Big weekend in town. Día de Muertos takes over Esther Short Park, a steam train heads out into the fall color, and there's a dance floor waiting for you even if you've never danced. Here's what's worth your time.
IN THIS ISSUE
A Thursday night run with a payoff
Creepy critters at Columbia Springs
Pumpkin people at Pomeroy Farm
Open mic at Dovetail Cellars
Beginner-friendly social dance night
Día de Muertos in Esther Short Park
Build a clay ghost at Kilnfolk
Free live music at 14 Acres
Wind Symphony season opener
Fall leaves by steam train
The farmers market's last full weekends
⭐ EDITOR'S PICK
Run, Grub & Chug Club
Photo: The Vancouver Local
October 15 at 6:45 PM · Esther Short Park, 605 Esther St. · Free
A weekly 5K along the Waterfront every Thursday, all paces welcome, followed by food and drinks at a local restaurant announced each week on Meetup. Improve your fitness, meet some people, have a cold beer. What’s not to love?
👪 BRING THE KIDS
(Not So) Scary Nature Day at Columbia Springs
October 17, 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM · Columbia Springs, 12208 SE Evergreen Hwy. · Free
A drop-in family day of hands-on science and nature activities all about creepy-crawly critters. No RSVP needed.
Pumpkin Lane at Pomeroy Farm
October 17 and 18, 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM (admission closes at 4:00 PM) · 20902 NE Lucia Falls Rd, Yacolt · $8 adults, $6 ages 3 to 11, 2 and under free
A tractor hayride past scenes full of pumpkin people, plus pumpkin picking, kids' games, and farm animals. Worth the drive.
🙋 GO SOLO FRIENDLY
Open Mic Night at Dovetail Cellars
October 15, 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM · Dovetail Cellars Tasting Room, 404 E. Evergreen Blvd. · Free
A monthly open mic hosted by Jeff Keddie for songwriters and small groups, broadcast live on KXRW. Sign-ups start at 5:30 PM. Go to play or just to listen.
October 17, 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM · VanCity Ballroom, 9212 NE Highway 99, Suite 110 · $10
Starts with a 45-minute beginner lesson, then social dancing in a mix of styles. No partner or experience needed, so showing up alone is completely normal here.
🍻 MEET PEOPLE AND DATE NIGHT
Luminarias Día de Muertos
Photo: Vancouver Ballet Folklórico
October 17, 2:00 PM to 8:00 PM · Esther Short Park, 605 Esther St. · Free
A Day of the Dead celebration downtown with performances, live music, altars, a mock cemetery, and vendors. Rain or shine. Stay for the evening when the luminarias are lit.
Spooky Ghosts Clay Workshop at Kilnfolk
October 16, 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM · Kilnfolk Clay Studio, 108 W. Sixth St. · $55
A beginner-friendly class where you hand-build and decorate a ceramic ghost, which the studio fires and glazes for you. A good date night, or go solo and chat with the people at your table.
🎸 LIVE MUSIC AND ART
Free Live Music at 14 Acres Winery
October 16 and 17, 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM · 14 Acres Vineyard and Winery, 2411 NE 244th St, Ridgefield · Free
Gina de Noble plays Friday and Aslin plays Saturday. Wine sold by the glass and bottle.
Southwest Washington Wind Symphony: New Frontiers
October 18, 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM · Performing Arts Center at Union High School, 6201 NW Friberg-Strunk St, Camas · Free
The season-opening concert celebrates the American West, with music by Aaron Copland, Alfred Reed, and Megan Vinther.
🌲 GET OUTSIDE
Chelatchie Prairie Railroad Fall Leaves Special
Photo: Nathan D. Holmes, CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
October 17 and 18, trains at noon and 2:00 PM · 207 Railroad Ave, Yacolt · $16 to $22
A steam train ride through fall color and a rock tunnel, with a stop at Moulton Station to visit Yacolt Falls.
Vancouver Farmers Market
October 17 and 18 (Saturday 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, Sunday 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM) · 8th and Esther St, downtown · Free to browse
Open both weekend days through October 31, then Saturdays only for the winter season. Pair it with Día de Muertos next door on Saturday.
LOCAL BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT
Everybody’s Music
1801 D St Ste 2, Vancouver, WA 98683
Whether you are browsing for vinyl, tapes, DVDs, or just some good vibes, Everybody’s Music is your one-stop shop for physical media and friendly service.
5 recommended deep cuts for music lovers:
Frank Zappa - Hot Rats (1969)
Miles Davis - Dark Magus (1977)
Rotondi - Polka Changed My Life Today (1986)
Warren Zevon - Warren Zevon (1976)
The Turtles - The Turtles Present the Battle of the Bands (1968)
—Riley, Everybody’s Music
ALSO THIS WEEKEND
Keith Rosson Author Event and Costume Party · October 15, 6:30 PM · White Oak Books, 1700 Main St. · Free · More info
Vancouver Station Night Market · October 16 and 17, 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM · 1817 SE 164th Ave. · Free · More info
Spirit Tales of the Vancouver Barracks · October 16 and 17, 7:00 PM · The Grant House, 1101 Officers Row · $17 to $22 · More info
"Friday Frolic" Scottish Dance Class · October 16, 7:30 PM · Columbia Dance, 1700 Broadway · $8, first class free · More info
Salmon Creek parkrun · October 17, 9:00 AM · Klineline Pond · Free · More info
Free Intro Tai Chi · October 17, 9:00 AM · First United Methodist Church, 401 E. 33rd St. · Free · More info
Washougal Pumpkin Harvest Festival · October 17, noon to 3:00 PM · Hathaway Park, Washougal · Free · More info
Magenta Theater Improv Show · October 17, 7:30 PM · 1108 Main St. · $10 · More info
This week’s question: Who’s someone in Vancouver who makes this town better and deserves a shoutout?
Just hit reply and tell us. We may share a few answers next week.
This newsletter is free and built by the people who live here. Have an event, a small business, art, music, or something you’re looking for, like bandmates, a hiking crew, or a pickup game? Share it here. It’s always free.
See you next week,
The Vancouver Local
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