Save the Date: Fall fun kicks into gear; dogs get opportunity to make a splash

It’s a harvest celebration for all ages during Oktoberfest at Alderbrook Park, 24414 N.E. Westerholm Road, Brush Prairie. The festivities begin at 11 a.m. today with German music, a stein-holding contest, beer garden, family activities and wiener dog races at 2 p.m. Visitors can also explore the attractions of the private park. After 7 p.m., the event shifts to those 21 and older, as the bands Petty Fever and The Cat Jugglers will perform. Admission is $10, $6 for ages 4 to 16 and free for ages 3 and younger. 360-882-4444 or http://alderbrookparkevents.com

The Southwest Washington Model Railroaders will host an open house for fans of all ages, with the group’s 35-by-13-foot scale model railroad on display. Visitors can see operating models of steam and diesel locomotives and watch the “engineer” cam to feel they are in the train from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. today at the railroaders building, behind Safe Harbor Church of the Nazarene, 8100 E. Mill Plain Blvd., Vancouver. Admission is $2 per person, free for ages 12 and younger and $5 per family. 360-921-5780.

Be sure to bring a camera for the splashy fun of the annual Doggie Dive. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. today, dogs of all sizes will plunge into the outdoor pool at Lake Shore Athletic Club, 2401 N.W. 94th St., Vancouver. Small dogs or inexperienced canines can try the wading pool. It’s a $15 donation per dog for the Humane Society for Southwest Washington. http://southwesthumane.org

Start making plans for these annual fall-flavored events right around the corner.

Old Apple Tree Festival will feature arts and crafts, tree care workshops, live music and walking tours 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 1 at the Old Apple Tree Park, 112 S.E. Columbia Way, Vancouver. There will also be a free apple cider pressing, just bring your own clean apples and container for cider. The Urban Forestry Commission will also be giving away a limited number of tree cuttings from the Old Apple Tree. 360-487-8308 or www.cityofvancouver.us/publicworks/page/old-apple-tree-festival

Pumpkin Lane at Pomeroy Farm opens for the season Oct. 1 through Oct. 30, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays. Visitors can take a hayride down a road filled with 100 “pumpkin people” while on the way to the pumpkin patch. Say hello to the farm animals, test out the pumpkin flume and hay bale maze, or explore the log house and Farm Cafe at the farm, 20902 N.E. Lucia Falls Road, Yacolt. Admission is $6, $4 for ages 3 to 11. 360-686-3537 or www.pomeroyfarm.org

Clark County Scare Grounds will return for a chilling October, open 7 to 10 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays, and 7 to 11 p.m. Oct. 21-22 and 28-29 at the Clark County Event Center at the Fairgrounds, 17402 N.E. Delfel Road, Ridgefield. This year’s scream park will feature four new haunted houses, along with activities and attractions on the midway. Tickets are $20 to $22, $15 to $18 for ages 10 and younger, with all four haunts and parking included. 503-807-3322 or http://scaregroundspdx.com

Camas First Friday returns with its annual Pumpkin Pageant in downtown Camas, as participating businesses show off their creative pumpkin carving for public votes. There will also be a Star Wars costume contest for both adults and children, plus fall-themed crafts. The festivities run 5 to 8 p.m. Oct. 7 along Northeast Fourth Avenue in Camas. http://downtowncamas.com

Magenta Theater presents its take on “Little Shop of Horrors,” a sci-fi horror musical that follows Seymour Krelborn, a meek and dejected assistant at Mushnik’s Floral Shop, who pines for his co-worker Audrey. During a total eclipse, he discovers an unusual plant which feeds on human flesh and blood. The growing plant attracts a great deal of business for the previously struggling store, but comes with a hungry downside. The production runs 7:30 p.m. Oct. 7-8, 13-15 and 18-21, and 2 p.m. Oct. 22 at Magenta Theater, 1108 Main St., Vancouver. Tickets are $20 to $22. 360-635-4358 or www.magentatheater.com

The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra opens its 2016-2017 season with an all-Russian concert featuring masterworks by P.I. Tchaikovsky and Mikhail Glinka. Joining Maestro Salvador Brotons and the 70-member orchestra will be violinist Mayuko Kamio, the gold medalist of the prestigious 2007 International Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow. The performances will begin at 3 p.m. Oct. 1 and 7 p.m. Oct. 2 at the Skyview Concert Hall, 1300 N.W. 139th St., Vancouver. Tickets are $37, $32 for seniors, $10 for students. 360-735-7278 or http://vancouversymphony.org

The Vancouver Brewfest: Fresh Hop Edition will highlight the seasonal beers created using freshly harvested hops, giving attendees the chance to meet local brewers and brewing crews. The festival is open 4 to 10 p.m. Oct. 7 and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Oct. 8 at Vancouver Landing Amphitheater, 100 Columbia St., Vancouver. Tickets are $18 to $31 for those 21 and older, $8 to $10 for designated drivers. http://vancouverbrewfest.com