1. All for Battle Ground
It’s a big hometown celebration as Battle Ground Harvest Days kicks off with a carnival from 1 to 10 p.m. July 14, followed by the annual Harvest Nights Car Cruise. Staging and last-minute registration begins at 4:30 p.m. July 14, with $20 for car participation. Expect to see more than 400 vintage vehicles from 1978 or older to start cruising at 6:30 p.m. along Battle Ground’s Main Street, between Fifth and Grace streets. There will be a burn-out pit from 7 to 10 p.m., along with live music and a beer garden. The event is free for spectators. www.harvestnightscarcruise.com
Harvest Days starts early on July 15 with the Fire District 3 Pancake Breakfast and Open House from 7 to 10 a.m. Cost is $5 per person or $15 for a family. The firefighters of Fire District 3 will serve breakfast, with proceeds benefiting the community coalition Prevent Together. There will also be tours of fire trucks and the Battle Ground Station, 505 S.W. First St. This year, in addition to the sit-down breakfast, patrons can opt to take breakfast to-go in a box, so they can catch the Harvest Days Grand Parade at 10 a.m. The festivities continue from noon to 10 p.m. around Fairgrounds Park and Community Center, 912 E. Main St., with the carnival, entertainment, a skateboard and BMX competition, the Harvest Days Book Sale, a GeoCoin challenge, beer and wine garden, a kickball tournament and the annual talent show at 1 p.m. Country music singer and “American Idol” contestant Josh Gracin will hit the music stage at 7:30 p.m. The concert is free, with $5 for special seating. A carnival wristband is $20 to $30. 360-687-1510, www.facebook.com/battlegroundharvestdays or battlegroundchamber.org
To complete the weekend, the North Clark County Run Club will be hosting an Harvest Days Community 5K and 10K Fun Run at 9 a.m. July 16 that will be out and back from the Gardner Center, S.W. Ninth Avenue. Registration begins at 8 a.m., for $25 to $30, $10 for ages 10 and younger. www.facebook.com/TheNCCRunClub
2. Mechanical wonders
Celebrate the history of agriculture, logging and industrial mechanization in Clark County during the 23rd annual Rural Heritage Fair, hosted by the Fort Vancouver Antique Equipment Association. Many 19th and 20th century steam engines will be on display, with a number in working operation, along with vintage cars, fire engines, tractors, logging and farm equipment. There will be live demonstrations in the blacksmith shop, and children can try splitting cedar shakes, churning butter, making quilts, grinding corn and more in the pioneer village, or take a ride on the train. And new to the fair will be a garden tractor pull, hosted by the Oregon Tractor Pullers Association. The fair will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 15 and 16 at the Schurman Iron Ranch, 23100 N.E. 10th Ave., Ridgefield. Admission is $5 per carload. 360-693-1201 or www.fvaea.com
