If you’re anything like me, you probably have something sitting in your garage or in your house that needs fixing.

Could be a bike, a blender, a pair of pants that need hemmed. Well, luckily for you, Lake Oswego is hosting its first ever Repair Fair Saturday, June 30 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Lake Oswego Adult Community Center, 505 G Avenue.

Repair Fairs have been happening worldwide for years, but the first one in our area was hosted by Repair PDX in 2013. Since then other groups have gotten involved in Washington and Clackamas counties, including neighboring West Linn which has hosted several at their Robinwood Station Community Center.

What can you expect?

Repair Fairs rely on handy people who are willing to share their expertise to give your broken items a second chance at life and save them from the landfill. What’s in it for them? According to Stacy Ludington, a Sustainability Analyst with Clackamas County, volunteers enjoy building community and seeing first-hand how they can make a difference for someone.

What’s in it for you? You might not have to say good-bye to some sentimental items like the ones Ludington has seen come through previous Repair Fairs—a grandmother’s waffle iron, a childhood dresser, a lamp purchased on a honeymoon, or handmade jewelry from grandkids. And you just might learn a new skill by watching the volunteers in action.

Organizers ask that you bring bikes, clothing, electronic toys, jewelry, and small appliances. If you bring multiple items, they will work on one at a time and if time allows, they’ll try to get to another.

Another added bonus—they’ll be collecting Styrofoam to recycle so if you have any cluttering your garage your storage closet, now is a good time to dispose of it.

Looking to beat the heat this summer? Be sure to check out one of my previous posts on swimming holes in Lake Oswego including one of my favorites, the Lake Grove Swim Park.