Save the Date: Gather up girl- (and boy) friends for run, wines, fun

Sometimes, just mustering the motivation for a run is tougher than the actual run. Finding inner-strength shouldn’t be a hassle when it comes to participating in the Girlfriends Run for a Cure from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday starting at Northwest Personal Training, 1011 Broadway, Vancouver. The run has raised nearly $450,000 since it started 11 years ago. Designed for women, and split between quarter and half marathons, the funds raised benefit the Pink Lemonade Project, the Oregon and Southwest Washington Affiliate of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure the Children’s Center. There will also be a Kids Mini Marathon of 1.1 miles for those 16 and younger. The quarter and half marathons cost $85 for adults, $55 for girls 17 and under, and $35 for the kids mini marathon. Men can participate in the event by signing up for the Pink Brigade, with a pledge to raise or donate more than $500. Make sure to stick around for the after-party, which includes chocolate, mimosas and more. 360-574-7292 or http://whyracingevents.com/event/934/#registration

Veg out this weekend, and still leave your couch. The Portland VegFest from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday has that effect on people. Journey down to the Oregon Convention Center, 777 N.E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Portland, to enjoy some of the best vegetables the Northwest has to offer. Learn to be self-sufficient with your vegetable diet by attending one of the many cooking demos, classes or expert lectures. The VegFest even includes cruelty-free fashion and beauty exhibitors. Single day admission cost $10, while a two-day pass goes for $17. Students and seniors (65 and older) can get that discounted to $7 and $12. Children 12 and younger get in free. 503-235-7575 or https://nwveg.org/vegfest-event-info

This celebration is in honor of you, so you better show up. In all seriousness, Niche Wine Bar’s seventh anniversary at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday is aimed as a sign of appreciation for the Vancouver and Clark County communities. Each year, Niche owner Leah Jackson throws a big shindig, and her focus for 2017, in partnership with Kiggins Theatre, the event site — 1011 Main St., Vancouver — is wine, food and short films from Portugal. The event is 21 and older; it cost $12, which includes a commemorative wine glass and hors d’oeuvres. 360-816-0352 or www.kigginstheatre.com

Gamers rejoice as the Oregon Convention, 777 N.E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Portland, is essentially turned into one giant arcade for the Portland Retro Gaming Expo. Featuring pinball machines, arcades, speakers and panels, game tournaments, a costume contest and a live auction, just about every imaginable gaming activity possible will fit under one roof. This year’s expo is highlighted by a museum area on video game history, which includes curators to answer questions as well as rare games, prototypes and displays. The retrocade opens a day early from 3 to 10 p.m. Oct. 20. The Expo runs from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Oct. 21 and then 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 22. Admission ranges from $12 to $14 for Friday, $27 to $32 for Saturday, $20 to $25 for Sunday, $35 to $39 for a weekend pass; $140 to $156 for family weekend passes, free for two children ages 10 and younger with an adult. 503-235-7575 or www.retrogamingexpo.com

You won’t have to worry about your food allergy at the Gluten-free Food Allergy Fest from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 21 and 22 at the Portland Expo Center, 2060 N. Marine Drive, Portland. Come and sample some of the best gluten-free products on the market, so you can know what to buy in stores later. Learn how to cook gluten-free meals. A complimentary tote bag and goodies are included. An adult two-day pass cost $25, while one-day is $15; seniors (61 and older) and military can get two-day tickets for $20 and one-day for $12; children (ages 6 through 12) get $8 and $5 prices, respectively, while kids 5 and younger get in free. 503-736-5200 or www.glutenfreefoodallergyfest.com/events/2017-gluten-free-food-allergy-fest-in-portland-or

Hold onto that beer for dear life. After all, you might jump back in horror occasionally at the Zombie Brewfest from 4 to 9 p.m. Oct. 27. Hosted by Doomsday Brewing Company, 421 C. St., Washougal, this spooky and sudsy party is one where you can throw on your best zombie costume while you throw back one or two (or three) craft beers. Live music and food will be nearby at all times as well. This event is for those 21 and older, and includes five beer sample tokens and a souvenir glass with the $15 price of admission for the first 300 ticket holders. 360-335-9909 or www.facebook.com/zombiebrewfest

The Downtown Washougal Pumpkin Harvest Festival is about as fall as it gets. Families are encouraged to pick up a free pumpkin in their best Halloween costumes, with 300 pumpkins picked from the city’s garden plot, and up to 900 more from a donation by Columbia River Realty. The popular “Halloween Hunt” returns this year with themed images posted at downtown businesses to find. The Washougal Police Department will also give out reflective candy bags; popcorn, apples and carnival games round out the festivities from noon to 3 p.m. Oct. 28 at Reflection Plaza,1703 Main St., Washougal. Free admission. www.visitwashougal.com