Whoa! This weekend is PACKED. Head just outside of town for a taste of Bavarian celebration, stay in the fair (or grey, depending on the hour) Rose City for COMIC CON, or visit Sauvie Island and see just how many things can be pickled.

Now thru Sept 20

Mount Angel Oktoberfest

This Bavarian style harvest festival is in its 50th year! Music and dance entertainment from all over the country, wiener dog and human races, a “passport” activity for huge raffle prizes, arts and crafts, and food booths and wine and beer gardens galore. $8-30, oktoberfest.org

Sept 19

Sidewalk Chalk Art Festival

Bring your chalking skills and join other artists, of all levels of expertise, in decorating the blocks of downtown Forest Grove. Enjoy live music, balloons, and other entertainment while you create! Bring your own knee pads and drawing accessories; colorful chalk included with admission. $7-12, valleyart.org/chalk-art-festival

Sept 19

Soroptimists 5th Annual Harvest Festival

Farm fun for a good cause! Hay rides, hay mazes, face painting, giant bouncing pillow and slide, and live music and dancing. Proceeds support local women’s shelters and efforts to stop human trafficking and domestic violence. $5-10, kids 2 and under free, soroptimistlowl.org

Sept 19-20

Rose City Comic Con

Step into the world of comics, characters, gaming, anime, sci-fi, fantasy, and all things imaginary, other-worldly, and artistic. Costumes strongly encouraged and quite welcome! $25-50, $5 child pass (ages 3-10), rosecitycomiccon.com

Sept 20

Oregon Fermentation Festival

Fermented foods get their own festival now? Yeah! Taste the best in local pickles, beer, wine, vinegars, krauts, and probably things you didn’t even know were fermented. Make your own jar of pickles to take home and learn about the benefits and history of fermentation. $29-39, kids under 12 free, oregonfermentationfestival.com