Save the Date: Sturgeon Festival, parade, wine run, Walk for the Poor ahead

The Sturgeon Festival has been sharing information about ancient sturgeon and other wildlife that call ecosystems of the Columbia River home for 20 years. Join in on the fun with hands-on activities and demonstration from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. today at the Water Resources Education Center, 4600 S.E. Columbia Way, Vancouver. There will also be a Birds of Prey show at 10:30 a.m., along with Eartha the Ecological Clown performing at 11:20 a.m., a fish dissection at 12:30 p.m. and a live reptile show at 2 p.m. Admission is free. 360-487-7111 or www.cityofvancouver.us/publicworks/page/sturgeon-festival.

Brush Prairie Spirit Parade will be celebrating 10 years, with a theme of “Super Heroes of Brush Prairie.” The grand marshal will be Smokey Bear from the U.S. Forest Service. The parade begins at 10 a.m. today from the Prairie Bar and Grill, 14925 N.E. Caples Road, Brush Prairie, and ends at Bethel Lutheran Church, 12919 N.E. 159th St., with super hero costumes and participation encouraged. 360-624-2253.

The annual North County Wine Run features a half-marathon and three-person relay that take participants through the rolling hills, rural landscape and views of Mount St. Helens of north Clark County on Sept. 24. After the run, there will be wine from five local wineries, music, vendor booths and entertainment. Race day registration available at 6:30 a.m., if there’s space. The event begins at Rusty Grape Vineyard, 16712 N.E. 219th St., Battle Ground. Registration is $85 to $90 for half, $171 to $180 for three-person relay. http://www.ncwinerun.com.

The annual Walk for the Poor will feature two events occurring simultaneously at 9 a.m. Sept. 24 in downtown Vancouver and in Battle Ground. A 5K walk-run begins and ends at the Proto Cathedral of St. James the Greater, 218 W. 12th St., Vancouver. For those in north Clark County, the 5K will start and end at Sacred Heart Parish, 1603 N. Parkway Ave., Battle Ground. Registration is free, although there is a suggested $25 donation, with money going to the local conferences of St. Vincent de Paul, which provide food, clothing and housing assistance to those in need. 360-694-5388 or 360-600-0553, www.svdpusa.net/fop.

So many ways to celebrate Oktoberfest in Clark County. Join Shorty’s Garden and Home for its last Oktoberfest, celebrating once more with the original Donaumusikanten from Germany, with new songs from the Munich Oktoberfest from 5 to 11 p.m. Sept. 23. Those 21 and older can try a variety of hand-crafted beer from Mill City Brew Werks and a variety of German cuisine from Mill Creek Pub. Tickets are $20. From 2 to 10 p.m. Sept. 24, the garden store, 10006 S.E. Mill Plain Blvd., Vancouver, will also host the third annual Autumn Brewfest, featuring local brewers, music performances and food carts. Tickets are $15 for those 21 and older. 360-892-7880 or www.shortysgardenandhome.com.

The Alderbrook Park Oktoberfest will run from 11 a.m. to midnight Sept. 24 at the park, 24414 N.E. Westerholm Road, Brush Prairie. The day will feature German music, a stein-holding contest, beer garden, family activities and wiener dog races. Petty Fever and The Cat Jugglers will perform at 7 p.m. for those 21 and older. Admission is $10, $6 for ages 4 to 16 and free for ages 3 and younger. 360-882-4444 or alderbrookparkevents.com.

Northwood Public House will become a Bavarian-style beer hall during its third annual Oktoberfest 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Oct. 1 and Oct. 2. San Francisco rock ‘n’ roll band Those Darn Accordions. Coyote Willows and Three for Silver will perform, plus activities such as the Chicken Dance and stein holding competition at the pub, 1401 S.E. Rasmussen Blvd., Battle Ground. Admission is free. http://northwoodpublichouse.com.

Oktoberfest in Washougal returns Sept. 30 and Oct. 1 with German beers, food and music, with a new family festival and dance area. The beer garden will feature brews by 54-40 Brewing, Doomsday Brewing Company and Amnesia Brewing, with cider from Jester and Judge of Stevenson. Plus, there will be music by the Kings Brothers and German accordion players. The Camas Lions will provide German food favorites, with proceeds benefiting the group’s projects. Ages 12 and younger will receive free admission and punch card for free food items. Those younger than 21 are allowed at the festival from 4 to 8 p.m.

The 15K Superhero Relay will be held in conjunction with the festival at 5 p.m. Oct. 1. In teams of three, members will each take on a 5K course, with the fastest team winning a prize, along with awards for best Best Superhero and Best Supervillain costumes. Registration is $135 to $141 per team. www.superherorelay.com.

Celebrate the return of the fall migration at the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge with BirdFest and Bluegrass. Register now for the various workshops, guided hikes and canoe tours that will take place Oct. 1 and 2 at the refuge and downtown Ridgefield. Some tours and workshops carry fees, with all requiring advanced reservations by Sept. 30. Visit http://ridgefieldfriends.org for a complete guide.