The perennial June highlight in the annual Recycled Arts Festival on June 24 and 25, as regional artists transform refuse into rusty masterpieces. This year will also feature the inaugural Procession of Species, which encourages everyone to create their own mask and costume related to animals or natural elements, linking art making with conservation efforts.
The annual Vancouver Rodeo will be the bridge between June and July, as cowboys and cowgirls compete at the Clark County Saddle Club from June 30 to July 3. There will also be dancing, celebrations and plenty of boots. The rodeo also frames the many Fourth of July celebrations that will take place, from the Port of Camas-Washougal’s riverside concert and fireworks, to Ridgefield’s day-long community celebration, also capped by fireworks. Yacolt will be offering up a picnic atmosphere complete with games, while Independence Day at Fort Vancouver will shift to a free event, with evening concerts and food vendors.
The most asked-about event is the Six to Sunset concert series. Get your picnic blankets ready for July 6, when the concert series kicks off with Curtis Salgado at 6 p.m. in Esther Short Park. The series offers up different performers every Thursday evening through Aug. 10, including Nu Shooz on July 14 and the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra on July 20. This year will also see the return of the noon concert series with children’s activities and local performers every Wednesday, July 5 through Aug. 9, in Esther Short Park, along with the expanded Sunday Sounds series July 9 through Aug. 13 at the Columbia Tech Center Park in east Vancouver.
July could also just be called the month of community, as cities, towns and organizations celebrate culture and connections. If you haven’t watched the lumber games at Amboy Territorial Days, talk about some chain saw flair. Battle Ground’s Harvest Days will feature a night of hot rods with its Harvest Car Cruise-in and a day of distinct events, including a concert featuring country music artist Josh Gracin. And it’s not just the cities. Cruisin’ the Gut brings together the community of gear heads and car fans on July 15, while also raising donations to give back to Share. July’s festivities wrap up with an aloha thanks to the annual Hawaiian Festival on July 29. You can also learn more about Polynesian and Hawaiian culture during the two days of workshops and the Hapa Haole Hula Competition, which along with the festival, help make up the 3 Day of Aloha in the Pacific Northwest.
