August First Friday goes to the birds

Nothing screams “fun in the sun” quite like a bright coral flamingo, so it’s appropriate that the August First Friday celebration in downtown Camas will focus on all things summer and flamingo.

“We added flamingos to our small town summer theme last year and people loved it,” said Carrie Schulstad, executive director of the Downtown Camas Association (DCA). “The games are especially fun and engaging at this First Friday and it’s a hoot to see how many people dress in flamingos.”

The “Small Town Summer Fun” First Friday will kick off at 5 p.m., Friday, Aug. 2, throughout downtown Camas. The downtown streets and participating businesses will be filled with flamingo-related activities and games.

“The art galleries also have amazing and diverse shows with a large number of featured artists throughout town,” Schulstad said. “Add in the live music, great shopping and dining, and playing together in downtown and you’ve got a perfect evening with family and friends.”

First Friday-goers can pick up a list of activities at Journey Church, 304 N.E. Fourth Ave., between 5 and 8 p.m., Aug. 2.

Planned activities include: A flamingo-themed game at participating businesses that allows participants to earn tickets for prizes; outdoor flamingo-themed games and crafts, including a flamingo “spin and win” game, a flamingo bean bag toss, flamingo ring toss and rubber flamingo water races; a family-friendly open mic night at Journey Church from 6 to 8 p.m., in which each performer will have 10 minutes to sing, play guitar or do a stand-up comedy routine; live music and a margarita garden at Nuestra Mesa restaurant at 228 N.E. Fourth Ave.; and two ribbon-cuttings — at Coventry Gardens, 602 N.E. Third Ave., at 5 p.m. and at Columbia Chiropractic, 428 N.E. Fourth Ave., at 5:30 p.m.

As always, the DCA-hosted First Friday event features several art gallery openings and artist receptions.

Attic Gallery, at 421 N.E. Cedar St., will feature artwork by partner-painters Sheary Clough Suiter and Nard Claar throughout the month of August. An artist reception at 5 p.m., Friday, Aug. 2, will showcase live demonstrations, with Suiter showing encaustic painting techniques and Claar showing mixed-media painting skills.

The Camas Gallery, at 408 N.E. Fourth Ave., will feature “steampunk” light fixtures made from industrial-inspired, vintage pipes, gears and dials throughout the month of August, with an artist reception from 5 to 8 p.m., Aug. 2.

Artwork from 16 members of the Northwest Oil Painters Guild will be featured at the Second Story Gallery above the Camas Public Library, at 625 N.E. Fourth Ave., throughout August and September. Musician Brad Jensen will play at an artists’ reception starting at 5 p.m., Friday, Aug. 2, at the gallery.

The two-month “Show Your Colors!” show at the Second Story Gallery will feature the work of Annie Knight, Ann Radley, Beth Kitselman, Beth Norwood, Bev Birdwell, Bob Fleischman, Cheryl Mathieson and Jackie Lukowski. Also participating are Jim Gola, Jim Toenjes, Lila Martin, Mike Swift, Nancy Knowles, Susan Hall and Wendy Davis.

The 16 artists will be available during the First Friday reception, and the artwork will be available for viewing that night as well as during regular library hours through Sept. 28: from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. For more information, visit secondsto rygallery.net.

Visitors to the flamingo-themed First Friday who wear their best flamingo-themed attire will get a free prize ticket. Tickets for raffle prizes also are earned for every $10 spent in participating businesses during the First Friday event.

For more information, visit downtowncamas.com/event/small-town-summer-fun-august-first-friday or facebook.com/camasfirstfriday.