Clark Public Utilities presents a weekend of free activities and demonstrations at the Clark County Event Center on April 29, 30 and May 1, 2011.

Home décor, arts and crafts, gourmet food, unique gift items, wines to taste, elegant holiday displays, Santa and a festive atmosphere are just some of what you’ll find at the ANNUAL HOLIDAY FOOD AND GIFT FESTIVALS. The fests will be held in Portland, Eugene, and Redmond.

The theme for the 10th Annual SolWest Renewable energy Fair is “Neighbors Powering Community.” The fair will include more than 50 free workshops on off-grid and grid-intertied renewable energy and sustainable living topics, as well as dozens of exhibitors who support energy independence and lifestyle self-reliance, including solar, wind and agricultural resources. Keynote speaker Greg Pahl, the author of several books including The Citizen-Powered Energy Handbook: Community Solutions to a Global Crisis, will provide an overview of the new and rapidly growing movement, Community Supported Energy. Alternative vehicle displays will highlight efficient transportation technology.

What better way to spend the day than on a farm with 40 acres of dahlias in bloom? The ANNUAL DAHLIA FESTIVAL also includes 400 indoor dahlia arrangements that range in size from that of a teacup to ones that reach from floor to ceiling. The festival is billed as the largest dahlia display by one grower in the U.S. Special events include flower-arranging and tuber-dividing demonstrations and talks on dahlia cultivation. Or you can kick back and enjoy the outdoors and food and refreshment booths.

If you’re planning another “stay”-cation for Labor Day Weekend, head over to the 12th annual art in the pearl in the North Park Blocks in Portland to listen to local musicians play music of their culture, which should scratch that wanderlust itch. The main events, of course, are the 125 artists—many, but not all, from the Pacific Northwest—who will man their booths filled with fine furniture, paintings, photographs, glasswork, sculpture, jewelry and more! Eat street food, watch 20 pairs of prominent artists craft art to be sold and let your kid get his or her hands dirty in the Education Pavilion. The event draws more than 75,000 people, so don’t forget to pack your patience.

Quality and diversity are what the ANNUAL SILVERTON FINE ARTS FESTIVAL is all about. The event features juried art from throughout the Pacific Northwest, live entertainment (including jazz, blues and cultural music groups), hands-on demonstrations, food court and kids’ art projects. To top everything off, the festival is held under sprawling oak trees alongside a creek, near the charming town of Silverton.

Talk about a winning combination: At the Music & Art in the Garden event at The Berry Botanic Garden, you can take in—and take home!—paintings that Oregon artists created. The art stroll, show and sale will take you through native plants, a rhododendron forest and a distinctive alpine rock garden. (Participating artists are donating a percentage of their sales to support the garden and its conservation, horticulture and education programs.