Save the Date: So. Many. Things. To do this summer in Clark County

It’s time to start planning your summer fun in Clark County. Inside this section, you’ll find a pull-out calendar of community events from June to September. Now that the COVID-19 pandemic has officially ended, summer activities are back in full force, if changed. For example, the Clark County Fair won’t kick off with free pancakes this year. The Historic Trust’s Independence Day fireworks display at Fort Vancouver, like last year, will be replaced by the community-picnic-style Summerfest. Even so, festivals will fill every weekend this summer, from car shows to Tacos in the Park to the Wine and Jazz Festival. Some major events have yet to finalize their plans, so keep checking social media and websites for your favorites. See Pages DX-X for the details we have so far.

Hockinson Fun Days is 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. today with a pancake breakfast from 7 to 11:30 a.m. at Fire District 3; a vendor marketplace from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Hockinson School District offices; a parade at noon at Hockinson High School; a country carnival from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Hockinson Community Center; and a classic car cruise-in at Elim Lutheran Church from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Get details at hockinsonboosters.com.

The Big Paddle is today from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Lake River waterfront and Overlook Park in Ridgefield. The event includes paddles, guided hikes, food trucks, hayrides, a farmers market, book sales, a craft beer garden, games and live music. Registration for some events may be closed but anyone may bring their own paddlecraft. Learn more at ridgefieldwa.us/big-paddle/.

Parkersville Day is noon to 3 p.m. today at Parker’s Landing Historic Park at 24 S. A St., Washougal. Enjoy an art contest, storytellers, local vendors and community groups, family-friendly games and prizes, tree tours, ice cream, raffles and book sales. Admission is free.

Columbia Springs’ Celebration of Fishing is 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 10 at Battle Ground Lake State Park, 18002 N.E. 249th St., Battle Ground, with casting practice, fishy art, presentations from experts, science and nature games, tackle giveaways and fun with lampreys. Register for $5 per person at www.columbiasprings.org.

The Hockinson Artisan Market is 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 11, July 9 and Sept. 10 in the Hockinson Community Center, 15916 N.E. 182nd Ave., Brush Prairie, featuring a wide array of local artisan vendors. An additional Summertime Festival Market is set for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 13 at Gather Arts Flower Farm, 16523 N.E. 170th Ave., Brush Prairie. Admission is free. See gatherarts.com for a vendor list.

Woodland Planters Days offers a daily carnival and other events June 15-18 in and around Horseshoe Lake Park. Events include a children’s parade and fireworks 3-10:30 p.m. June 15; book sale, bingo and farmers market from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. June 16; breakfast buffet, parade, vendor market, beer garden, bed races and cruise-in from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. June 17; and market, car show and raffles from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 18. Learn more at planters-days.com.

The Juneteenth Freedom Celebration is 1-7 p.m. June 17 in Esther Short Park featuring food, live music, art and traditional games. Juneteenth is a federal and state holiday in honor of President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation freeing enslaved Americans. See the full event schedule at www.jfcvancouver.org.

The Clark County Historical Museum will host Wander Clark County summer walking tours 9-11 a.m. every Saturday from June 17 through Aug. 26. For a full list of tours go to cchmuseum.org. The cost is $8 per person.

Tacos in the Park is coming to Esther Short Park, 605 Esther St., Vancouver, 4 to 10 p.m. June 23, noon to 10 p.m. June 24 and noon to 7 p.m. June 25. The festival, which benefits The Arc of Southwest Washington, features live music, beer, cocktails, tequila and a VIP tent. Get details and tickets ($25 to $100) at tacosinthepark.com.

The West Columbia Gorge Humane Society will host CatFest from noon to 2 p.m. June 17 at Ashwood Taps and Trucks, 1535 E St., Washougal. Enjoy Northwest craft beers on tap, food from local food trucks, a vendor marketplace and raffle. Participate in the Cat Costume Contest by submitting a photo of your cat in costume to peggyd@wcghs.org by June 4.

Venardos Circus, a Broadway-style animal-free circus, will offer shows at Vancouver Mall, 8700 N.E. Vancouver Mall Drive, Vancouver, from June 23 to July 2. Showtimes are 7 p.m. June 23, 28, 29 and 30; 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. June 24, 25, July 1 and 2; and 5 p.m. June 24, 25 and July 1. Tickets are $16.95 for kids and $27.95 for adults at venardoscircus.com.

The Gorge Blues and Brews Festival is 5-10 p.m. June 23 and 2-10 p.m. June 24 at the Skamania County Fairgrounds, 710 S.W. Rock Creek Drive, Stevenson. Adult ticket prices are $15 for a one-day pass, $27 for a two-day pass and $95 for a VIP pass. Get details and tickets at gorgeblues.com.

The city of La Center hosts Saturdays in the Park, featuring free concerts with local bands in Sternwheeler Park, 100 W. Fourth St., La Center, from June 24 to Aug. 5. Bring a picnic dinner, blankets and low-backed chairs for seating in the outdoor amphitheater. Opening acts start at 5:30 p.m. and headliners start at 6 p.m. For the complete lineup, see facebook.com/Saturdays-in-the-Park-1431091703801188.

The Cedar Creek Grist Mill, 43907 N.E. Grist Mill Road, Woodland, is open most weekends. The historic water-powered grist mill offers free events on the last Saturday of every month through October. June 24 is Strawberry Shortcake Day, July 29 is Blueberry Pancake Day, Aug. 26 is Treat Day, Sept. 30 is Cornbread Day and Oct. 28 is the annual Apple Cider Pressing. Get details at cedarcreekgristmill.org.

Columbia Play Project will host Family Play Day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 24 at Vancouver Waterfront Park, 695 Waterfront Way, Vancouver, with dancing, playing music, experimenting, building, creating and exploring. Admission is free and all children are welcome. Learn more at columbiaplayproject.org.

Clark Public Utilities is hosting a Pollinator Festival from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 24 at the Clark Public Utilities Operation Center, 8600 N.E. 117th Ave., Vancouver. This free outdoor festival features a pollinator garden tour, education about Clark County’s native pollinators, crafts and activities for children, a demonstration area, farmers market, food trucks and music.

The Fort Vancouver Rose Show is the state’s largest rose show, 1-4 p.m. June 24 at First Evangelical Church, 4120 N.E. St. Johns Road, Vancouver. See displays of many varieties along with rose arrangements. The public is invited to enter their roses in a competition from 7 to 10:15 a.m. For details, call Margaret Snitzler at 360-695-0456.

The Camas Car Show is 2-7 p.m. June 24 in downtown Camas, featuring classic and custom cars, local merchants, live music, food, raffles, balloon art and a kids’ coloring contest. Admission is free for spectators or pay $20 to enter your classic car, hot rod or custom vehicle. Register on the day of the show. Get details and guidelines at downtowncamas.com.

Summerfest Picnic in the Park is 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. July 1 at the Fort Vancouver National Historic Site Parade Grounds and Officers Row. The free family festival features two stages with live music and entertainment, games on the lawn, magicians and face painting. Bring a picnic or buy food from vendors. Beer and cider are available in the beer garden. Get details at thehistorictrust.org.

Enjoy outdoor concerts at Vancouver Waterfront Park, 695 Waterfront Way, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursdays from July 6 to Aug. 10. This year’s lineup features Curtis Salgado, Aaron Meyer, the Bobby Torres Ensemble, the Juleps, Norman Sylvester and Sabroso.

La Uva Fortuna Farms, 16712 N.E. 219th St., Battle Ground, offers Movies in the Vines outdoor films every Friday from July 7 to Sept. 1. Bring blankets and low-backed chairs for seating on the lawn. Wood-fired pizza, wine and cider are available to buy. To buy tickets ($3.50 for ages 5 and up) and see a complete movie schedule, visit lauvafortuna.com.

Vancouver USA Pride presents Saturday in the Park Pride, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 8 in Esther Short Park. The event features live entertainment, food vendors, an artisan market and booths with information from groups and businesses that support the LGBTQ+ community. Learn more at vanusapride.org.

See Free Friday Night Movies at a different park every Friday from July 7 to Aug. 18. Activities begin at 7 p.m. and movies start at dusk. Films include “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish,” “Wakanda Forever,” “Strange World” and “Super Mario Bros.” For the full schedule, visit www.cityofvancouver.us/Movies.

The Craft Beer and Wine Fest is 5-10 p.m. July 28, noon to 10 p.m. July 29 and noon to 5 p.m. July 30 in Esther Short Park, July 28-30. Guests 21 and older can enjoy craft beer, wine and cocktails, food, art and live music from Quiet Riot, Great White and Curtis Salgado. One ticket provides admission for all three days and includes all concerts. Tickets are $7 to $140 at thecraftwinefest.com.

The Clark County Fair is Aug. 3-13 at the Clark County Event Center at the Fairgrounds, 17402 N.E. Delfel Road, Ridgefield. Advance tickets purchased online by Aug. 3 are $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and $7 for kids 7 to 12. Tickets at the gate are $2 more. Kids 6 and under are free. Carnival wristbands for unlimited rides are $35 if purchased online or $37 at the booth. The fair is open daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. except on Fridays and Saturdays, when it closes at 11 p.m. Rides open daily at noon. Parking is $8 cash or card. Get complete details at clarkcofair.com.

Enjoy the Vancouver USA Arts & Music Festival in and around Esther Short Park Aug. 4-6 featuring multiple stages with live music and performing arts as well as pop-up galleries, regional and international art shows, an artisan market, family activities and food vendors. Admission to the festival is free. Learn more at vancouverartsandmusicfestival.com.

Columbia River Triathlon and Endurance Sports Festival is Aug. 11-13 at Frenchman’s Bar, 9612 N.W. Lower River Road, Vancouver, with a Sunset 5K and 10K Run; Olympic Distance Triathlon, Duathlon and AquaBike; Women’s Triathlon, Duathlon, AquaBike and 5K; and Kids’ Triathlon. Register at whyracingevents.com.

Viva Vancouver Latin Festival is a celebration of Latino culture Aug. 18-20 in Esther Short Park featuring a Latin American cultural village, authentic Latin American food and beverages, craft beer, acclaimed Latin bands and artists, dance performances and demonstrations, a kids’ zone and a meet-and-greet with performers and artists. Admission is free. Get details at vivavancouverlatinfestival.net.

Sip and Stroll, 5-8:30 p.m. Aug. 19, is a fundraiser for the Hough Foundation featuring a self-guided beverage tour through 35 downtown Vancouver merchants. Tickets are $40 for ages 21 and over. Get maps, wristbands and sip glasses at 1602 Main St. Free shuttle service is available along the route. Learn more and get tickets at houghfoundation.org.

The Show and Shine car show is 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 19 in Uptown Village on Main Street from Fourth Plain to McLoughlin Boulevard. Spectators are free; pay $15 plus a donation of school supplies to enter your car, hot rod, motorcycle or special interest vehicle. Proceeds benefit the Hough Foundation. For details, call Michael Finn at 360-281-5333 or Jeff Petersen at 360-887-4576.

Vancouver’s Wine and Jazz Festival is Aug. 25-27 in Esther Short Park with Grammy Award-winning musicians, regional jazz and blues bands, Northwest wines, fine artists and local cuisine. Details are still being finalized for the 2023 festival. Get updates at vancouverwinejazz.com.