Go: Ideas for Your Weekend — Paddle for Life Dragon Boat Race, Memorial Day

1. Go, dragon, go

Vancouver Lake will be filled with dragons this weekend, as the Paddle for Life Dragon Boat Races offers a series of match-ups on the water. From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 23-24, novice, club and community teams will race each other on either 250- or 500-meter courses. All race proceeds benefit the disabled veterans water sports program. The public is invited to cheer on the racers from shore, with local food and beer vendors on site at Vancouver Lake Park, 6801 N.W. Lower River Road, Vancouver. www.paddleforlife.org

2. In remembrance

The annual Memorial Day Ceremony will be held to honor military veterans past and present and their families. Starting at 11 a.m. May 25, there will be music by the 204th Army Band, Annette Allen and Vancouver Police Officer Rey Reynolds. Speakers include keynote speaker Brigadier General Kurt J. Ryan, U.S. Army Col. John Sweeney, Congresswoman Jaime Herrera Beutler and others at the bandstand on the Fort Vancouver Historic Site Parade Grounds, 1301 Officers Row, Vancouver. The ceremony is hosted by the Community Military Appreciation Committee, National Park Service, Fort Vancouver National Trust and the city of Vancouver. Following the observance, visitors can explore the annual Soldiers’ Bivouac, a historic re-enactment of military camps from the fort’s history. The events are free. cmac11.com/event/memorial-day-observance

3. Music for a summer mood

Summer starts early with the first of Amphitheater Northwest’s concerts as songstress Lana Del Rey brings her “Endless Summer” tour to Clark County, joined by Courtney Love. The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. May 22 at Amphitheater Northwest, 17200 N.E. Delfel Road, Ridgefield. Tickets are $25 to $79.50 through Ticketmaster, 800-745-3000 or www.ticketmaster.com. 360-816-7000 or www.ampnw.com

Heathen Brewery is taking over the taps at the Old Liberty Theater, 115 N. Main Ave., Ridgefield, to showcase its best beers along with a night of music. Heathen Brewery will showcase six of its brews starting at 1 p.m. May 23. The music begins at 7 p.m. with performances by El Diablitos, which bills its sound as a “spaghetti-Western-like quartet,” and The Strange Tones, a band that mixes blues and surf music. Tickets are $10 for those 21 and older. 360-887-7260 or www.oldlibertytheater.com

4. Roses in the city

The annual Portland Rose Festival kicks off May 22 with the opening of the CityFair. Filling the waterfront park with midway rides, live music performances, treats, displays and vendors, the fair includes a free concert by Hit Machine at 8:30 p.m., and a fireworks show at 9:45 p.m. The fair runs throughout the Rose Festival, from 5 to 11 p.m. May 22; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. May 23-25, 30-31 and June 6-7; 3 to 11 p.m. May 28-29; and June 3-5 at Tom McCall Waterfront Park, 1020 S.W. Naito Parkway, Portland. Admission to the fair is $7, free for ages 6 and younger and military members. www.rosefestival.org

5. Community talk

This month’s edition of “Hello Vancouver!” features Jefferson Smith, XRAY FM executive director, and show host Carl Wolfson about the growth of their startup radio station. The show will also feature local singer Britnee Kellogg, magicians Tom and Dave and Friends of the Elder Justice Center. Hosted by Temple Lentz. The community talk show begins at 7 p.m. May 27 at the Kiggins Theatre, 1011 Main St., Vancouver. Admission is free. www.hellovancouver.us