as well. Schedule information can be found at the 13 Nights on the River Facebook.
Grand Floral Parade in Portland
For a hundred years, the spectacle of the KeyBank Grand Floral Parade has helped define the Portland Rose Festival as one of the world’s great celebrations. In this — the Rose Festival’s signature event — the larger-than-life all-floral floats, high-stepping marching bands and impressive equestrian units tell a story throughout the grandest parade on the Rose Festival calendar. Thousands line the streets of downtown Portland in anticipation of the largest single-day spectator event in Oregon. Click here for more info.
Foot Traffic Flat Marathon & Half Marathon
The “Flat,” as we affectionately call it, has become a Fourth of July tradition around Portland. The course, as the name implies, is about the flattest and fastest half and full marathon on the West Coast. For more info go to Foot Traffic Flat website.
In addition to the fast times expected from completing this event, runners and walkers will be treated to the beautiful sights of Sauvie Island, including thousands of songbirds, majestic bald eagles, and picturesque farmland that most of the island residents subsist off of. Oh yeah, don’t forget the island-fresh strawberry shortcake! Not only is it scrumptious, but the islanders themselves serve it to you. Be sure to thank them and shake these wonderful people’s hands!
Columbia County Fair
In the great American tradition of County Fairs, the Columbia County Fair & Rodeo’s annual celebration provides opportunities for area residents and visitors to display the skills they’ve developed with much hard work and practice. Rightly so, for the everyday performances of many people are worth celebrating. Whether the produce displayed is canned peaches or steaks on the hoof, beautifully scented roses or pungent garlic, a decorated cake or shorn sheep really doesn’t matter. What matters is the opportunity to share the pleasures of work with others interested in similar pursuits. Over 100 years ago, the Columbia County Pomona Grange members were the start of our Columbia County Fair, and, today, they still take a very active role in the Fair. For more information, go to the Columbia County Fair website.
Rainier Days in the Park
Join us each July for the best family fun and entertainment on the Columbia River in beautiful Rainier, Oregon. FREE Live entertainment, wild rides, fabulous food, shopping, await you at Rainier Days in the Park! We are a tradition of family fun! For more information, go to Rainier Days in the Park website.
Wings And Wheels plus 16k run
Starting and ending at the Scappoose Airpark, this is a one-of-a-kind jewel of an event. The course winds along quiet country roads with views of Mt Hood, Mt St Helens, and Mt Adams. Running next to wetlands with a high probability of seeing some interesting wildlife, this is a wonderful marathon tune-up race. The course also travels along part of the Crown Zellerbach Trail. After the race enjoy the Wings And Wheels festival, complete with live music, hot rods, antique airplanes, food, and beer garden.
All ages event
Free admission
Suggested donation for the Columbia Pacific Food Bank
Cash or non-perishable food
Vernonia Friendship Jamboree & Logging Show
The Vernonia Friendship Jamboree & Logging Show was established in 1957 as a way for friends who had moved away to reunite with friends who remained in Vernonia. The Jamboree has always been a 3 day event, and now takes place the first full weekend in August. The schedule of events changes annually, with the exception of our longest-standing event, The Logging Show. For more information, visit the Vernonia Friendship Jamboree website.
October
Spirit of Halloweentown, every weekend
The Spirit of Halloweentown descends on Saint Helens each October. Join us for a month long celebration of the season. See the giant scarecrows, fall colors and merchants turned to immortal forms as fairies, witches ghosts and ghouls. We love Halloween and we let it show. Visit us on the Spirit of Halloweentown Facebook page for a schedule of activities.
November
Annual Christmas Lighting of Watts House
The annual holiday lighting event is held the Monday after Thanksgiving at the Watts House in Heritage Park (next to City Hall). Come enjoy Christmas carols, cookies, hot chocolate, pictures with Frosty the Snowman, and a visit from Santa Claus. 33568 East Columbia Avenue, Scappoose
December
Christmas Ships
The privately owned vessels come from Portland, Vancouver, McMinnville, Salem and Hood River areas. Some of the ships owners have been part of Christmas tradition for more than 30 years with many being part of the Christmas Ship fleet for over 20 years. Christmas Ships, Inc. is an all-volunteer organization, with no paid staff or officers, just a large group of friendly individual volunteers/skippers who give back to the community they love. A full schedule for the Columbia and Willamette fleets, as well as a link for donations can be found at Christmas Ships website.
Viewing in St. Helens and Columbia City – Both fleets will assemble at the St. Helens City Docks and head downriver to Columbia City, and weather/river conditions permitting crosses to the WA side and the RV Park, then returns to St. Helens City Docks. The fleet is out about two hours. Ships remain overnight at St. Helens City Docks and leave Sunday for the trip up Multnomah Channel. Additional information and outdoor viewing locations
Viewing in Scappoose, Multnomah Channel to the Willamette River – Both the Columbia and the Willamette Fleet will meet in the afternoon at Coon Island and leave for Scappoose then continue up the Multnomah Channel to the Willamette River. This is a long night and arrival at the Willamette River is usually between 8:00P and 8:30P. It is not possible to give a closer time frame due to weather conditions, debris in the river, and other conditions beyond our control.
