What's News in Vancouver | Visit Vancouver USA

Our local wineries just keep raking in the awards! At the 2012 U.S. National Wine Competition in San Francisco, Three Brothers Vineyard & Winery and Bethany Vineyard & Winery of Ridgefield both won silver medals for their pinot noirs. Three Brothers also won a silver medal and a Double Gold. How about stopping by these wineries this weekend to congratulate them? I suppose you could also taste a little wine while you're at it!

Washougal Gets Amnesia

With downtown Vancouver seeing the recent additions of Mt. Tabor Brewing and Loowit Brewing, Washougal is now getting in on the act as well. It was recently announced that Amnesia Brewing, based out of North Portland, will be expanding its operations to downtown Washougal at 1834 Main Street.

The facility will include a tasting room, pub and brewhouse. In its current location, Amnesia Brewing produces 1,700 barrels of beer every year, but the Washougal location will produce up to 6,000 barrels in its first year. For more information, you can read this article from the Camas-Washougal Post Record.

Are You Ready to Rock?

The Sleep Country Amphitheater at the Clark County Fairgrounds knows how to put on a show, and visitors from near and far flock to the venue every year for the summer concert series. The first two concerts were just revealed via its Facebook page, and fans are already getting excited for this year's lineup. On July 21, Kelly Clarkson and the Fray will perform and on August 19, Kiss and Motley Crue will take to the stage as part of "The Tour 2012"!

Tickets are on sale now. Be sure to stay tuned to the amphitheater's Facebook page for more concert announcements as the summer season approaches.

Lookout for Loowit

Loowit Brewing Company recently announced that it has signed a lease agreement to operate its brewing and tap room near Esther Short Park in downtown Vancouver, which the owners hope to have open by the summer.

Loowit Brewing will join a burgeoning downtown beer scene already featuring Salmon Creek Brew Pub, Mt. Tabor Brewing, and By the Bottle. To read the entire article, click here.

Three Brothers, Three Awards

The results from the 2012 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition have been released, and Clark County's own Three Brothers Vineyard & Winery walked away winners. The winery took home the gold medal for its 2009 Sangionvese and bronze for both the 2008 Malbec Reserve and 2009 Brethren Cuvee!

The San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition is regarded as the largest competition for American wines in the world and receives over 5,500 entries. Congratulations to Three Brothers Winery and be sure to make a trip to Ridgefield to taste the wine for yourself!

Nearly Ready to "Play Ball!"

Weather permitting, the new Luke Jensen Sports Park, located near 78th Street and St. Johns Road, will be ready for the beginning of the little league baseball season on March 17. The state-of-the-art facility includes a large main synthetic turf field, four smaller fields, batting cages, walking trails, and a playground. It will primarily be used for youth baseball and soccer leagues but will also be available for teams to reserve as well as public use. You can read more about the facility by following this link.

Waterfront Park Planning Underway

It was recently announced that the City of Vancouver has agreed to a $600,000 contract that will go towards the design, construction documents, and permits for the park that will be the centerpiece of the development being planned for on the Columbia River waterfront. If all goes according to plan, the park may break ground as early as 2013. For more information on the waterfront development, visit this page on the City of Vancouver's website.

THe Latest on the Kiggins Theatre

After reopening this past summer, the Kiggins Theatre continues to improve. In late October, the Marquee Lounge was opened upstairs, allowing movie-goers to enjoy a glass of wine or a beer in the renovated space before their show. And just this week, the theater was named a heritage site by the Washington Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation, bringing it one step closer to being listed on the National Register of Historic Places! You can read more about this acknowledgment here.

Downtown Vancouver welcomes newest brewery

On Friday, Mt. Tabor Brewing will officially open its doors at 113 W 9th Street in the heart of downtown Vancouver USA. Because brewer Eric Surface is relocating the business from Portland, Mt. Tabor has already gained its fair share of followers and perfected its beers. Customers and visitors can expect to taste the P5 Pale Ale and Asylum Ave IPA to begin with. So be sure to be there for the grand opening, making Vancouver's October First Friday event that much better!

For all the latest news and information about Mt. Tabor Brewing, check out its Facebook page.

Get out and climb!

It's hard to miss the new structure going up on the corner of Main and 12th Streets, and it will be even harder for visitors to pass up the opportunity to head inside for some active fun. The Source Climbing Center will open its doors in November and will be the premier indoor rock-climbing gym in the area, with 3,900 square feet of top rope and lead climbing terrain, 1,200 square feet of bouldering terrain, and an 800 square foot mezzanine for parties and private events. For just $12, you will be able to come in, harness up, grab your shoes and chalkbag, and scale those walls.

You can find out more about the Source Climbing Center on its website or Facebook page.

On your mark, get set...

With a rolling, European-style layout, the cross country course at the Fort Vancouver National Site is a runner's dream, and national race organizers and local collegiate administrators have come to realize it. For the past two years, and again this November, Vancouver has hosted the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Cross Country National Championships. In August, it was announced that in 2012, the event will be hosted in Vancouver for a fourth straight year. It's not every day you get to see a collegiate national championship, why not come check one out here?

For the full press release, click here [pdf].

Wine tasting comes to Vancouver Farmers Market

Back in late July, it was announced that the Vancouver Farmers Market was one of 10 markets in the state of Washington selected by the Liquor Control Board to participate in a pilot program of beer and wine sampling. Beginning in September and running until November 2012, the Vancouver market will be offering tastings and will begin with wine samples from area wineries.

For more information on this addition to the Vancouver Farmers Market, you can read the Columbian article.

City Hall open house

Since June, the City of Vancouver has been in the process of moving five offices to the new City Hall building, located at 415 W. 6th St. By the middle of September, the process will be complete and the majority of City departments will be housed in the state-of-the-art brick building across the street from Esther Short Park. The City will host a dedication and open house on September 17, from noon-3 pm for anyone interested in getting a look inside the City’s new home.

To read the complete release, click here.

Large conference to attract anime enthusiasts

Over Labor Day Weekend, the Hilton Vancouver and Red Lion at the Quay will be hosts to one of the largest and most uniquely-dressed Vancouver conferences of the year. The annual Kumoricon Anime Convention, known for its attendees dressed in anime costumes, will bring in around 4,120 visitors, providing a boost to downtown businesses. Restaurants, shops, and retailers in the area may want to prepare for an increase in traffic due to the large amount of attendees.

More meeting options now available

Are you looking at Vancouver USA as a potential city for your next meeting or convention? If so, we have some great news for you! Within the past month, two new smaller venues have opened with unique off-site meeting space.

The Artillery Barracks at Fort Vancouver held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on July 15. The building, which most recently served as offices for Army personnel, now has a renovated porch and 6,500 square feet of interior space that is available to rent for private events. The space includes a conference room, workshop area and a banquet room with a kitchen.

On July 17, the new Vancouver Community Library opened in downtown. Heralded for its architecture, art and technology, the facility also includes three community rooms available for smaller meetings. With so many options available in Vancouver USA, it’s the perfect destination for your next meeting or convention! To see a complete list of meeting venues, view our Meeting Facilities & Lodging Page.

Pearson Air Museum to offer free airplane rides

When the Airliners International Collectibles Show and Convention comes to Portland in late August, Vancouver USA will play a major role as well. On Wednesday, August 24, a Boeing 40C will fly into Pearson Air Field, to the delight of airplane enthusiasts. The aircraft is the only still-flying 40C in the world, having been built originally between 1927 and 1931. The plane will remain on display in the Pearson Air Museum until August 28. Don’t miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see this rare aircraft in person!

On Saturday, August 27, be sure to bring the kids to Pearson for Open Cockpit Day and the Youth Eagles Program. Visitors to the museum will have the chance to sit inside the Y-28 Trojan and Ryan PT-21 aircrafts as well as try out the flight simulator lab. If the simulator just isn’t cutting it, the Youth Eagles Program will allow children ages 8-17, with a parent’s signature, to enjoy a free airplane ride from Pearson Air Field!

For more information on all of these Pearson events, check out our website.

Get your tickets, the Kiggins Theatre is back!

After being closed for more than a year and undergoing a complete transformation, the Kiggins Theatre, located on Main Street in downtown Vancouver, will open its doors once again on July 16 for the Cruisin the Gut event. While classic cars line Main Street from uptown to downtown, the Kiggins Theater will be showing the film American Graffiti. Come join us in downtown Vancouver USA for the day and you’ll feel like you stepped right back into the 70s!

More information on Cruisin the Gut can be found here. After the initial opening and American Graffiti showing, the Kiggins Theatre will make an official opening in August or September. The Tourism Office will be sure to keep you posted!

Discover the historical Vancouver USA

Do you consider yourself a history buff? If so, there is much more to explore in Vancouver than just Fort Vancouver and Pearson Air Museum. In fact, the downtown core alone has years of stories behind it.

Now you have the chance to see and hear the history behind the four downtown churches, Hough School, Uptown Village, and so much more. The Clark County Historical Museum will explain the buildings and architecture to you during one of its Historic Architectural Walking Tours. Offered every Friday through September 2 and every other Saturday through August 20, each tour offers a different history lesson as well as the chance to get outdoors for an enjoyable walk!

More information on the tours can be found on our Event Calendar.

Bring your sweet tooth and your walking shoes!

Savina Darzes has presented chocolate classes in California, Washington and Oregon since 1983 and in recent years has run guided chocolate tours in the Portland area. Now, she’s bringing her expertise to Vancouver for a Sweet and Savory Walk in downtown!

Join Salina as she takes you on a 3.5-hour walk while stopping at six unique locations. Enjoy a Greek appetizer, samples from an artisan bakery, an Egyptian Sandwich, Turkish coffee, and more! Sign up now to come get some exercise, learn about the culture and history of Vancouver USA and try some of the best food around. Can you think of a better way to spend an afternoon?

For more information on the tour, please see our Event Calendar.

Tech Center takes the LEED®

Boasting a 3,425 square foot multiple meeting/exhibit room that can accommodate as many as 500 people as well as a 1,750 square foot meeting room for up to 250 people, the Clark College at Columbia Tech Center building has become a convenient space for all sorts of meetings and groups. Just recently it was announced that the Tech Center had been awarded LEED® gold certification by the Green Building Certification Institute, making it even more appealing to meeting planners.

The certification accounts for energy use, lighting, water and material use as well as other sustainability factors. By focusing on keeping the water and energy uses to a minimum, the Tech Center is able to save money for local families, businesses and taxpayers. For more information on the certification, read the full story here.

Downtown gets greener

The Vancouver Downtown Association (VDA) and 40 volunteers gathered on a Saturday morning in early April and planted 38 trees throughout the area, bringing the total to 101 trees planted in three years!

The trees provide the downtown with a more welcoming feel, which in turn invites more shoppers and visitors to the local shops, restaurants, boutiques and parks. The VDA hopes to add twinkle lights to the trees when they are mature, adding more charm to the downtown area.

For more information on downtown Vancouver, be sure to check out the VDA's website.

Memorial Day Weekend Wine Tour

With wine tastings, extended hours and special events, eight local wineries have an amazing Memorial Day Weekend planned for you! As one of Washington’s newest emerging wine regions, you are sure to enjoy the variety and quality of Southwest Washington wines. Don’t believe us? Try it for yourself!

Details of the wine tour can be found on our website.

Mt. Tabor Brewing brings new flavors to Vancouver

Visiting and local beer enthusiasts will be excited to learn that there will be more microbrews available in Vancouver USA. Mt. Tabor Brewing is relocating from Portland, Oregon to 113 W. Ninth St. in downtown Vancouver. According to brewer and owner, Eric Surface, Vancouver is “way more affordable than Portland...and has so much more to offer.” The company has already developed a loyal following for its limited-run beers.

Mt. Tabor sells beer primarily in kegs for businesses, bars and events. Customers will also have the opportunity to taste the beer and purchase individual growlers (containers) at the brewery. The new location is currently being renovated and will feature a 500-square-foot tasting room for the public with bar seating facing the street.

Eric, who lives in nearby Felida, hopes to open for business by June 2011. For the latest news about Mt. Tabor Brewing visit Eric’s blog here.

Artillery Barracks to undergo renovation

It looks as though Vancouver USA will soon have another great meeting space. The historical Artillery Barracks at the Fort Vancouver National Site is scheduled for a million-dollar restoration that will remodel 6,500 square feet of space to include a banquet room, larger and smaller meeting rooms, new restrooms, and a kitchen. Along with Vancouver’s great hotel and convention spaces, these historic venues are terrific options for offsite banquets and special events that make your meeting memorable.

For more information on the Artillery Barracks renovation, read this story that appeared in the Columbian.

Vancouver Farmers Market Begins 21st Season

The Vancouver Farmers Market opened on Saturday, March 19. Rain or shine, the market will be open weekends until October and is located between 6th and 8th on Esther Short Street. This outdoor market is one of the biggest attractions for visitors to Vancouver. Bring the whole family to browse among local growers and over 250 vendors and sample several yummy dishes from around the world.

More information on the Vancouver Farmers Market is available on its website.

Birch Street Uptown Lounge in Camas

"I feel sorry for people who don't drink. When they wake up in the morning, that's as good as they're going to feel all day." The Frank Sinatra quote on Birch Street Uptown Lounge's Facebook page quickly sums up the demographic it caters to. With top-shelf liquor, Washington and import wines, and unique beers on tap, the newly-opened lounge in Downtown Camas is quickly establishing itself as a great place to grab a drink with friends.

Food is also served, with menu items including pulled pork sliders and gourmet mac and cheese. While you're there, kick back and enjoy the smooth sounds of the Rat Pack, Tony Bennett, Tom Jones and other classic artists played overhead that add to the ambiance of the bar.

For more information, check out Birch Street's website.

There's an App for That

If you're like us, you can't wait for June 19, when downtown Vancouver will fill with runners and spectators for the first annual Vancouver USA Marathon. It's going to be an extremely exciting time for the community, and to get everyone ready for the race, Strands Fitness has released an Iphone application that will allow participants and spectators to receive news about the event, track runners during the race, find deals from sponsors, and view and share photos.

For more details and information on how to download the application, follow this link. Better hurry, though, the race is less than three months away!

The Veterans Parade is Back and Better Than Ever!

Now in its 24th year, the Veterans Parade is undergoing some changes this November. Most notably, instead of going downtown, the route will be kept entirely within the Fort Vancouver boundaries. This is your chance to see the new and improved parade route. Spend your Saturday at the Fort, rain or shine, and join the parade participants in honor of our veterans.

Check out our Event Calendar for more details on the parade.

Summer's Top Events: Something Old, Something New,

Something Red, White, Jazz and Blues!

With Summer now upon us, we look forward to the many summer events and festivals, and this year there’s a few new twists on our old favorites!

After a year’s hiatus, Independence Day at Fort Vancouver is back and it’s shaping up to be one of the summer’s best blasts. With a change in pyrotechnics this year, it means that viewing the fireworks will be almost impossible unless you are on the Fort Vancouver grounds. Also new this year is a minimal admission charge that goes to help keep the event coming back year after year. For anyone over 12 years of age, the tickets are $5 in advance or $7 at the gate. Tickets can be bought online at www.fortvan.org.

The 13th annual Vancouver Wine & Jazz Festival has added another day to the highly popular event this year. The free family night on Thursday, August 26, will feature a military jazz band and area high school musicians. The festival will continue on Friday, August 27, through Sunday, August 29, and feature internationally acclaimed jazz and blues musicians, art, wines, and a selection of food vendors. The festival takes place at Esther Short Park, in the heart of downtown Vancouver. For concert line-up and tickets, visit www.vancouverwinejazz.com.

Look for overnight hotel packages for these and other summer events here.

Pomeroy Farm Celebrating 100 Years!

The Pomeroy Farm in Yacolt, Washington, was been in existence since 1910 and this year marks the Farm’s 100 year anniversary. Today the Living History Farm depicts life in the 1920’s in the Lucia Valley of North Clark County. The farm includes an historic six-bedroom log house, barn, operating blacksmith shop and other various outbuildings that are open to the public during the first weekend of the month, and for special event weekends. The weekend of July 4 and 5, the Farm will feature historic steam logging demonstrations. Visitors can take a hay wagon ride and join period dressed interpreters in daily activities of rural farm life including churning butter, washing on the scrub board, feeding the chickens and pumping water for the livestock.

The Heathman Lodge Wins Award for Recycling

The Heathman Lodge was recently awarded with the Washington State Recycling Association’s 2010 Business Generator Recycler of the Year award. The Lodge, who has long been an advocate of sustainable practices, was selected for the award for it’s many programs that reduce waste, recycle, and use recycled products. For example, all guestrooms and administrative offices are now equipped with personal recycling bins; all unused food from Hudson's Bar and Grill, the hotel’s restaurant, and banquet operations are being composted; and the restaurant has switched to using recyclable “to go” containers and bio-straws.

Gougér Cellars Winery Takes Seven Medals

Gougér Cellars Winery, Vancouver’s first downtown winery, recently entered seven of their wines in the Spring Beer & Wine Fest in Portland, Oregon, and all seven wines took medals. Owner and winemaker Gary Gougér says his specialty is big bold red wines which are blends of petitie syrah, syrah, malbec, zinfandel, cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc, and others. Also available at Gougér are Dry Creek Olive Oils, which recently took 3 gold medals at the LA International Olive Oil Competition, aged balsamic vinegar from Modena, Italy, and Gougér’s own blend of coffee. For hours and location, visit www.gcwinery.com.

Portland Citysearch Declares Camas Hotel "Best Boutique Hotel"

Camas Hotel recently won the “Best Boutique Hotel Award" on Portland Citysearch. If you haven’t been to the hotel recently, they’ve renovated the hotel and it’s really cute!

Vancouver Hotels Rank Among World's Best

Three Vancouver hotels have been ranked among the world’s best hotels on this year’s Expedia Insiders’ Select™ list. Phoenix Inn Suites, Springhill Suites by Marriott, and The Heathman Lodge were formally recognized for consistently delivering excellent service, a great overall experience and a notable value. The 2010 Expedia Insiders’ Select™ list is compiled based on the more than one million Traveler Opinions hotel reviews collected by Expedia, combined with a value rating and the local market expertise of more than 400 Expedia employees in local markets worldwide.

Vancouver Area Vineyard Wins Silver Medal at the West Coast Wine Competition

Three Brothers Vineyard & Winery in Ridgefield, Washington won a Silver Medal in the West Coast Wine Competition in Rhonert Park, CA for their 2007 Syrah. This very large international competition includes wines from the US, Australia, New Zealand and others. Three Brothers Vineyard & Winery is located at 2411 NE 244th St., Ridgefield, WA. Tasting hours and summer concert schedules are available on their website www.threebrotherswinery.com.

Project Runway Winner from Vancouver

Last month, Vancouver’s own Seth Aaron Henderson took the grand prize on Season 7 of Lifetime TV’s fashion competition show “Project Runway”. Henderson won $100,000, along with other prizes, to continue work on his fashion collection. He said his first big splurge will be a vacation with his wife and two children. Congratulations, Seth!