Memorial Day, and Memorial Day Weekend, is often a time for Portlanders to get out of the city and head to the coast or towns like Hood River and Bend. But for those who would rather spend time in Portland or the immediate surrounding areas, there are a few opportunities for Memorial Day activities. Here are our picks for celebrating the day of remembrance for those who have fallen. Where will you be on Monday, May 28? Let us know on our Facebook or Twitter.  

 

Portland’s Southern oyster bar, EaT, is driving guests out to the coast for a day of oysters, picnicking, and drinks. The Portland Oyster Bus leaves from EaT at 9 a.m. sharp, and heads to Chelsea Farms just outside of Olympia, WA for a farm tour and picnic grill. Afterwards, the bus heads back into town. During the ride and lunch, guests will be able to enjoy beers from Lompoc, Trumer Pils, and Wayfinder Brewing, as well as some special wines from Argyle. Tickets are $100, and are available by calling the restaurant. (3808 N. Williams Ave.; 503-281-1222)

 

Hazelfern Cellars will be opening its barn doors on Saturday and Sunday of Memorial Day weekend from 11 AM to 4 PM to celebrate its second anniversary. The Laing family will be featuring magnums of a brand new 2017 rosé of Pinot noir, along with their new 2016 chardonnay and Pinot noir releases. In addition to tastings, Chef Dustin Joseph will be on-site pairing bites with the new Hazelfern releases and the patio will be open with lawn games and music. The Memorial Day Weekend celebration is $20 per person for all food and drink. (4008 NE Zimri Dr, Newberg, OR 97132; 503-928-1893)

 

Maysara Winery will be celebrating Memorial Day Weekend with bites, yard games and a varied-vintage flight of estate-made wines that showcase the family's biodynamic winemaking process. Tasting room hours are from 11 AM to 5 PM on Saturday, Sunday and Monday (tastings only on Monday). Tickets are $20 and come with a tasting flight and Maysara wine glass. (15765 Southwest Muddy Valley Road, McMinnville, OR 97128; 503-843-1234)

 

Rally Pizza, Vancouver’s family-friendly restaurant specializing in Neapolitan style pizzas, roasted vegetables, and frozen custard, will be open during its regular hours of 11 AM to 9 PM, and will have all-day happy hour specials. There will also be a drawing for wine and a t-shirt which will be free to enter on Memorial Day only. (8070 E Mill Plain Blvd., Vancouver, WA 98664; 360-524-9000)

 

Southeast Wine Collective, a collective of urban wineries with an attached wine bar, is throwing its annual Vinlandia celebration on Saturday, May 26 from 3 to 6 PM. The party is a tasting for the wineries that inhabit the warehouse space, with over fifteen samples of wine being poured, including SEWC’s own Division Winemaking Company. For food, tacos will be available for purchase from Taco Pedaler. Tickets are $15 ahead of time and $20 at the door (though it often sells out), and include tastes from all the wines, plus discounts on bottles of wine for home. (2425 SE 35th Pl.; 503-208-2061)

 

Departure
The Modern Asian rooftop bar and restaurant at the Nines Hotel is hosting a “Farm to Shaker” with guest bartenders from Urban Farmer, Palomar, Tusk, Multnomah Whisky Library, and Les Caves mixing up some cocktails made with local ingredients. There will be no cover, and the first drink per person is complimentary. The event goes from 5 to 7 PM, after which the bartenders will hang around to chat with guests. (525 SW Morrison St.; 503-802-5370)

 

Shipwreck at St. Jack

One of Portland’s most popular pop-up programs, the tropical cocktail themed Shipwreck, is coming to St. Jack, one of Portland’s most popular French inspired restaurants. The Shipwreck crew will be collaborating with St. Jack’s bar on a variety of exciting cocktails, like a spicy piña colada made with ancho reyes, pineapple rum, mezcal, coffee, cream, pineapple, coconut, and salt. Chef Aaron Barnett will be throwing down some treats of his own, like pineapple fried rice, Montreal-spiced Oregon bay shrimp, and chowder fries with clam strips. The party runs from 5 to 10 PM, and is all à la carte. (1610 NW 23rd Ave.; 503-360-1281)

Photo via Flickr user Ian Sane