Go, Ideas for your weekend: Opera the Great, DIY faire, fort at dusk

1. Sing the song of opera

Opera Quest Northwest, the nonprofit organization is best known for bring opera to elementary students throughout Clark County, will give a rare public performance. Titled “Opera the Great,” the production will feature five professional singers and a pianist, as they blend excerpts from classic operas. Learn about opera history, famous melodies and iconic characters, aimed at all ages, starting at 3 p.m. Sept. 13 at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Vancouver, 4505 E. 18th St., Vancouver. Admission is $10, $20 for families, free for ages 12 and younger.

503-544-6629 or http://operaquestnw.org

2. What will you make?

From a Tesla coil to a pedal-powered carnival, the Portland Mini Maker Faire will be a giant showcase of the do-it-yourself spirit. Tech enthusiasts, crafters, homesteaders and scientists of all ages will display the things they make in this celebration of creativity and invention. Visitors can see everything from R2-D2, stop motion animation, robots, catapults and 3-D printers from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 12 and 13 at the Oregon Museum of Science & Industry, 1945 S.E. Water Ave., Portland. Admission is $15, $10 for youth and seniors, with two-day passes for $25 and $15 for youth and seniors.

503-797-4677 or www.omsi.edu/maker-faire-pdx

3. History in dusk

Stroll through the different eras at the Fort Vancouver National Historic Site during Campfires and Candlelight, the largest living history event of the year. Hundreds of costumed volunteers and reenactors will bring to life the camps of U.S. Army soldiers, Oregon Trail immigrants and the residents of Fort Vancouver Village. Upon entering the reconstructed fort, visitors can observe the evening activities of the Hudson’s Bay Company during Sept. 13, 1846, the night when the U.S. Schooner Shark wrecked on the Columbia River. Campfires and Candlelight runs 4 to 10 p.m. Sept. 12 at Fort Vancouver National Historic Site, 1001 E. Fifth St., Vancouver. Admission is free.

360-816-6230 or www.nps.gov/fova

4. Cedar scented

“Celebrate Cedar” at the Cathlapotle Plankhouse during the Second Sunday event.

The Western Red Cedar tree is highly important to Native Peoples in the Northwest, as it was used to provide material for homes, canoes, clothing and medicine. Activities will honor and highlight cedar traditions, with demonstrations by Cowlitz Tribal artist and weaver Judy Bridges. Visitors can also try splitting a cedar log, pounding bark into fiber and learn about the tree on a naturalist-led hike at 2 p.m. The event runs from noon to 4 p.m. Sept. 13 at the Cathlapotle Plankhouse, Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, 28908 N.W. Main Ave., Ridgefield. Admission is $3 per vehicle.

360-887-4106 or www.ridgefieldfriends.org

5. Birds of a wooden feather

The 28th annual Columbia Flyway Wildlife Show and competition is all about the artistic world of wildlife carving, from duck decoys in the fountain pool to intricate sculptures of birds, fish and mammals. Children can paint a wooden songbird during the Second Saturday activity from 1 to 3 p.m. Sept. 12. The showcase is open to the public from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 12 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 13 at the Water Resources Education Center, 4600 S.E. Columbia Way, Vancouver. Admission is free.

360-487-7111 or http://columbiaflywaywildlifeshow.com