Portland Area Newsletter and Planner - October 6, 2023

PORTLAND GREEK FESTIVAL
Enjoy authentic Greek food, traditional dance, music, and more with the whole family. When the first Greek immigrants came to the Northwest in the late 1800s to work in fishing, lumber, railroad and other jobs, they established the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Southeast Portland. After they moved to a larger church on 32nd and NE Glisan in 1952, they needed to find a way to pay off the mortgage. The ladies decided to help by holding a bazaar featuring their handwork, food, pastries, music, and dances from their homeland. This began what is now known as the Portland Greek Festival.

After seven decades, the Portland Greek Festival has become one of the largest festivals of its kind, sharing the Greek Orthodox faith and rich culture with over 15,000 guests annually. The festival is an iconic event in the Portland Metropolitan area and has been designated an Oregon Heritage Tradition by the Oregon Heritage Commission. Each year a portion of proceeds from the festival goes toward worthy philanthropic endeavors in the greater Portland community.

HP LOVECRAFT FILM FESTIVAL
The 28th Annual H. P. Lovecraft Film Festival is October 6-8, 2023. Mark your calendar and then prepare for three days of the best new independent short and feature films in the cosmic horror genre, classic screen gems, Special Guest speakers, author readings, panel discussions, art, live events, our world-famous Mall of Cthulhu, and a fantastic community of fans.

OAKS PARK SCARETOWN
Portland Oregon’s ONLY Scream Park returns this fall to one of the oldest amusement parks in the country, the historic Oaks Amusement Park. The Event features three horrifying haunted walkthrough attractions, amusement rides, themed side attractions, mini golf, roller skating, concessions and so much more.

THE SPIRIT OF HALLOWEENTOWN
It’s no Legend of Sleepy Hollow or Night of the Living Dead, but once in the 1990s, the lovely Oregon town of St. Helens was overrun by something worse than zombies or vampires — a Hollywood movie crew! The peaceful waterfront city just 30 miles (48 km) northwest of Portland has never been the same.

Each year, St. Helens, the filming site of the otherwise forgettable Halloweentown, remembers its brush with the dollar DVD bin with  The Spirit of Halloweentown,  a fun, family-friendly celebration of the spookiest holiday around. Complete with costume contests, trick-or-treating through St. Helens’ Old Town District, haunted town tours, and scarecrows galore. The celebration of the creepiest day of the year extends into every weekend in October, starting with the lighting of the Great Pumpkin in the city plaza.

During The Spirit of Halloweentown, local merchants are dying to get you in the spirit, with costume shops stocking everything from frisky vampire getups to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle shells. And with an array of events from ghost talks, tarot card readings, and face painting increasing up to the big day, you’ll want to be dressed and ready for action. So be sure not to miss it, or you’ll be haunted with regret — at least until next year.

THE FEAR PDX HAUNTED HOUSE
PORTLAND'S LARGEST HALLOWEEN EVENT: All-new haunted houses, one location, one ticket. 2023 Attractions: 

• Don't Split Up
• The Mansion
• Smiley's Fun House
• The Harvest
• The Forgotten
• Rotten Pulp
• Dead End
• Radioactive Rampage
• Hazlewood Hills Asylum
• Chopped
• Slasher Shed

UNDERHILL HAUNTED HOUSE
Visit the Trio of Terror:

The Salvage Yard – From the outside, it seems like an abandoned salvage yard, but once inside, you will find it is very much in operation, and they are salvaging more than cars. Why oh why did you decide to visit on a full moon? 

Terror Ship – The ship has crashed on a hostile alien world. The hull is breached, and there is nothing to stop the creatures outside from coming to visit…and hunt… you and the crew. 

Underhill Manor – A mysterious stranger seeking shelter has infected the staff and guests with the worst sort of bug…vampirism. Will Madam Underhill and her Caretaker be taken over, or will they survive a house full of vampires? 

Finally, for little ones under the age of 12 (and those of all ages that are a little Haunted House-phobic), presenting Kids Monster Fest, an immersive matinee experience because haunted houses are so less scary in the daylight. Kids Monster Fest will give you chills and a few scares in a wholesome, kid and family-friendly environment. Also, as the only Halloween event targeted to families with children (and you adult scaredy cats), Kids Monster Fest is the only Halloween event in the Portland downtown metro area. With lots of parking and a short commute to keep you from driving up to an hour to Hillsboro, Salem or Sauvie’s Island for a corn maze or kid-oriented attraction, Kids Monster Fest is a perfect option. You can leave Kids Monster Fest refreshed, a bit scared and a whole lot of excited about Halloween. Kids Monster Fest is scheduled for three matinees October 21-22, 28, from 12 – 3 p.m. This event is now timed in hour blocks and has limited walk-up sales. Due to its popularity, buying your tickets in advance is strongly advised so you don’t miss out on this fun event.

THE CORN MAIZE ON SAUVIE ISLAND
When summer winds down, Portland’s fall arrives with warm, sunny days and cool, clear nights. The ideal way to get lost in autumn’s splendor is at The Maize at the Pumpkin Patch. Located on Sauvie Island., a rural escape just 13 miles (21 km) north of downtown Portland, the Corn Maize offers visitors eight acres (3 hectares) of exciting twists and turns. But it’s not all about getting lost in nature; Two 16-foot (5 m) observation bridges provide picturesque panoramas, with great views of the island and Mount Hood, as well as the maze itself. 

As well as the corn maze, guests can take a trip on a hayride out to the pumpkin patch to find the perfect pumpkin, or pet farm animals and make a new feathery friend at the Big Red Barn. Not in the mood to traipse out into the pumpkin field? Explore the gift shop or have a relaxing lunch in the café, the family farm has activities to delight any visitor.

PORTLAND WING WEEK
Have a pile of napkins ready while you dig into a plate of specially sauced drums and flats at the return of Portland Mercury’s Wing Week — with creative, one-of-a-kind chicken wings available at 62 Portland locations. Even better? Each order of wings will only cost you a mere $8. Yes, it will be amazing — because the Mercury and the Wing Week partners at Jim Beam (thanks, Jim) wouldn’t have it any other way.

SWEET HOME HARVEST FESTIVAL
Visit Sweet Home October 7th, 2023 for their Harvest Festival in Sankey Park at 877 14th Ave., Sweet Home OR.

FUN ACTIVITIES

• Pumpkin Painting
• Tree Climbing
• Kid Zone Games
• Wagon Rides
• Face Painting
• Photo Booth

*All Free Activities and Snacks Are While Supplies Last*

The popular Pie Bake-Off Contest is back!  The Chili Cook-Off is back! . A ticket will be provided as proof of purchase for general admission. Purchasers will use their entry ticket as a ‘voting ticket’ for the People’s Choice Award. The ticket sale profits will go toward the Sweet Home Kids Food Pak.

PORTLAND TATTOO FESTIVAL
Join up for three fun-filled days with tattoos, live performances, contests and more. Get tattooed by amazing artists from around the world.
Come to the Portland Expo Center to observe these artists at work (and potentially go home with your own tattoo). Tickets available at the door

NORTH COAST FOOD TRAIL
Already an expansive way to chow down as you’re touring the Oregon coast, the North Coast Food Trail is getting ready to get bigger. Some 100 or more miles of foodstuffs, drinks and culinary-themed adventures await with Visit Tillamook Coast’s North Coast Food Trail, which starts at the southern edges of the Tillamook County line at Neskowin and runs up through Cannon Beach, Seaside and now Astoria.

MONTAVILLA FARMERS MARKET
Neighborhood farmers market featuring local farms, distilleries, coffee, bakeries, flowers, hot food vendors and more.  The market was founded by a grassroots collection of neighbors who were inspired by visions of a fresh, local, food market in a shared community space within the growing SE Stark Street business district. This dedicated group opened the market in just 10 short months with a small amount of grant funds and a generous outpouring of donations from local businesses, friends and neighbors. The tireless energy of these un-paid visionaries and countless other volunteers allowed MFM to open its first market on Sunday, July 22, 2007, with 17 vendors and over 2000 visitors. Montavilla Farmers Market is a thriving, diverse marketplace where all are welcome.

PORTLAND NIGHT MARKET
The Portland Night Market showcases many unique businesses that call Portland home. Blending food, culture, music, drinks and retail for an adventurous evening in the Central Eastside. Meet some of Portland's best makers and creators. With almost 200 hundred makers, the Night Market offers food carts, drinks, clothing, lifestyle goods, home goods, body care and art. The Portland Night Market is a FREE quarterly event open to all ages. 

FARMERS MARKET AT PORTLAND STATE UNIVERSITY
The Portland Farmers Market at Portland State University will be open every Saturday, year-round. April through October hours are 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. November through March hours are 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Market at PSU is located in Downtown Portland in the South Park Blocks between SW College & Montgomery Streets.

HOLLYWOOD FARMERS MARKETS
Year-round on Saturdays, the Hollywood Farmers Markets hosts 50+ vendors, bringing you the best of the region’s agricultural bounty. In addition to amazingly fresh, local food,  you’ll find live music, children’s activities, and fun events throughout the season.

• April through September, every Saturday 8 AM to 1 PM,
• October and November, every Saturday 9 AM to 1 PM,, and
• December through March: 9 AM to 1PM on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of each month

FEATURED LISTINGS
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