Taco time
The Tacos in the Park festival runs Friday through Sunday in Esther Short Park, 605 Esther St., Vancouver. The event features tacos, live music, beer, cocktails and tequila. The music lineup includes Rowena, True Vibez, Coloso and the Trippy Lips. VIP guests get passes to the VIP tent for appetizers and mixed drinks. Hours are 4 to 10 p.m. Friday, noon to 10 p.m. Saturday and noon to 7 p.m. Sunday. Get tickets ($25 to $100) at eventbrite.com. Proceeds benefit The Arc of Southwest Washington, a nonprofit organization that supports people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Under the big top
Venardos Circus, a Broadway-style animal-free circus, will offer shows from Friday to July 2 at Vancouver Mall, 8700 N.E. Vancouver Mall Dr., Vancouver. Showtimes are 7 p.m. Friday as well as June 28, 29 and 30; 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday as well as July 1 and 2; and 5 p.m. Saturday, Sunday and July 1. The show features an original score and costumed performers in a circus tent with seating around a central stage. Tickets are $16.95 for youth under age 12 and $27.95 for adults. Babies are free with paying adults. Get tickets at venardoscircus.com. Preshow entertainment and concession sales begin an hour before showtime.
Stay and play
Columbia Play Project is hosting Family Play Day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at Vancouver Waterfront Park, 695 Waterfront Way, Vancouver. The free event will feature 26 booths with games and activities for kids of all abilities, including art, science, sports, puzzles and reading. The Vancouver Community Concert Band and Metropolitan Performing Arts will perform. Children will have the opportunity to perform their favorite songs or dances on stage. Enjoy refreshments from Pupu Shave Ice and Nomad Coffee. Burgerville will distribute seed packets and coupons for free sundaes. Learn more at columbiaplayproject.org.
Grist for the mill
Tuck into strawberry shortcake between 1 and 4 p.m. Saturday at the Cedar Creek Grist Mill, 43907 N.E. Grist Mill Road, Woodland. The historic water-powered grist mill is open most weekends and offers free events on the last Saturday of every month through October. 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.
Suds and songs
The Gorge Blues and Brews Festival is 5 to 10 p.m. Friday and 2 to 10 p.m. Saturday at the Skamania County Fairgrounds, 710 S.W. Rock Creek Drive, Stevenson. The festival features panoramic Gorge views, 35 beer taps, four wineries and Skunk Brothers Distillery pouring tastes and serving cocktails. Food will be available to purchase. Musical guests include Johnny Wheels and The Swamp Donkeys, Wasteland Kings, Sister Mercy, Jon Griffin and The LightFighters, and Beaver Boogie Band. Tickets are $15 for a one-day pass, $27 for a two-day pass and $95 for a VIP pass. Purchase tickets at eventbrite.com.
… And more
For more details about these and other events — like the Fort Vancouver Rose Society Rose Show, the Paradise of Samoa Polynesian Dance Troupe performance at Vancouver Mall and the free Jugglemania show at Battle Ground Community Library — visit events.columbian.com.
