With the kids back in school, you might need to look closer to home for fun and entertainment. Luckily the Portland metro area has a lineup of offerings this September that range from artistic and culinary to family-friendly and canine. Take a look:

ART IN THE PEARL. This free Labor Day destination is Portland’s largest outdoor art fair and takes place under the canopy of trees in the North Park Blocks of the Pearl District. A juried event, artists come from all over the country to exhibit here as well as demonstrate their craft in person. September 2-4 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily.

ROSE CITY COMIC CON. This fun, family-friendly event provides attendees access to comics, comic creators, gaming, sci-fi, cosplay, anime, fantasy, and everything in between. September 22-24 at the Oregon Convention Center, 777 NE Martin Luther King Blvd. Check online for ticket prices ranging from $48-$90 and times.

CHAPMAN SWIFT WATCH. If you’re looking for flocks of people watching flocks of birds, put this on your calendar when the smokestacks of Chapman Elementary School in Northwest Portland attract as many as 11,000 swifts looking for a place to roost for the night. The birds begin gathering in the sky above the school about 40-60 minutes before sunset. Closer to sunset, they start circling directly above the chimney in a large swirling flock, entering the chimney within 10-30 minutes after sunset. Onlookers (more than 2,000 on some nights) bring blankets or chairs, and often set up picnics to watch the spectacle. September 1-30, daily. Plan to arrive one hour before sunset and be aware that parking is limited. 1445 NW 26^th Avenue.

DAHLIA FESTIVAL. Stroll through over 40 acres of 370 varieties of dahlias, take some home, and place an order for your favorites for Spring delivery. Food carts and picnic spots daily; live music on the weekends.  9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. Free admission and parking. 995 NW 22^nd Avenue, Canby.

THE BIGGEST CLOTHING SWAP IN THE NORTHWEST. The ultimate treasure hunt for thrift store shoppers takes place on two full floors of McMenamin’s Crystal Ballroom! $10 and a bag of (clean, wearable, odor-free, adult) clothes can get you a whole new wardrobe. September 17 from 12:00 noon to 3:00 p.m. 1332 W. Burnside.

DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL. Watch as many as 96 dragon boat teams from all over the world compete in Hong Kong-style dragon boats along the Willamette River. Enjoy food vendors, a beer garden and more. September 9 – 10 at Tom McCall Waterfront Park, 98 SW Naito Parkway.

THE CORN MAIZE AT THE PUMPKIN PATCH. Celebrate the 25^th anniversary of Portland’s original corn maize set on 8 acres of farm-filled fun that includes the animal barn, hayrides, pumpkin patch, hay pyramid and more. Opens September 2 and runs through October 31 from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. daily. Purchase tickets online. 16511 NW Gilligan Road on Sauvie Island.

BELMONT STREET FAIR. Enjoy food and retail vendors of all kinds, show-stopping performances and activities for all ages at one of the largest-attended street fairs in Portland. September 9, SE Belmont Street from SE 33^rd to SE 39^th.

MT. ANGEL OKTOBERFEST. The largest folk festival in the Northwest takes place just a little more than 30 miles south of Lake Oswego in the town of Mt. Angel. Somehow the small town of 3,400 people opens its arms wide enough to entertain over 300,000 for music, dancing, beer and brauts. Free admission to most activities; however, three of the venues have a cover charge. One wristband gets you in all venues. Enjoy arts and crafts, a car show, Oktoberfest Olympics, street dances, wiener dog races and more. Check the full schedule and ticket prices online. September 14-17, downtown Mt. Angel.

OAKS PARK OKTOBERFEST. “Willkommen” back to the first Oktoberfest since 2019. This popular fall family festival returns with three days of authentic German food and beer, polka music, dancing, kids’ activities, cooking shows, thrill rides and more. September 22-24. Hours and ticket prices vary. 7805 SE Oaks Park Way.

THE WEDGE. Calling all cheese lovers! This event is a farmers market-style festival celebrating cheese and everything that goes with it. Sample and purchase local artisan cheese, specialty foods, beer, wine, and cider. Tickets include all cheese, accompaniment, and non-alcoholic beverage samples. Adult beverage sampling is an additional $15 and includes a commemorative glass. Tickets come with a $5 voucher to purchase your favorite new cheese. September 30 from 12:00 noon to 5:00 p.m. at 100 SE Alder.

DOGTOBERFEST. What’s good for man, is good for man’s best friend, right? Celebrate your canine friends with a day full of pampering and dog-friendly activities. Enjoy music, food, beer, and pet-loving vendors, all while your pup receives a wash and nail trim. Donations and proceeds go towards Dove Lewis Blood Bank. September 30 from 12 noon to 4:00 p.m. at the Lucky Lab Brew Pub, 915 SE Hawthorne.

Access to activities like these is just one of the many reasons to Love Lake Oswego. Subscribe to this blog to learn more. And if you want to talk to me in person to explore how you might move to Lake Oswego, give me a call at 503.939.9801. I’ve been a Realtor and resident here for over 30 years and would love to share my experience and expertise with you!