CLACKAMAS
COMMUNITY ADVANTAGE
AUGUST -17th
Cruisin’ For A Cruise-In
By Dennis McNabb, Contributing Writer
That’s right, folks! Summer is here and we all know what that means. It’s time to make our way over to Mike’s Drive-In and Milwaukie Bowl for our favorite annual event: the Milwaukie Cruise-In! Every year, this event attracts people from all over the Northwest who take part in the festivities. Whether it’s to enter the exhibit and show off our own vehicles, to ogle and admire those brought by others, or to simply enjoy some tasty food and beverage while listening to Dirty Dave the Record Slave (Portland DJ) during the day, or The Average Joes (Portland Blues/Rock band making their 3rd consecutive appearance) at night, it’s a guaranteed good time for all.
The event was established back in 1983 by Mike’s Drive-In. Then owner,
Todd Freeman, was an avid car guy and considered the cruise-in to be the perfect complement to the retro vibe of the restaurant. Within just a few years, it became so popular and drew such a crowd, that they outgrew their limited space there at Mike’s and moved across the parking lot to the bowling alley. Shortly thereafter, Milwaukie Bowl became a co-sponsor, and the rest, as they say, is history. Each year, a handful of other local businesses join in. This year,
The Office Tavern & Grill and Mi Pueblo Taqueria are co-sponsoring (along with Mike’s Drive-In and Milwaukie Bowl), and the Milwaukie High School Music Department is co-hosting.
For those entering vehicles in the contest, registration fees are $15 and you must be entered no later than 6:00 pm. The award ceremony will take place no later than 8:30 pm. All entrants will receive a free loaf of Dave’s Killer Bread, a dash plaque, and a chance to win one of the 20 trophies that will be awarded. Admission is free to everyone else! Mike’s DriveIn will be serving $1.50 corn dogs and root beer floats. Milwaukie Bowl will be offering $5 Glow Bowling along with free shoe rental and a beer garden outside. The event will take place in the parking lot of Milwaukie Bowl, 3056 SE Harrison Street, on August 3rd from 3:00 pm to 10:00 pm and is considered by all of the local businesses who are involved to be a customer/community appreciation day. So come on down, bring the family, and stay for the day!
August 3rd 2024, 3pm-10pm
MIKE’S DRIVE IN Milwaukie
Making Memories
Carnival or rodeo, have the ride of your life!
By Patti Jo Brooks, Contributing Writer
It’s summertime in Canby and the Clackamas County Fair & Rodeo is in full swing August 13-17 at the Clackamas County Fairgrounds. Experience the sights, sounds and aromas of the County Fair as you stroll about. Visit livestock exhibits and agricultural displays where farmers and youth proudly showcase the results of their diligent work over the course of the year. Peruse hobby displays and art exhibits and treat yourself to fun-filled carnival rides. Embrace the thrill and excitement of live rodeo, pitting human skill against animal instinct, and enjoy crowd-pleasing performances by your favorite musicians and entertainers.
Everyone loves a parade! So pick a spot, settle in and enjoy the Canby Kiwanis Kiddie Capers Parade, a fun and festive Canby Kiwanis tradition since 1948. A kick off to the Clackamas County Fair, the Kiddie Capers Parade begins at Knight School at 10 a.m. Tuesday, August 13 and ends at the fairgrounds. Kids from all across Clackamas County will be “Moovin’ N Groovin’ at the Clackamas County Fair and Canby Rodeo,” in costume and riding, walking, pulling or pushing their bikes, wagons, dogs and more.
Join the lively bustle of fairgoers partaking in everything a county fair has to offer. Grab a bite of your favorite festival food served up from any one of 20 different food booths. Visit the Main Pavilion and check out the vendors inside then head upstairs and once again find the creative exhibits of the Hobby Hall: Photography, Quilts and Textiles. If it’s the Art Gallery you’re looking for, make your way to Clackamas Hall where you’ll find a multitude of compositions in oils, acrylics, water colors, pastels, drawings, sculptures and more!
The Fair runs daily from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday, August 13-17 with world-class rodeo competition happening each night in the Canby Rodeo Arena starting at 7:30 p.m. If you’ve never seen the Canby Rodeo, let this be the year you do! The Main Stage this year has been moved to the center of the fairgrounds on the main lawn. Music starts at 9 p.m. (while the rodeo is finishing up), giving more fairgoers a chance to enjoy the night’s entertainment. Please check the Fair’s website for the complete entertainment schedule.
“What makes our county fair special?” asks Brian Crow, Clackamas County Fairgrounds and Event Center Executive Director.
“When I think about it, I see the bright lights of the midway, flashing and tracing patterns in the night sky. I see 4H and FFA kids grooming the animals they’ve worked so hard to
raise and the community’s handiwork on display for everyone to enjoy. I hear the sounds of kids laughing and screaming on the rides, cows mooing, pigs squealing, bleating lambs and goats, and whatever noise cavies make. Music fills the air from the stage, alongside the auctioneer and rodeo announcer. Friends are telling stories and joking around. I close my eyes
and smell cotton candy, corn dogs, barbecue, elephant ears and even the livestock. No matter what your fair memories are, the fact that you can relate to something I mentioned shows how important the county fair is. It strengthens families and friendships, bridges the gap between urban and agricultural communities, and is the foundation for generational memories.”
This year’s fair, presented by NW Employment Solutions, features a unique theme each day with special discounts or free admission to select groups. August 13 is Family Day and
kids 12 and under get in FREE with participation in the Kiddie Caper Parade. August 14, Senior Citizen Day, offers reduced entry fees for seniors age 65-74 and FREE admission for those 75 and up. August 15 is First Responder Day – police, fire and paramedics are admitted FREE with corresponding ID. Military Appreciation Day, August 16, all veterans and Armed Service members in uniform or showing service ID are admitted FREE. August 17, the Fair closes with Agriculture Day: the Junior Livestock Auction, Miss Rodeo Oregon Coronation and the VIP Press Party are featured.
The Clackamas County Fairgrounds is located at 694 N.E. 4th Ave. in Canby. For exhibitor information, tickets, food vendors and more visit clackamascountyfair.com.
IVisual Differences
Artist reveals Black female experience
By Dennis McNabb, Contributing Writer
n today’s fast-paced, ever-evolving world, facing a constant barrage of new and compelling information means that we are always grappling to find clarity of purpose. It is increasingly rare, it seems, to meet people who are calm, composed and resolute in their goals. That is why it is such a breath of fresh air to speak with someone like artist, curator and arts organizer Tammy Jo Wilson. Not only is she committed to said objectives, but it’s for the betterment of all — for making this world a better place.
In her own words, reflected on her website, Tammy Jo seeks to, “Share through [her] work an expanded view of the black female experience in the 21st century. [She is] speaking to those among us that are looking for a broader understanding of commonalities rather than differences.
Historically rooted in the feminist art movement [her] work attempts to further the unraveling of antiquated thinking around women in art and society. [She offers] a visual entrance to an expanded view of the black female experience and the raw realities faced by marginalized people.”
She goes on further to state, “[Her] practice has evolved over the past 10 years to be less about individual identity and more reflective of cultural and societal understanding of inflicted identity versus projected identity. And she is “Interested in pushing back against what the Western art canon tells us black women’s art is, or should be.” It’s this last point I find most compelling in her work. Because as clear as her vocalized intent is, her absolutely gorgeous but sometimes eerie and abstract pieces are far less transparent. The true depth and meaning behind each piece is cleverly disguised under layers of symbolism and only revealed after careful study.
Tammy Jo is the quintessential artist. Encouraged at a young age, she began studying under professionals in high school. With both a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in
Fine Arts, she has traveled every state in the country expanding and honing her craft. She has taught multiple classes and for the past 14 years held the position of Visual Arts and Technology Program Manager at Lewis & Clark College. In 2017, she co-founded Art in Oregon (AiO), a statewide visual-arts-focused nonprofit working to build bridges between artists and communities. In 2022, she also became Director of the Bush House Museum Exhibits & Programming.
Never one to rest on her laurels, Tammy Jo was recently involved in the Black Artists of Oregon Exhibition, a historic retrospective she was incredibly proud to be a part of. In May, she exhibited some of her most recent work (including her first full-sized wall mural) at the Souvenir Gallery in Portland. She is also working on an upcoming documentary short film series with MOsley WOtta called “Sketch and Release,” which will highlight black artists in Oregon.
For more information, follow her on Instagram: tammyjowilsonart or check out www.tammyjowilson.com.
Bloomin’ Good Time
Dahlias Festival a colorful community event
By Kelly Romo, Contributing Writer
Photos by Jen Blair Photography & Natalie Kristeen Photography
Immerse yourself in a vibrant celebration of nature at the annual Dahlia Festival hosted by Swan Island Dahlias. This beloved event, featuring over 370 dahlia varieties, transforms the picturesque fields of Canby into a kaleidoscope of color and beauty. From early August to late September, visitors are invited to explore the stunning display gardens, stroll through expansive flower fields and partake in a variety of engaging activities on Wednesdays through Sundays. With free admission, live music, local food carts and a unique gift shop, the Dahlia Festival offers an unforgettable experience for all ages. Join them for a day of floral enchantment, community and joy as you celebrate the splendor of dahlias in full bloom.
Hybridizing new dahlia varieties is a meticulous process at Swan Island. They let bees handle initial cross-pollination and then select seed pods from preferred varieties. Each year, they cultivate 15,000 seedlings,
gradually narrowing them down to five to fifteen new varieties introduced annually. The selection criteria include long stems, flower quality, and uniqueness. With over 370 dahlia varieties on display, festival-goers can discover new favorites. Look out for creatively named varieties like “Petal Faster,” “Tutu Much” and the striking red and yellow “Incrediball.” Each name adds a touch of whimsy to the vibrant blooms.
This year’s festival introduces the new and expanded gift shop that offers a wide range of local goods, from soaps and lotions to cookbooks and canned foods. Visitors can also find unique items
for pets, gardening and babies, making it a specialty shop worth exploring.
Local vendors and musicians play a significant role in the festival, creating a lively atmosphere with carefully selected bands that ensure a diverse and enjoyable experience for weekend visitors. Be sure to check the event calendar for the lineup of bands and food carts during your visit. Plan to spend a few hours exploring to make the most of your time at the festival. Start with the display garden to see all the varieties in one place, then stroll through the fields. The koi pond is a favorite among children and those
who appreciate the beauty of these fish. Enjoy the food carts, live music and gift shop. On weekends, bring a blanket for a relaxing afternoon surrounded by fields of flowers while you listen to music and savor delicious food and drinks.
Swan Island Dahlias ensures accessibility for all visitors, with ample ADA parking, accessible restrooms and pathways. The level grounds and free entry make it an inviting destination for people of all ages and income levels.
Swan Island Dahlias is more than a farm; it’s where passion, history and community converge in a spectacular celebration of nature’s beauty.
Visit the festival at 995 NW 22nd Ave. in Canby from August through September, open Wednesdays through Sundays from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.. Check the event calendar at www.dahlias.com to see the lineup of bands and vendors so you can join them and immerse yourself in the vibrant world of dahlias!
• Free Admission & Free Parking
• Food Trucks
• Live Music on the Weekends
• Fun Classes (Pre-Registration Required)
• Fresh-Cut Flowers
• Newly Renovated Gift Shop Open Year Round
• Hosting ZNA Northwest Koi SHow
• Hosting Canby Dahlia Run
Ievents.cff.org/.golfforacure
n the month of August, Mattress World Northwest has teamed up with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation for the 3rd Annual CFF Golf for a Cure tournament which will be held at Stone Creek Golf Club in Oregon City, Aug. 19 at 7 a.m. Enjoy an exciting day of golf, contests, beverages and snacks throughout the morning followed by lunch, an auction and the golf award ceremony.
Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is a rare genetic disorder that affects mostly the lungs, but also the pancreas, liver, kidneys and intestines. There is no known cure. The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is committed to finding that cure, as well as providing those suffering from
the disorder the ability to live long, fulfilling lives through the funding of research, drug development and partnering with the CF community to advance high-quality specialized care. MWNW is gladly donating to this incredible cause, as well as raising awareness and taking donations on the foundation’s behalf. Please help raise funds by donating online or visiting one of their local stores.
Family-owned and -operated, dedicated to providing their customers the best products at the best prices, all while donating to and participating in their local communities, Mattress World Northwest exemplifies the best of what retail businesses have to offer. This proves that not all mattress stores are created equal.
Get a better night’s sleep and help support your local community at the nearest Mattress World Northwest store. They are open every day or you can order online at mattressworldnorthwest.com.
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