This weekend in Oregon City, OR

Brushes & Blessings brings face painting and henna to the Annual Dahlia Festival, surrounded by fields of spectacular blooms. Artist Alexandria Hardeman draws on a decade of professional face painting and eight years of henna to create personalized designs that turn ideas into wearable art. Her upbeat approach shines when shaping children’s boldest visions, whether that means a soaring dragon, a quirky hermit crab, or intricate goat skull details, all delivered with solid technique and a sense of fun. The festival backdrop amplifies the experience with more than 500,000 dahlia plants across nearly 50 acres and a display garden highlighting over 375 unique varieties. Explore the color, pick up a fresh-cut bouquet, and order favorites online for joyful spring planting. Browse The Mercantile for distinctive gifts and handcrafted pieces from local artists, enjoy treats from food trucks, catch live music, or take a creative class. Parking and admission are free, and cameras are encouraged.

Browse vendors, find delicious food and goodies, and enjoy talented live music. The fun continues all summer long.

The Big Scoop sets up at the Annual Dahlia Festival’s centennial celebration, adding to the lineup of visiting food trucks. Guests can take in sweeping displays of colorful dahlias, enjoy a bite, and linger over the scenic views. The festival also features sweet refreshments, including soft serve ice cream, shaved ice with lemon, and occasional homemade desserts.

The Annual Dahlia Festival marks its centennial, celebrating a hundred years of blooms with a future rooted in beauty. Colorful dahlia fields and sweeping views create a vivid backdrop, and a rotation of food trucks serves up tasty options throughout the grounds. Live music fills the gardens, featuring the Hank Shreve Band, a harmonica-driven blend of blues, rock, funk, and soul from Eugene, Oregon. Led by Hank Shreve on vocals, harmonica, keyboards, and lap steel, the lineup includes Bill Shreve on bass and vocals, guitarist Ken Luker, and drummer Tim Donahue, who is recognized internationally. The band has earned multiple Muddy Awards, including recognition for best regional act and best harmonica, and has released four self-produced studio albums. Hank Shreve was also featured as an artist and educator at the 2025 World Harmonica Festival in Trossingen, Germany. Their dynamic sound provides an uplifting soundtrack amid the flowers and countless photo opportunities.

Boots, Badges and Big Hearts Dinner Auction brings the community together at the Hilton Garden Inn Clackamas Portland for an evening centered on honor and fundraising. The program features a dinner with both silent and live auctions. Registration is open, and tickets as well as sponsorship opportunities are available through the organizer’s website. For questions or to contribute items for the auctions, contact the event organizers.

Since 2009, The Bogans have energized crowds with a lively blend of classic rock, pop, blues, and country favorites. With rough-edged guitars, a locked-in groove, and a clear love for timeless songs, they deliver a set made for dancing and big singalongs.

At Clackamas Community College, a 5K run and walk pairs with a pancake breakfast to raise funds for Clackamas Free Clinic and its mission to provide no-cost, compassionate care for uninsured and underinsured adults. The event welcomes seasoned runners, casual walkers, and those who are there for the pancakes. Friends, families, coworkers, and leashed dogs add to the warm, family friendly atmosphere. Team registration includes savings. When a team reaches five participants, each member receives a five dollar refund, and groups of ten or more qualify for even larger discounts. Proceeds support essential services including primary and vision care, preventive care and management of chronic conditions, culturally responsive healthcare, and hands-on training for future healthcare professionals. Expect a lively 5K experience and a hot breakfast, all focused on expanding access to care in the community.

Celebrate the Annual Dahlia Festival with a hands-on cookie decorating class that transforms royal icing techniques into a petite, dahlia-inspired bouquet. Guided by Food Network artist Anna Oliinyk, participants learn how to handle royal icing, manage floral consistency, mix colors, and pipe petals and leaves using specialized tips. The instructor demonstrates each step, then provides one-on-one guidance as everyone decorates their own set of floral cookies. Each person will design and assemble 4 to 6 cookies into an edible bouquet to take home. All supplies are included in the class fee of $65.00, and the session runs for two hours. The experience is beginner friendly and can be adjusted in pace and complexity for different skill levels. It is best for ages 12 and up, with teens attending alongside an adult who is also enrolled. The class is adult focused yet welcoming to families. The workshop takes place indoors in a barn with a sawdust or dirt floor, so comfortable, practical clothing is recommended. Food and drinks are available for purchase from on-site food trucks, and arriving early is encouraged if you plan to grab a snack since the class will start on time. Plan to check in by the Cut Flower Stand about 10 to 15 minutes before the session begins, and watch your email on the day of class for any updates. Every attendee needs their own ticket, and spectators are not permitted. Anna Oliinyk is a Portland-based cookie artist and founder of Sunday Cookers. She is known for detailed floral piping and realistic three-dimensional cookie designs inspired by nature and fine art, has taught students of all levels in multiple languages, and has competed on Food Network’s Holiday Wars.

River Divide brings a high-energy mix of country favorites, classic rock standbys, and modern top 40 to the Annual Dahlia Festival’s centennial celebration. This local four-piece of close friends is known for professionalism, passion, and a knack for reading the room so they can play what guests want to hear and keep the dance floor busy. Their shows feature personal interaction, with the lead singer moving through the crowd to sing and the band visiting with people during breaks. In just 2.5 years together they have built a loyal community of more than 1.3k supporters. While you explore colorful dahlia fields, enjoy scenic views, and sample rotating food trucks, their live set adds a vibrant soundtrack to a day among the blooms.

Build and paint in a relaxed, open session held on the fourth Sunday of the month. Bring a project from home or begin a new one, with experienced enthusiasts available to answer technique questions and share tips.

Plan a family friendly axe throwing outing in Oregon City with a deal designed for young participants. Kids ages 8 to 17 throw free when they come with a paid adult throw. The venue is partnering with OC Taco next door, making it easy to grab tacos, bring them over, throw some axes, and relax without having to rush anywhere else. It works well for families, birthdays, and laid back weekend plans. Lanes can be reserved in advance, and walk ins may be accommodated if space allows.

Create striking dahlia art in a relaxed gouache and ink workshop held during the Annual Dahlia Festival. Guided by floral artist Emelia Kelley, you will explore a layered mixed media approach that pairs opaque gouache with expressive linework to bring depth, movement, and personality to your florals. Each participant receives a pre-drawn dahlia on high quality mixed media paper, which keeps the focus on building color, dimension, and lively petal details. The flower’s structure is broken into approachable brushstrokes, and you will build richness through intentional, confident mark-making. Everyone leaves with a finished 8x10 mixed media painting and techniques to carry into future work. Emelia specializes in expressive, layered botanicals, and her years of teaching inform a clear, supportive approach that builds confidence while encouraging personal expression. The $50 fee includes all supplies. Ages 14 and up. No guests are permitted, and each attendee must purchase a ticket. The class takes place indoors in a barn with a sawdust or dirt floor, so dress accordingly. Food and drink are available from on-site food trucks. Plan to arrive early if you want to pick up a snack because the class will begin promptly. Check in near the Cut Flower Stand 10 to 15 minutes before class, and watch your email the day of class for any updates. While visiting the festival, explore expansive dahlia fields across nearly 50 acres and a display garden featuring more than 375 varieties. Browse unique finds at The Mercantile and enjoy tasty options from the food trucks. Parking and admission to the grounds are free.

Settle in for a wide-ranging trivia night with good company and refreshing beverages. Friends and family can team up for a chance to win bar cash.