astoriadave

Astoria Weekend Amusements (June 17-19, 2022)

Astoria Scandinavian Festival - Norway FTW!

Your annual weekend of Astoria Scandinavian heritage, hex burning—and cosplay—is here!  Also you can see a play, learn how to write a zine, and don’t forget the kayfabe!

Friday-Sunday

Astoria Scandinavian Festival

Astoria Scandinavian FestivalThe 2022 Astoria Scandinavian Festival takes place Friday through Sunday, June 17-19 at the Clatsop County Fairgrounds (92937 Walluski Loop).

Booths open Friday at 2pm, and the beer garden opens at 3pm! Don’t miss the torchlight parade and hex burning at about 8pm (just after the Queen’s coronation).

Scandia men with flaming torches will lead the newly crowned Miss Scandinavia and audience members to the bonfire to throw straw hexes into the flames. This tradition symbolizes ridding oneself of bad luck for the year.

Saturday the fun starts at 7am with the Midnight Sun Breakfast.  The booths open at 10am and the beer garden at 11am.  Saturday also features the Barnefest, with activities for children, from 11am to 5pm in the exhibit hall.  Don’t miss the Swedish Meatball Eating Contest at 3:15pm and the Æbleskiver Eating Contest at 3:15pm!

Sunday kicks off early as well, with the 7am Sisu Breakfast.   And don’t miss the Scandinavian Spelling Bee at 12:30pm and the  Æbleskiver Eating Contest at 12:45pm, both in the main exhibit hall.

The entertainment all weekend is delightfully eclectic (with plenty of accordion!), and the approximately 50 vendors offer everything under the midnight sun.

Birds of a Feather

Birds of a FeatherBirds of a Feather, a play by Marc Acito and directed by Ann Bronson, is the latest production of the Ten Fifteen Theater (1015 Commercial), debuts this Friday, June 17, 2022, with additional shows Saturday, and Sunday, June 18-19, 2022. (The run continues next week too: Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, June 23, 24, 25.)

Birds of a Feather recounts the story of Roy and Silo, the two Central Park Zoo chinstrap penguins who partnered, adopted an egg, hatched and raised a chick together. Roy and Silo are no strangers to the spotlight. In 2005, they were the subject of a widely contested children’s book, And Tango Makes Three, by Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson. The book, temporarily pulled from school bookshelves in Loudoun County, became one of the most banned books in the US.

The Friday and Saturday show are at 7:30pm, and the Sunday show is at 3:30pm. Tickets $20 and are available online or at the door. Makes sure to check the theater website before the show for the latest COVID policies.

Friday

Astoria Nordic Heritage Park Dedication

Astoria Nordic Heritage ParkEveryone is invite to the dedication of the new Astoria Nordic Heritage Park this Friday, 10:30am to noon at 16th and Marine Drive.

The short ceremony will include dancers in Nordic folk wear costumes, lur call, flags and anthems, a few speakers, and a ceremony where ASHA gifts the park to the City of Astoria and the community. Keynote speaker will be Karl Marlantes, NY Times best-selling author of Deep River which chronicles immigrant life in the region in the early 20th century.

Organizers ask that you park south of Marine Drive, and not park in the Columbia River Maritime Museum parking lot. There will be a drop off zone on Marine Drive adjacent to the park.   First come first serve bleachers and 300 chairs will be set up next to the Riverwalk.  Music and entertainment start at 10 AM. The dedication starts at 10:30.

Saturday

Zine Making Workshop with Heather Douglas

The Writer's GuildRemember zines? They were like blogs or personal websites on every topic under the sun, before the internet. Join freelance writer and illustrator Heather Douglas this Saturday, June 18, 2022 at the Astoria Studio Collective (1010 Duane) and make your own zine!

During our time together, you will learn about the power of zines and chapbooks and leave with ideas for making many more! No supplies are needed, however, if you prefer to bring your own supplies, you can bring a glue stick or clear tape and scissors. Participants are encouraged to bring unique paper scraps of paper to collage with, but it’s totally okay to just bring yourself because I will have plenty of supplies for everyone. All levels of experience are more than welcome!

The workshop is brought to you by Heather and the Astoria Writers Guild.  The workshop cost is $35 ($25 for guild members).

Sunday

Astoria Sunday Market

Astoria Sunday Market

The Astoria Sunday Market runs from 10am to 3pm every Sunday through mid-October on 12th Street downtown, between Marine Drive and Exchange.

Astoria Sunday Market, at the heart of Astoria’s Downtown, combines fresh produce, local arts & crafts, food, music and more in a lively downtown street market atmosphere. The market features up to 200 vendors each week offering locally-made products that have been hand-crafted, grown, created or gathered by the farmers, craftspeople and artisans featured each week. In addition, the Market has a lively food court with regional entertainment making this the gathering place each Sunday for locals and visitors to the region.  

Pacific Northwest Pro Wrestling

How about some professional wrestling on Father’s Day?  Reserve your tickets ($10) ahead of time by messaging Pnpw Prowrestling on FB, then head down to the Astoria Armory (417 15th) for the 5pm show (doors open at 4:30pm) on Sunday, June 19, 2022. 

PNPW Wrestling June 19, 2022 at the Astoria Armory

Check out this great profile of Roger Jaime, a.k.a. C.C. Poison, in the Astorian a few years back, who brought Pacific Northwest Professional Wrestling to the North Coast in the early 2000s. 

Astoria Pride Weekend 2022 (June 8-12)

Astoria PrideCelebrate Pride all week long at venues all over town.  Performers and personalities making appearances events throughout the weekend include Dida DeAngelis, The Magic of Seth Howard, Hula Performance by Kalani, Astor Street Opry Company, Miss Ariel View, and Darcelle XV!  Most events are free and open to the public, though a few events require tickets, as noted below. 

Wednesday (June 8)

Thursday (June 9)

Friday (June 10)

Saturday (June 11)

Sunday (June 12)


And there are plenty of other fun things to do this weekend in Astoria . . .

Thursday

Buffalo Soldiers: Fighting on Two Fronts

Clatsop Community College is hosting a free showing, and community discussion with Ron Craig, of the film Buffalo Soldiers: Fighting on Two Fronts this Thursday, June 9, 2022 at 5:30 p.m. in Columbia Hall 219 (1651 Lexington).  

Friday

Shinrin-Yoku

Clatsop Community College

The 2022 Clatsop Community College Basic Design class is exploring the practice of Shinrin-Yoku and its connection to the visual arts and nature and would like to extend an invitation to the community on Friday, June 10, 2022 from noon until 2pm. to enjoy a leisurely walk along the forest trail that begins at the back of the lower parking lot at the end of Lexington Avenue on campus, and leads up to the column. 

The Shinrin-Yoku event was inspired by multi-talented local artist, performer, and activist Marco Davis‘ innovative event called Sunday in the Park with Art.  With his blessing, the students will install both individual and collaborative creative projects along the trail. The Japanese concept of Shinrin-Yoku, loosely translated into English as “Forest Bathing,” Shinrin-Yoku is a form of healing that involves wandering along a forest trail or spending time in natural places.   

For all the details, including several artist statements, check out the press release.

Saturday

Second Saturday Art Walk

Astoria, Oregon 2nd Saturday Art Walk

The June 2022 edition of Second Saturday Art Walk is upon us.

From noon until 8pm on Saturday, June 11 explore art at galleries and shops throughout downtown-and beyond.

Pick up a map and list of locations from local shops, or on the Astoria Downtown Historic District website here. Check out the latest Coast Weekend after Thursday for listings of this month’s featured artists, exhibits, and activities.

Sunday

Astoria Sunday Market

Astoria Sunday Market

The Astoria Sunday Market runs from 10am to 3pm every Sunday through mid-October on 12th Street downtown, between Marine Drive and Exchange.

Astoria Sunday Market, at the heart of Astoria’s Downtown, combines fresh produce, local arts & crafts, food, music and more in a lively downtown street market atmosphere. The market features up to 200 vendors each week offering locally-made products that have been hand-crafted, grown, created or gathered by the farmers, craftspeople and artisans featured each week. In addition, the Market has a lively food court with regional entertainment making this the gathering place each Sunday for locals and visitors to the region.