Looking for something to do this weekend between meetings and programs?  Need to buy a few gifts to take home to friends, family or co-workers?  Here are a few suggestions:

Portland Saturday Market (and Sunday too):  Portland Saturday Market is the largest arts and crafts market in continuous operation in the United States. It is held every Saturday and Sunday from March through Christmas Eve at SW Ankeny + Naito Parkway (on the MAX line).  The Market has over 350 vendors. All items sold at the Saturday Market are required to be handmade by the person selling it, and a product review committee of members juries each new item against a high standard of quality.  Hours: Saturday 10am-5pm and Sunday 11:30am – 4pm.

Museum of Contemporary Craft presents its biggest event of the year, Craft PDX: A Block Party, a free outdoor festival. This marks the festival’s second annual celebration and honors the Museum’s first year in its Pearl District location.  Sunday, July 13, 11am – 6pm.

The Portland Pen Show:  The Fifth Annual Portland Pen Show will be held Saturday and Sunday, July 12-13 at the Embassy Suites Hotel in downtown Portland. The show will feature the buying, selling trading, repairing, appraising, and using of a wide variety of “writing instruments.” These include fountain pens, roller balls, ballpoints, pens, dip pens, and whatever else falls under the general category along with an inventive range of all managed accessories and services.

Crafty Wonderland: Forget everything you think of when you hear the phrase “arts and crafts” and get on over to Crafty Wonderland, Portland’s ultra-hip handmade extravaganza. Sunday July 13, 11am-4pm. Doug Fir Lounge, 830 E. Burnside.  While you’re at the Doug Fir, wander outside and enjoy  “Pickin’ on Sundays”: a free and fancy summertime jamboree on the patio, 3pm – 7pm.

Check the What’s Happening section of Portland weekly newspaper Willamette Week or the A&E section of the Oregonian for more information about music, theater, art and other events taking place while you’re visiting Portland.

See you soon!