10 Things You HAVE to Do in September

We may be saying, “sayonara, summer” this month, but there are still plenty of crazy fun activities on the docket to entertain your family all month long. How do two circuses, two neighborhood celebrations, a bike ride across Tilikum Crossing, as well as two cultural festivals sound? Read on for details for our top 10 must-dos for September. 

photo: National Circus and Acrobats of the People’s Republic of China

Chinese Circus and Acrobatics
Acrobats and other performers from Beijing, China spring through hoops, swing from the ceiling from silks and balance on poles for the National Circus and Acrobats of the People’s Republic of China. Sept. 9, Wed., $18 and up, All Ages. Event details.

Belmont Street Fair
This annual event along SE Belmont Street, between 33rd and 39th avenues, has been a tradition in this cool neighborhood for 20 years. There will be nonstop live entertainment, a kids’ area (with a bouncy house), an Artists’ Alley, beer gardens and tasty food from restaurants, including Laughing Planet, Dick’s Kitchen and Suzette’s Creperie. Sept. 12, Sat., 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Free, All Ages. Event details.

Beaverton Celebration Day
The party kicks off with a 5k to benefit the Beaverton Police Activities League, followed by a Pooch Parade that leads into the Celebration Parade, filled with a boatload of floats, marching bands and various community groups. The parade goes from Allen Blvd. and Wilson Ave. to Griffith Park. Activities will take place at City Park across from the library. Sept. 12, Sat., 9 a.m. (5k), 10 a.m. (parade start), Free, All Ages. Event details.

Festival at the Farm
This 5th annual fundraiser to help protect the White Oak Savannah, serves up barbecued burgers, live music, hay and corn mazes and a craft fair, as well as fresh fruit, veggies and flowers. Kids will love the face painting and activities, like the play with clay booth. FYI, BYO chairs. Sept. 12, Sat., 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Free, All Ages. Event details.

photo: Dean Kelley

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus: Built to Amaze
See trapeze artists, acrobats, motorcycles, amazing animals and more clown antics than you can handle at this circus that’s been around since 1919. Sept. 17-20, Thurs.-Sun., $15 and up, All Ages. Event details.

Rose City Comic Con
Set phasers to fun because this star-studded comic convention for the kid in all of us features tons of comic book artists, illustrators, game inventors and high-octane celebs, including Carrie Fisher, Robert Englund (Freddie Kruger!) Karan Ashley, Lawrence Gilliard, Jr. and Manu Bennett. Sept. 19-20, Sat., 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sun., 10 a.m.-5 p.m., $5/child (3-10); $20-$25/adult; $40 2-day pass, All Ages. Event details.

photo: Oaks Park via Facebook

Oaks Park Oktoberfest
Authentic German food and beverages, accompanied by live oompah music and dancing keep people coming year after year. Family fun activities in the main festhalle include a pretzel toss, condiment art, Oktoberfest bear hug, the region’s best craft and import vendors, wiener dog races, agility dog demonstrations and cooking demos. Visit the Kinderplatz kids area for awesome activities, including crafts, a Chicken Dance party and the Radio Disney Rocktoberfest. After immersing yourselves in German culture, be sure to head to the midway for thrill rides, games and cotton candy. Sept. 25-27, Fri., 3 p.m.-midnight, Sat. 11 a.m.-midnight, Sun. 11 a.m.-7 p.m., $2-$5, All Ages. Event details.

Polish Festival
Pierogies, beer and polka are all the rage at this popular annual, cultural festival filled with live music, dance troupes and so much delicious food. Sept. 19-20, Sat., 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sun., noon-6 p.m., Free, All Ages. Event details.

Elephant and Piggie Take the Stage
Based on Mo Willems’ beloved books, Elephant and Piggie hit the stage together in an uplifting and music-filled performance that is ideal for newbies to the world of live theater. The show explores the world of “bestus friends,” Gerald the Elephant and Piggie the Pig, and how together they take on the big issues of friendship, like, what to do when two friends want to play with the same toy? Sept. 26-Oct. 25, Sat. and Sun., 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., $17-$23, All Ages. Event details.

Sunday Parkways – Tilikum Crossing
Bike, skate or walk 7 miles of car-free streets around Sellwood and the new Tilikum Crossing Bridge of the People,for the last Sunday Parkways of the year. Head to Westmoreland, Sellwood and Brooklyn Schoool parks along the route for yummy food, refreshing drinks and plenty of kids’ activities. Sept. 27, Sun., 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Tilikum Crossing to Sellwood, Free, All Ages. Event details.

What’s your family up to this month? Let us know in the Comments section below!

—Suzie Ridgway