1. Stupendous sturgeon
Celebrate sturgeon and ecosystems of the Columbia River during the annual Sturgeon Festival. Visitors can learn about the ancient fish and other wildlife that call the river home through all-day learning and hands-on activities with local organizations from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 19. There will also be a Birds of Prey show at 10:30 a.m., along with Eartha the Ecological Clown performing at 11:30 a.m., a fish dissection at 1 p.m. and a live reptile show at 2 p.m. at the Water Resources Education Center, 4600 S.E. Columbia Way, Vancouver. Admission is free. 360-487-7111 or www.cityofvancouver.us/publicworks/page/sturgeon-festival
2. Music block party
It’s a block party in downtown Vancouver, with CouvFest NW bringing together dozens of Southwest Washington’s best local bands in this all-ages showcase. There will be a beer garden and a music lineup of 17 bands, including Yakolt Burn, Atlas and the Astronaut, Sell the Farm and Outer Space Heaters on a stage set up at Ninth and Main streets in downtown Vancouver. The music festival runs noon to 10 p.m. Sept. 19 and noon to 7 p.m. Sept. 20, and admission is free. www.couvfest.com
3. Geek out
Celebrate the world of pop culture with fellow fans during the Rose City Comic Con. The event highlights comics, gaming and all things sci-fi, superhero and fantasy. The convention will host hundreds of comic book artists, writers, actors, game designers and exhibitors. Celebrity guests include actress Carrie Fisher of “Star Wars,” voice actor Zach Callison of “Steven Universe,” Big Bird puppeteer Caroll Spinney and actor Wil Wheaton of “Stark Trek: The Next Generation.” The convention runs 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sept. 19 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 20 at the Oregon Convention Center, 777 N.E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Portland. Tickets are $40 for both days, $25 for Saturday, $20 for Sunday, $5 for ages 10 and younger with an adult. rosecitycomiccon.com
4. Community talk
The community talk show Hello Vancouver! returns with a lineup of local guests. Meet the cast of Metropolitan Community Theater Project’s “Rent,” learn about Give More 24, a day of community giving put on by the Community Foundation of Southwest Washington, and go behind the scenes of a 911 dispatch center with the Clark Regional Emergency Service Agency. There also will be video features, hijinks, community discussions and a talent show with local political candidates. The show begins at 7 p.m. Sept. 23 at the Kiggins Theatre, 1011 Main St., Vancouver. Admission is free. hellovancouver.us
