1. Adventure buffet
Try something new and discover unfamiliar trails during National Get Outdoors Day. It’s an all-ages event to encourage everyone to plan a summer adventure outside as representatives from government agencies, nonprofits and community groups will highlight local parks, forests and trails in the Northwest. Visitors can try out all sorts of activities, including fishing, archery and rock climbing, along with information booths and food vendors from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 10 along East Fifth Street near the Pearson Air Museum. The fort will also be hosting its annual Brigade Encampment, a re-enactment of the fur brigades to the Hudson’s Bay Company. Costumed re-enactors will demonstrate cooking, crafts, games, dances and music of the 1840s, alongside hands-on activities and black powder demonstrations. Admission is free. 360-816-6230 or www.nps.gov/fova
2. Local roses
Keep an eye out for participants from Clark County during the annual Portland Rose Festival Grand Floral Parade at 10 a.m. June 10. Local participants will be in the first section of the parade, titled Brilliant Adventure, featuring the Clark County Fair Court, Vancouver Rodeo’s Queen, the Battle Ground Community Float with its four Battle Ground Rose Court Princesses and the Battle Ground High School Marching Band. The Heritage High School Marching Band will perform in the second section, Brilliant Heritage, followed by this year’s grand marshals, members of the 1977 Portland Trail Blazers, picked in honor of 40 years since their championship win and victory parade. And the city of Washougal will be offering up a mini-float as part of the later La Petite Parade section. The parade will travel along the 4.2-mile route from the Veterans Memorial Coliseum, 300 N. Winning Way, along Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard to the Burnside Bridge and ending at Lincoln High School. It’s free to watch along the parade route, with reserved seating at the coliseum for $15 to $30. The parade will also be shown at 10 a.m. on Fox 12. www.rosefestival.org
3. Community gives back
Open to all, Run Like a Girl for Second Step Housing incorporates costumes, ice cream and family activities, while the proceeds benefit Second Step Housing, which helps empower homeless individuals and families in Clark County. The 5K and 10K courses both start and end near the Vancouver Landing Amphitheater, 100 Columbia St., Vancouver heading along the Columbia River waterfront before returning to the amphitheater. There will also be a free kids run for different age groups and a costume contest. Race day registration opens at 7:30 a.m. with the race starting at 9 a.m. June 11. Registration is $35 to $45, and free for kids run. 360-993-5301 or runlikeagirl4ssh.com
4. Jazz time
The Clark College Music Department will host its sixth annual Big Band Bash, a night of big band jazz and swing from 7 to 10 p.m. June 10. Enjoy classic sounds of the jazz era with VanPort Jazz and the Clackamas College Jazz Ensemble, followed by the internationally acclaimed Clark College Jazz Ensemble. The free concert all takes place at Clark College’s Gaiser Hall, 1933 Fort Vancouver Way, Vancouver. 360-992-2662 or www.clark.edu/campus-life/arts-events/music/music-concerts/index.php
