1. Root for the home teams
Travel back in time with nine innings of 1860s Vintage Base Ball. The roots of America’s pastime, back when the sport was two words, will be recreated by costumed players and historical supporters. Attendees will see the Sherman Base Ball Club take on the Occidental Base Ball Club of Vancouver, with play-by-play announcing and music between innings by the Vancouver Community Concert Band. Blankets, lawn chairs and picnic fare are encouraged for the game, which begins at 6 p.m. July 25 on the parade grounds of the Fort Vancouver National Site, 612 E. Reserve St., Vancouver. Admission is free. www.nps.gov/fova
2. Camas celebrates
The 41st annual Camas Days celebration features six blocks of food booths and handmade crafts, a kids street full of youth activities and the Toast of Camas: a local wine and microbrew area with live music. The street activities run 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., with the Toast of Camas running 5 to 11 p.m. July 24-25. The events are free, with a $5 admission for Toast of Camas for those 21 and older. The kids parade begins at 12:15 p.m. July 24 in front of City Hall, 616 N.E. Fourth Ave., Camas. The Grand Parade featuring “Moments to Remember” begins at 11 a.m. July 25 along Fourth Avenue. It will be followed by the bath tub races at 1 p.m. at the corner of Fourth Avenue and Franklin Street. The Lacamas Lake Half Marathon and 5K begins at 7:30 a.m. July 26, and the Camas Washougal Rotary Club’s Duck Derby takes place at noon on the Washougal River. It is $90 to participate in the half-marathon, $50 for the 5K, and $15 for the children’s run. There is no day-of-race registration. www.cwchamber.com or www.fleetfeetpdx.com/races/lacamas-lake
3. Savor the flavor
Follow the scent of pancakes and blueberries to the Cedar Creek Grist Mill for Blueberry Pancake Day. The annual day celebrates the historical grist mill by using flour made at the mill for freshly served buttermilk pancakes, with local blueberries mixed in and topped with a blue berry syrup. Visitors can learn about the history of the grist mill, take home a bag of flour and enjoy the scenery. The pancake day begins at noon to 4 p.m. July 25 at the Cedar Creek Grist Mill, 43907 N.E. Grist Mill Road, Woodland. The event is free, though donations are encouraged. 360-225-5832 or www.cedarcreekgristmill.org
4. Craft beer
The 28th annual Oregon Brewers Festival celebrates the art of craft beer, featuring 90 breweries from across the United States highlighting more than 30 different styles of beer, plus five craft breweries from New Zealand and seven from the Netherlands. There is also the soda garden for minors and designated drivers. The festival runs noon to 9 p.m. July 24-25 and noon to 7 p.m. July 26 at Tom McCall Waterfront Park, Southwest Oak Street and Naito Parkway, Portland. Admission is free, with $7 for a tasting glass, and $1 for a tasting token. www.oregonbrewfest.com
