Bloom! June family festivals and events
June 1 – June 13. Portland, Oregon. All the best Portland Rose Festival events happen in June: The Starlight Parade is on June 5, Grand Floral Parade is on June 12 and “Circus City†runs with clowny antics from June 9-13. It’s Portland’s kid-friendly party.
June 3 through September. Vancouver, BC. Enjoy an aria or an Antony at Bard on the Beach. Older children will particularly appreciate the setting (and seating) in Vancouver’s gorgeous Vanier Park.
June 5-6. Nanaimo, BC. The Vancouver Island Baby Fair in Nanaimo offers cool products, performers and photo contests. I would love to see those baby races (I’m betting on any baby sporting teeth and steel-toed booties).
June 5-6 and June 12-13. Squamish, BC. On a Day Out with Thomas, kids get to ride a Thomas-faced train, create Thomas crafts and meet characters from the show. We’ve done this before with our then-two-year-old Thomas fan. He didn’t stop talking about it for a year. You have been warned.
June 5-7. Astoria, Oregon. Remember that “Goonies” flick from your childhood? Re-live the magic in Astoria, Oregon — meet former Goonies stars, tours of Goonies shoot locations and enjoy general 80s retro fun at the Never Say Die: Goonies 25th Anniversary Celebration.
June 12-20. Marysville, Washington. When the strawberries arrive in Cascadia, you know summer’s arrived (hopefully!). Welcome the ruby berries with open hands and an open mouth at the Marysville Strawberry Festival.
June 12. Lane County, Oregon. At three Willamette National Forest water sources, kids 10 and under can use free fishing poles and worms to catch The Big One (or just a rainbow trout) during National Fishing Week.
June 18-20. Spokane, Washington State. Where better to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Father’s Day than where Father’s Day was founded (Spokane). No, the day isn’t a Hallmark invention. Find all the facts and events at the Father’s Day Birthplace website.
June 19. Cannon Beach, Oregon. Cannon Beach’s 46th annual sandcastle contest will undoubtedly feature weird and wonderful creations. But really, do you need an excuse to visit Cannon Beach? No, you do not.
June 25. Pendleton, Oregon. Kids’ activities + wiener dogs in costumes + sunny, hot Oregon = sounds like an odd kind of fun. Head out to Pendleton’s Wiener Dog Race. Raffles, foods, and children’s activities. Pick up free passes to the children’s museum if you’re coming in from out of town.
June 26-27. Eatonville, Washington. Banana slugs don’t taste like bananas, and you should not put one in a smoothie. Don’t ask me how I know. Learn more about our slimy friends and watch a slug race at Northwest Trek’s Slug Fest.
June 26 and 27. Salem, Oregon. Travel around the globe at the World Beat Festival, with music and dance in nine performance areas, workshops and cultural activities in five World Villages, plus a children’s cultural tent featuring free fun.
Did I miss a cool event listing? Do you have a tip for me for July’s calendar? Send it to me at lora AT cascadiakids. com.
