(Smith Rocks State Park, Oregon)

THE GREAT OUTDOORS
What a perfect September weekend to explore the beauty around us.

When was the last time you hit up Hood River? Sunset Magazine named Hood River’s hiking and biking destinations among the magazine’s award for the “Best Adventures and Explorations” category alongside central Oregon’s astral tourism and Medford’s Heart of The Rogue Festival. The cited the "wineries, cideries, and craft breweries, e-bike tours, epic trail runs and hikes, and the unique opportunity to pedal a two-person railbike along old train tracks through the woods.” Meanwhile Outside Magazine named Hood River one of the happiest places to live in the country.

The U-S Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management are waiving day-use fees on Saturday, in celebration of the 30th annual National Public Lands Day … which is always the fourth Saturday in September. Take a moment to recognize the work of volunteers and partners who help care for federal public lands whilst you enjoy that free day use Saturday.

OMSI is hosting a free stargazing party this weekend to celebrate the autumnal equinox. Volunteers with Rose City Astronomers will be on hand at L.L. Stub Stewart and Rooster Rock state parks this Saturday with telescopes for folks to look through. The party will start with a presentation at dusk and will run through 11 p.m.

OKTOBERFEST

For the first time since 2019, Oktoberfest returns to Oaks Park. And for the first time ever, free admission with the purchase of a Ride Bracelet.

Prost! Portland Oktoberfest in the Mississippi District.

Buoy Beer Oktoberfest at Astoria Armory is Saturday. Beers, brats and oom-pah highlight this one-day event that includes a stein-holding competition. Free admission, and all ages are welcome.

ilani Oktoberfest is next weekend Sept 29 & 30, listen to win tickets with Stacey & Mike at 7:40am all this week.

EAT/DRINK/SHOP/BE MERRY

If beer isn't your thing it's Negroni Week. From September 18-24, bars and restaurants around the world and right here in Portland will be mixing classic Negronis and variations for a great cause.

The last Ankeny Alley Festival of the year is this weekend, with everyone celebrating the autumn solstice. Head to Downtown Portland to shop from local businesses, try new foods and watch live entertainment.

Beaverton Restaurant Week is actually 11 days so plenty of time to try out a new joint. Top Burmese and Mingo are a couple of my favs, so excited!

Then there are the 3 Oregon restaurants that have earned their place on the New York Times' prestigious list of the top 50 restaurants in America! Cafe Olli and Lilia Comedor in Portland and Okta inside McMinnville's Tributary Hotel.

Rose City Comic Con. Held in the Oregon Convention Center, it’s the place to be for Portland pop culture buffs. During this year’s event, attendees can take photos with movie actresses like Zoe Saldana and Karen Gillan. That kicks off Friday at 1 PM.

It's the Big Bounce America's final weekend at PIR. It looks like running through a life size bouncy version of the Candy Land board game!

The Fall Kite Festival is this weekend in Lincoln City. Held on the beach at the D River State Recreation Site, the annual Fall Kite Festival is a longstanding family vacation tradition.

FALL FESTIVITIES

“The Spirit of Halloweentown”. The annual event celebrates the Disney Channel original movie, “Halloweentown” through Halloween in St. Helens.

Is your instagram ready for reels of pumpkin patches, corn maizes and piping hot apple cider? There's no shortage of great places to visit!

STACEY & MIKE'S WEEKEND WATCHLIST

Our iHeartRadio Music Festival Friday night at 7pm on HULU.

Love At First Sight. Hadley and Oliver begin falling in love on a flight from New York to London, but when they lose each other at customs, can they defy all odds to reunite? (Netflix)

Special Opps: Lioness on Paramount Plus. Stacey and her boyfriend binged this one very quickly. So good!

The Buddy Games is the Josh Duhamel hosted reality competition on CBS. Watch out for TEAM PRIDE featuring local drag queens Summer Lynne Seasons and Steven Svetlana and our favorite reality competition veteran (Naked & Afraid) Andrew Shayde

Elemental is now the most watched debut on Disney+ this year.

This 14-year-old beat stage 4 cancer, just in time to make it home for Christmas

Family adopts neglected dog after she wandered into their home

Police surprise motorists with gift cards instead of tickets during traffic stops

Twice as many monarch butterflies are in Pismo this year. Here’s why that’s ‘great news’

'Piece of my heart': Teacher has three students with disabilities in wedding