Festival a’brewing
Clark County’s breweries will make a strong showing at the Vancouver Brewfest as they join 52 breweries offering 80 beers. There will be a tiki rum bar highlighting local distilleries, an offering of ciders and wines, free nonalcoholic beverages for designated drivers, along with food vendors. Storm City Roller Derby will host a “Bear Pong” contest throughout the festival. Local musicians will perform throughout the weekend. Brewfest proceeds benefit Disabled American Veterans, Northwest Battle Buddies and Second Chance Companions. The Vancouver Brewfest runs from 4 to 10 p.m. Aug. 7, noon to 10 p.m. Aug. 8 and noon to 6 p.m. Aug. 9 in Esther Short Park, Columbia and West Eighth streets, Vancouver. Admission, for those 21 and older, is $20 to $30 for all three days and $10 for designated drivers. Tasting tokens are $1. 360-619-1111 or www.vancouverbrewfest.com
Mud, sweat and fire
The Spartan Sprint grows bigger each year as hundreds of participants take on the 3-mile obstacle course filled with mud, fire, wooden walls and barbed wire on the Washougal Motorcross Track, 40205 N.E. Borin Road, Washougal. Spectators are welcome to cheer on the participants as waves of races are released every 15 minutes from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 8. Kids ages 4 to 13 can participate in their own Spartan race with mini obstacles starting at 10 a.m. Admission is $20 to $25 for spectators, $25 to $30 for the kids race and $10 for parking. Last-minute race registration is $90 to $135. NBC Sports also will film the elite men’s and women’s competitions, which will air Oct. 13. www.spartan.com
Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious
Journey Theater Arts Group presents an adaptation of the Broadway musical “Mary Poppins.” A mysterious nanny blows into the lives of the Banks family to look after young Jane and Michael. Using a bit of magic and common sense, Mary Poppins helps members of the Banks family value each other again. The production begins at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 7, 8, 14 and 15, 2 p.m. Aug. 8, 9, 15 and 16 at University of Portland’s Mago Hunt Theater, 5000 N. Willamette Blvd., Portland. Tickets are $25 to $28, and $22 to $25 for children and seniors. All tickets are $22 to $25 for the 2 p.m. Aug. 8 performance. www.journeytheater.org/mary-poppins
Eat the state
The 32nd annual Bite of Oregon gives attendees a taste from around the state, as Oregon’s top chefs, wineries, breweries and distilleries offer their best edibles. The food festival’s biggest attraction is the Oregon Bounty Chef’s Table, which highlights locally sourced ingredients from the Oregon Agriculture Commissions for farm-to-table dishes. There also will be food carts, cooking demonstrations, Iron Chef Oregon and Iron Mixologist competitions, two music stages and food vendors. Event proceeds benefit Special Olympics Oregon. Bite of Oregon runs from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Aug. 7 and 8 and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Aug. 9 at Governor Tom McCall Waterfront Park, 1020 S.W. Naito Parkway, Portland. Admission is $5 to $6, free for ages 12 and younger and $15 for a weekend pass. Tasting tickets vary in price. www.biteoforegon.com
