1. 30 years of blues
The Waterfront Blues Festival will celebrate 30 years of music on the river and 30 years of helping the Oregon Food Bank fight hunger in the region. Discover popular local acts along side headlining national musicians, with this year’s headlining performers include Chris Isaak, Joss Stone, Big Head Todd & the Monsters, Booker T Stax Revue, Galactic, Elvin Bishop, Canned Heat, JD McPherson and MarchFourth. See the best of local and national blues, R&B, soul and funk musicians from noon to 11 p.m. July 30; 10:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. July 1 through July 3; 10:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. July 4 on the grass of Gov. Tom McCall Waterfront Park, 1020 S.W. Naito Parkway, Portland. Fireworks will mark the end of the festival at 10 p.m. July 4. Admission is $10 to $15 for a single day pass, $50 to $350 for 5 day passes, with 100 percent of proceeds going to the food bank. www.waterfrontbluesfest.com
2. Red, white & blue
Downtown Ridgefield will get ready to celebrate Independence Day with colorful events highlighting the city’s history during First Saturday: Red, White and Blue Historical Fun. From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 1, head to Overlook Park, Pioneer Street and Main Avenue, for old fashioned picnic games such as cornhole and gunny sack races at the farmers’ market, a “Mad Libs” scavenger hunt focusing on Ridgefield history and a red, white and blue costume contest at 1 p.m. The Opus School of Music will perform at 11 a.m., or watch how chemicals explosively react during a demonstration at 2:30 p.m. at the Ridgefield Community Library. Admission is free. 360-887-3557 or http://ridgefieldwa.us/event/first-saturday-red-white-blue-fun
For all the Fourth of July activities taking place in Ridgefield and more, turn to the go: tuesday page.
3. Noon concerts
Summer really steps into the parks with the start of the Noon Concert Series in the Park, hosted by Vancouver Parks and Recreation. The free lunchtime series will kick off July 5 with the Vancouver Pops Orchestra, a 40-member ensemble that has performed at local events and schools since 1970. From noon to 1 p.m. every Wednesday through Aug. 9, musicians and bands will perform at the pavilion in Esther Short Park, West Eighth and Columbia streets. Children can also take part in the themed “Science in the Park” activities, provided by the Water Education Resource Center. There will be food carts and vendors offering lunch options for sale. 360-487-8311 or www.cityofvancouver.us/parksrec/page/imagine-homes-realty-llc-noon-concerts
