Five Things to Do in and Around Portland This Weekend

The other day NASA announced some 1,300 more planets had been found in just one corner of one galaxy, vastly increasing the chances that we are not alone in the Universe. This weekend, a lot of people who have had that feeling for a long time will be getting together for the 17th annual McMenamins UFO Festival. (Go to ufofest.com for more info).

The weather’s getting nicer which means it’s time for the return of Sunday Parkways, Portland’s way to open the streets and encourage people to get to know each other. Seven miles of East side streets will be closed to cars on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.. Check out portlandsunwayparkways.org for more information.

What’s better than puppies? The Oregon Humane Society’s annual Doggie Dash is Saturday at Tom McCall Waterfront Park. It’s their 29th year and the street will be closed to cars and filled with dogs, live music, contests, and more. http://www.oregonhumane.org/doggiedash/

Pardon me, ma’am… Is that the Chattanooga Choo-choo? Well, no. But Saturday is Portland Train Day. Head on over to the Oregon Rail Heritage Center on SE Water Avenue. Admission is free but train rides will cost. Head to orhf.org for more information,

Help raise money to fight mental illness while at the same time raising awareness. The annual NAMI Walks organized by the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Sunday 1 p.m. on the Eastlake Esplanade. namiwalks.org for more information.