Are you enjoying your summer so far? It seems that the time is flying away so fast. In a blink of an eye, summer will end, and we will be doomed to cold temperatures once again, with melancholic thoughts of warmer days that are long gone. To use this magical period to the fullest, we’ve jotted down a few suggestions on how to spend your sweet summertime smartly.
When it comes to outdoor activities and festivals, Portland has an impressive array of options to offer. Let’s explore all the events that are at our disposal at the end of July 2018!
1. 2018 Northwest String Summit Outdoor Music Festival

6 stages, 4 days and nights of wonderful music (July 19-22, 2018), wonderful people and legendary camping! So, prepare for as many as three performances of Yonder Mountain String Band and Greensky Bluegrass. If your schedule allows it, you’ll have an opportunity to see Railroad Earth, Leftover Salmon, Fruition, The Lil Smokies and Mandolin Orange rock out, not once, but two times! Get your tickets to relish in amazing sounds and multiple yoga-related activities. The festival takes place at Horning’s Hideout, which is only 25 miles west of Portland. Radio Cab taxi can get you there in no time!
2. Hood River County Fruit Loop Cherry Celebration
Through July, you have a chance to celebrate all things cherry-related at Draper Girls Country Farm. There’s plenty of good old family fun to be had, while you pick your own cherries and enjoy non-pasteurized cherry ciders and/or cherry milkshakes. Their country market has a wide array of above-mentioned cherries, fresh vegetables, berries, jams, of all kinds of pies, and honey. If you wish to sample or possibly purchase any of those goodies, you know where to go! Most importantly, don’t miss their famous smoked cherry BBQ sauce (they make it once a year)! The word on the street is- it’s scrumptious.
3. 2018 Cathedral Park Jazz Festival

Jazz Society of Oregon’s Cathedral Park Jazz Festival will be held on Friday, Saturday, July, and Sunday, 19-22, July 2018. Get your jazz on (but don’t you forget about the blues and R& B too!) at the historic St Johns Bridge in Portland. This is the longest running jazz & blues festival west of Mississippi River, and it celebrates its 38th birthdays this year. The entrance is free, and you are welcome to bring your blankets or folding chairs, to bring a picnic-like feel to your jazzy experience.
4. Gresham Arts Festival (July 20th and 21st, 2018)
This 2-day celebration of art, culture, and music in downtown Gresham is perfect if you enjoy time spent with artist and artisans, talent shows and silent art auctions. From 9 am till 5 pm on 21st, little ones will have a chance to take part in face-painting activities, craft stations, reptile show, bounce houses, obstacle courses a lot of other fun stuff. Furthermore, don’t miss a chance to join local Gresham artist as they try to set the world record for the largest paint party! If you have some Gresham-specific landscape in mind, which you would like to transfer to canvas, visit their website to learn the details and help them in their endeavor.
5. 2018 Oregon Brewers Festival

Visit one of the nation’s longest-running craft beer events this summer. All you beer lovers out there, consider your agendas filled July 26 through July 29! At Tom Call Waterfront Park, taps of 80 craft beers will be open starting noon every day. A perfect opportunity being able to a multitude of craft beers all over the world, isn’t it Wine and cider lovers are also welcome, OBF will have some delightful options for them too. Responsible drinking is always encouraged, so don’t forget to have Radio Cab on your speed dial, and drink away!