written by Bronte Dod
From balloon and beer festivals to sandcastle contests, here are the events not to miss around Oregon this month.
Taste of Summer | Southern Oregon | June 4
Taste of Summer kicks off the eventful summer season in Jacksonville. It’s also the beginning of the Britt Music and Arts Festival. Stroll artisan vendors and food carts, while you listen to live, local music.
Cannon Beach Sandcastle Contest | Coast | June 10-12
Since 1964, professional and amateur sandcastle builders alike have traveled to Cannon Beach for the annual sandcastle contest. The festival is one of the oldest of its kind in the country and was founded as a fundraiser for the city after a tsunami damaged the coast that year. Celebrations include a parade, live music and a bonfire on the beach. The sand creations will remain on the beach until the tide washes them away.
Oregon Garden Brewfest | Willamette Valley | June 17-19
Get ready for 136 beers and ciders on tap at the Oregon Garden Brewfest. Enjoy games and live music while you sip and walk through the eighty-acre botanical garden. This festival is a 21-and-over event on Friday and Saturday, but everyone is welcome on Sunday.
Festival of Balloons | Willamette Valley | June 24-26
Live music and a beer garden from Rogue Ales and Spirits will cover the ground activities. In the air, dozens of hot air balloons will carry adventurous festival attendees up for an aerial view of the Willamette Valley. A weekend pass to the thirtieth annual festival is $7 per person, though kids under 6 enter for free.
Lake Oswego Festival of the Arts | Willamette Valley | June 24-26
Tens of thousands of visitors come to Lake Oswego for the annual Festival of the Arts. Showcasing established and emerging artists in Oregon, the festival is hosted in George Rogers Park on the Willamette River and has art demonstrations, live music and food vendors.
Beyond the Gate: A Tale of Portland’s Historic Chinatowns | Portland | Through June 21
A variety of objects dating back to the eighteenth century will be on display, helping to tell the story of Chinese immigration to Oregon and the Pacific Northwest. The exhibit explores life in Portland’s old and new Chinatowns at the Oregon Historical Society.
