Try This: Secondhand artistry

Enjoy live music, family entertainment and works of art at the Recycled Arts Festival. More than 100 artists will showcase artwork, from sculptures to dresses, made from recycled or reused materials. Entertainment includes performances by Portland Taiko, Fadin’ By 9 and Robert Richter & Moonlight Mile. A camp for children features activities from the Portland’s Children Museum and Eartha the Clown. The Mudeye Puppets show at 11:30 a.m. Sunday is followed by puppet-making workshop for kids from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m.

When: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. today; and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.

Where: Esther Short Park, 301 W. Eighth St., Vancouver.

Admission: Free.

On the Web: http://recycledartsfestival.com.

The arts festival is one of several events taking place this weekend. Others include a theater production and an archaeological dig.

2. Safe water fun

Get ready for summer fun at the Water Safety Festival, a family-oriented festival that includes interactive water safety stations, bounce houses, food and activity books. Demonstrations include the marine patrol, canine units and a visit from Clark County Fire District 6 fire trucks. The festival will also have a “flipper-thon,” with swim teams swimming laps to raise funds for water safety education. Hosted by Little Lifesavers, a water safety foundation.

When: 2-5 p.m. Sunday.

Where: Kids Club Fun and Fitness, 13914 N.W. Third Court, Vancouver.

Admission: Free.

Telephone: 360-546-5437.

On the Web: http://kidsclubfunandfitness.com.

3. Final shows of ‘Life With Father’

Magenta Theater presents “Life With Father,” a comedy set in the late 1800s about a family finding out that the father, Clarence Day Sr., was never baptized, therefore making his marriage to his wife, Vinnie, and their four red-headed sons illegitimate. A constant stream of maids and out-of-town visitors adds to the complications as the family plots baptize the father with comedic results.

When: 2 p.m. today.

Where: Magenta Theater, 606 Main St., Vancouver.

Admission: $12-$15.

Telephone: 360-635-4358.

On the Web: http://magentatheater.com.

4. Be a history explorer

Discover history in the dirt with Fort Vancouver’s Kids Dig. Children 8-12 can participate in a mock archaeological dig, mapping artifact finds and recording data with the help of park archaeologists. Available on first-come, first served basis. Check out the Public Archaeology Field School 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. today in the Fort Vancouver Village and the historic weapons demonstrations at 2 p.m. today and Sunday.

When: Kids Dig 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. today; Fort open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.

Where: 1001 E. Fifth St., Vancouver.

Admission: $3; $5 per family; free for children 15 and younger.

Telephone: 360-816-6230.

On the Web: http://fortvan.org.

5. Racing and espionage in ‘Cars 2’

Star racecar Lightning McQueen (voiced by Owen Wilson) will compete in the first-ever World Grand Prix to determine the world’s fastest car, with his best friend Mater (Larry the Cable Guy) to cheer him on. But the road to the championship hits a detour when Mater gets caught up in a top-secret mission led by British super spy Finn McMissile (Michael Caine) and spy-in-training Holley Shiftwell (Emily Mortimer). “Cars 2” is rated G.

When: Showtimes vary.

Where: Battle Ground Cinema, 1700 S.W. Ninth Ave., Battle Ground; Cinetopia, 11700 S.E. Seventh St., Vancouver; various Clark County Regal Cinemas locations.

Admission: Varies by theater.

Telephone: Battle Ground Cinema, 360-666-7200; Cinetopia, 360-213-2800; Regal Cinemas, 800-326-3264.

On the Web: http://www.battlegroundcinema.com, http://cinetopia.com or http://www.fandango.com.