McMenamins’ 17th Annual UFO Festival
This weekend, the 17th Annual UFO Festival will arrive at Hotel Oregon (310 N.E. Evans St.) in McMinnville, just south of Portland. Speakers include eyewitnesses of the Phoenix Lights, a Phoenix city official, Navajo Federal Rangers, and seasoned “UFO investigators.” Phoenix Lights are described by witnesses as a massive boomerang-shaped object that moved silently and slowly over parts of Arizona and Mexico, and could not have been a man-made aircraft. The speakers will discuss their own personal experience from that day nearly two decades ago.
The massive festival, which claims to be “the second-largest alien festival” in the country, kicks off with a speaker event on Thursday, followed by live music and a live broadcast of the “Ground Zero” radio show. Friday consists of multiple speaker events and film screenings. Saturday is the UFO parade, alien pet costume contest and an alien costume ball, and Sunday is breakfast with a speaker. Participants are encouraged to try the specially brewed McMenamin’s Alienator India Pale Ale and participate in the UFO Abduction Dash 5K Run.
Speaker events cost between $20-40 and nearly everything else is free.
Eugene
Friday, May 13
Louis Futon – WOW Hall (291 W 8th Ave), 9 p.m., $15 in advance, $18 at the door
In only two years, Louis Futon has risen to prominence as a producer/DJ with official remixes for stars like Logic, G-Eazy, Future, Wiz Khalifa and more. Influenced by hip-hop, Futon creates music of his own with bright melodies, rhythmic electro-tones and hip-hop drums. His “Futon Takes America” tour will be sure to bump your socks off.
Saturday, May 14
BicyClean – starts at the Outdoor Program Barn (1225 E. 18th.), 9 a.m., free
Sponsored by the UO Outdoor Program, the annual BicyClean event aims to restore Eugene’s bike paths by collecting trash and grooming the trails. Participants will meet at the UO Outdoor Program Barn near Jane Sanders softball field at 9 a.m. on Saturday morning, then set off in bike teams with bike trailers to clean more than 25 miles of bike paths. Local foods and raffle prizes will be provided.
Sunday, May 15
Bark in the Park – Alton Baker Park (632 Day Island Rd.), 8 a.m., $25 in advance, $30 day-of registration
This weekend, expect to see hundreds of dogs with their owners in Alton Baker Park. More than 1,000 people and their pups are expected to “leash up” for a 2K, 5K, and 10K trot along the Willamette River. All the money raised from the event goes straight to the Greenhill Humane Society, which is hosting the annual affair. The group hopes to raise $90,000 this year to find homes and care for about 3,000 animals. The event will also include vendor booths and awards for pet/person karaoke, pet/person look-alike and best pet trick.
Portland
Friday, May 13
Violent Femmes – Crystal Ballroom (1332 W. Burnside), 8 p.m., $102
Upon the release of a self-titled debut album more than 30 years ago, Milwaukee-based blasé punk group Violent Femmes had some immortal hits, such as the ubiquitous track “Blister in the Sun.” After some sporadic disbanding and reassembling throughout their career, the group released its ninth studio album We Can Do Anything in March.
Friday, May 13 and Saturday, May 14
Cheers to Belgian Beers – North Warehouse (723 N. Tillamook), Friday 1-9 p.m., Saturday 12-8 p.m., $20 for a glass and 10 tasting tickets, 21+
The 10th annual Cheers to Belgian Beers festival will feature nearly 70 Belgian-style beers from scores of Oregon craft breweries, all of which have developed a brew from the same yeast strain, the 58 Lioness. Last year, the festival had 60 beers from 57 brewers; this year, participating breweries include the Deschutes Brewery, Hair of the Dog Brewing and Laurelwood Brewery.
Sunday, May 15
Wanderlust 108 – Laurelhurst Park (3756 S.E. Oak St.), 7:30 a.m., $39
Promoted as an inimitable triathalon, Wanderlust 108 combines a 5K run, an outdoor yoga experience and a guided meditation as a “field day for your mind, body and soul.” When you’re not on your mat, there is also hopping, slacklining, acroyoga, local food and craft vendors. Nationally recognized teachers, speakers and musical talent will be featured at this year’s event.
