Get Out There! 4 Great September Events

It’s September. The kids are back in school. The sweaters are coming out. Where did summer go? It was far too short this year.

But the fun continues. There are lots of September events to get you out of the house. Here are four fine choices involving hot (but slow) rods, wine and shopping, living history by candlelight, and tours of art studios.

I have heard from a VERY credible source that the 10th Annual Slow Drag on September 10 “is a hoot.” Imagine 1400 old cars in Ilwaco! My source tells me “The old cars line up along Howerton Way. The drivers have to start their vehicle, get to the starting line, then turn off the car and coast all the way to the finish line (about 200 yards.) Most of them chug to a standstill and don’t make it. The crowd loves to cheer them on!”

Slow drag in Ilwaco

This is followed by the Rod Run to the End of the World in Ocean Park on September 11 and 12. Vintage car lovers, start your engines.

One of my favorite Vancouver events is the Uptown Village Sip & Stroll. You can wander through the Vancouver shops on upper Main, tasting fine wines as you go. Beers will be featured this year, too.

Sip & Stroll will be held on September 18 from 4 pm to 8:30 pm. Cost is only $25 (including a glass and shopping discounts) and proceeds will go to the Hough Foundation. A $5 ticket is available for non-alcoholic beverages. Starting point is at Cellar 55. Details and tickets here.

Fort Vancouver offers wonderful events year-round. One of the best is the Campfires and Candlelight Tour, a tour of the Fort at night including re-enactments, period costumes and soldiers in uniform from past decades. It’s a photogenic event and great for all ages.

Sewing at Campfires and Candlelight in 2009

The baker making hardtack

The event is September 18, from 3 to 10 pm. Where else can you tour an historic landmark by candlelight. Admission charges and other info available at the Fort Vancouver Web site.

Finally, ARTrails of Southwest Washington is happening on two weekends – September 18-19 and September 25-26. You can wander through the countryside around Chehalis and Centralia visiting artists studios. Sounds blissful to me!

The tour opens with a Gala Reception on Friday, September 17 from 4 to 8 pm at the Exhibition Gallery in downtown Centralia’s Historic Train Depot (210 Railway Avenue). Studio guides will be available then, as well as rest of the weekends. Artwork includes paintings, sculpture, glass, jewelry, pottery, mixed media, fiber art, carved wood, basketry, enameling, collage, and much more. Nearly 60 artists will be participating. You can see samples of their stunning artwork here. No admission fee!

Those are only a few of the events coming up. Looking for more ideas? Check out the Event Calendar of the Vancouver USA Regional Tourism Office. The rains will be starting soon enough. Go enjoy September!