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- #6: La Guelaguetza en Oregon, Hillsboro Art Walk, and Moulton Falls Trail
#6: La Guelaguetza en Oregon, Hillsboro Art Walk, and Moulton Falls Trail
A cheeky, charming local newsletter serving up Hillsboro, Oregon’s best events, eats, and everyday magic — one joyful issue at a time.
Amanda Marcott
August 06, 2025
Hey there Reader!
Our sponsors are more than ads — they’re part of the community story we’re telling. Let’s give a little love to this week’s featured biz.
This edition is sponsored by The Viable Source
☕ The First Sip
“Before you scroll… let the vibe steep.”
Hellooooooooooo Hillsboro!
Is there anything more “summer” than road trips with the fam? Recently, my husband and I drove my kiddo back to my hometown in Montana and every time I go, I forget how breathtaking the Lolo Pass is. Driving through the mountain range never ceases to amazing me, but during the summer is my favorite. The green is vibrant and the trees and brush are gorgeous and lush. The blue of the mountains seems unreal, and the hight of those mighty rock piles make you feel like a very tiny part of this planet. When it’s a clear blue sky with a few fluffy clouds just chillin’ and we’re listening to an audiobook going like a rocket (it ALWAYS feels that way 😳) down those switchbacks that curve around these majestic earth giants, it’s oddly peaceful. Even with my legs cramping, my stomach growling, and my tender hips from sitting in the car for 6 straight hours. I was never really a road trip person…I’m more of the “can we just GET there?!” person. So I always appreciate beautiful scenery when it finally shows up. Goodness knows flatlands can be beautiful in their own right…but it also feels like a Boomerang video on the same 10 square feet of flat land for hours more than “scenery” to me. I grew up in the mountains, what can I say.
 | But it wasn’t just the mountain pass that allowed me the peace of nature on this trip. My sister-in-law introduced me to floating the river, a thing you’d think this Montana girl had done before, but my family wasn’t really the “outdoors” type. So I had concocted this idea that it was one-step below white water rapids. And with my irrational fear of drowning, I shied away from it pretty much my whole life. To be fair, my brother’s favorite game was “dunk the dork.” He was 7 years older than me and thus often forgot I was both half his size, and also HALF HIS SIZE. So it’s not TOTALLY irrational. |
But my amazing, beautiful, and fun sister-in-law showed me the error of my ways! I joke about being a dragon and lounging in the sun all day, and I mostly do…but it’s not always that pleasant when it’s 90º outside with still air, and I live in the PNW. However! That ice cold, mountain fresh river combined with that 90º sun?! OHMYGAWD. We literally were on giant inner tubes - like snow tubes for Mt Hood - just calmly and lazily floating down the river for like 4 miles. Like that episode from Winnie the Pooh where they all just lay on their backs and float along the stream. All day. For hooooours! The cooler with snacks was on her paddle board, my sarong soaked in river water was a great cooling wrap when the sun got too hot, and I’m pretty sure my bones melded to the floatie I was lounging on because other than drinking water that was kept cool in the pool of water at my side…I don’t think I moved for three hours.
I even wore my bikini - and that is only put on while I’m in my backyard as I bask in the sun, or under my clothes to prevent a thing that’s a problem in the summer that most women know too well. 👀 (And ladies if you DIDN’t know bikini tops could double as undergarments to keep you more comfortable while you sweat everywhere during hot August existence, now you do. You’re welcome.) But this day, I wore it so my tummy could finally get sun too. Did I look a little too much like Pooh? Probably. No shame, and zero regerts.
Did I sleep? No. I’m a mom and the kid was with us. Had he not been I probably could have slept, honestly. BUT!!!! We left our phones in the truck so the utmost laziness was the goal! Mission accomplished. Yesssssss!
So here’s your nudge to find some clean, gentle rivers and grab yourself a quality inflatable tube, lash them together with some rope to make an island with friends, and be like Pooh…
Trust me, it’s a day trip with friends worth taking. You’re welcome!
In the meantime, our event list just keeps growing!!
So let’s get into it, shall we?!
📻 What’s Brewing (also known as: Events)
Your go-to list of local happenings, side quests, and a few excuses to put on pants.
Find the full forecast at Weather.com
🍻 Happy Hour Recap: The week in review, the weekend in sight.
Did you know there were a bunch of FREE live music performances throughout the week?? Yeah. Me either!!! These are definitely worth checking out!
Wednesday, August 6 @ 6 - 8:30 pm. Vibes, Wine, & Sunshine - Live Music with Gabe Ballard at Danu Wines
Wednesday, August 6 @ 7:00 pm - 9:30 pm. Live Music: Bluegrass Circle Jam hosted by Joe & The Wheel Monkeys at Pizzario
Thursday, August 7 @ 5:30 - 7:30 pm. Live music at 808 Grinds
Thursday, August 7 @ 7:00 pm - close. Live Music: with Mitch, Julia & Dany at Pizzario
Friday, August 8 @ 6 - 8:30 pm. Friday Night Bites & Music - Live Music with Brenda Andrus at Danu Wines
Friday, August 8 @ 6:00 - 9:00 pm. Live Music with Jason Meeks at Hillsboro Downtown Station
Friday, August 8 @ 7:00 pm - close. Live Music at Pizzario
Saturday, August 9 @ 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM. Live Music for a two year celebration at Boldy Fashionable
Saturday, August 9 @ 6:00 - 9:00 pm. Live Music with NW Rhythm at Hillsboro Downtown Station
Saturday, August 9 @ 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm. Live Music: “A Night of Jazz” with Laura Cunard & Brian Fisk at Pizzario
Sunday, August 10 @ 5pm - close. Live Music with Us & Them at Rock Creek Tavern
Tuesday, August 12 @ 7 pm - close. Live Music: Open Bluegrass Jam at Rock Creek Tavern (Bring your instrument or cheer others at this weekly community jam.)
Real quick! A big shoutout to our main sponsor this month!
One thing I can honestly say I am excited about is the website! We’ll have a space where organizers will be able to submit their events, a blog with in depth articles, interviews, and stories from your neighbors, and a directory of our favorite businesses! Thankfully, The Viable Source is building it out for me and I don’t even have to worry about all the SEO stuff because they do that too!! |  |
That means for every business that decides to support The Orenco Press, their website links will also get a little boost because of the amazing SEO, marketing, and web design work from the team members at The Viable Source. They are even setting up my website so that when The Orenco Press has grown, I can invite local contributors to write about their adventures in Hillsboro! (And a few other surprises coming this fall!) It has been a joy working with The Viable Source team. They are all very kind, patient, and thorough. If you’re looking for a beautiful, fast-loading, and professional website, some monthly marketing support, or need better Google ratings I highly recommend sending Jeremy a message for a consult!
Sponsored by The Viable Source
Support your friendly neighborhood newsletter! Are you a business interested in learning about how to sponsor or advertise in The Orenco Press? Send us an email at: [email protected] We’d love to work with you!
🎡 Out & About: Local fun for all ages.
Even more Park Pop-Ups Hosted by Hillsboro Parks & Recreation, this adorable family event is free for everyone! Park Pop-Ups Dogs are welcome at the parks, but please make sure they are leashed! (And remember to pick up after them!)
This week’s Park Pop-Ups will be:
Wednesday, August 6 at McKinny Park from 10:30 am - 12:00 pm
Features include: Rollin’ Rec, Mobile Makers, and Library on the Loose
Thursday, August 7 at Reed’s Crossing Park from 10:30 am - 12:00 pm
Features Include: Mobile Makers, and Library on the Loose
Get a aheads up for next week!
Wednesday, August 13 at Butternut Creek Park from 10:30 am - 12:00 pm
Features include: Rollin’ Rec, Wetlands on Wheels, and Library on the Loose
Thursday, August 14 at Bicentennial Park from 10:30 am - 12:00 pm
Features Include: Library on the Loose
🎪 This Week’s Main Event: Big crowds. Big vibes. Big fun.
Bring the kids, bring a camp chair, and definitely bring the sunscreen!
🎨 La Guelaguetza en Oregon
When: Saturday, August 9 from 11:00 am – 6:00 pm
Where: Shute Park, 10th & Maple Street
La Guelaguetza, is an annual indigenous cultural event that takes place in the city of Hillsboro. The celebration centers on traditional dancing in costume in groups, and includes parades complete with indigenous walking bands, native food, and statewide artisanal crafts such as prehispanic-style textiles. Each traje and dance usually has a local indigenous historical and cultural meaning. Although the celebration is now an important tourist attraction, it also retains deep cultural importance for the peoples of the state and is important for the continuing survival of these cultures.
Celebrate Oaxacan culture with live music, dance, traditional crafts, and authentic Mexican food in a vibrant, family‑friendly festival—completely free to attend.
Remember!
Bring refillable water bottles and snacks for the kids
Shade seating is limited—consider a blanket or folding chair
MAX Tuality station is nearby for convenient transit
🎨 Creative Block: What’s being made, played, and staged.
Straight from the Hillsboro Parks & Recreation website:
Let music carry you along Main Street and through The Avenues in Downtown Hillsboro as you discover an emerging musician, check out new works by a local artist, explore a new restaurant or boutique, or watch an artist demonstration.
Featuring:
• Local galleries and art spaces
• Live music
• Performances
• Food & Drink
• Shopping
• More!
Hillsboro Art Walk is a free, all-ages event.
 Borrowed from: Hillsboro Parks & Recreation - Hillsboro Art Walk | First Tuesday Live music, performances, and galleries in Downtown Hillsboro. Music and art mingle on Main Street and through the Cultural Arts District during the August Art Walk — enjoy live tunes, gallery openings, and artist demos while you explore downtown. Tuesday, August 5 from 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm |
🍴 Bite Club (Food & Drink)
Craveable bites, fork-worthy finds, and snack-sized updates from around town.
🚚 Food Truck Frenzy: Fresh, fast, and parked near you.
Have you ever been to The Chorizo Hub at the Foodlandia food pod? The one right on Century Blvd by Freddy’s on TV? It’s this editor’s FAVORITE place for carne asada street tacos! The owner is delightful, and I always get 4 of them with the crumbly cheese I can never remember the name of, and guac on top. He nicknamed them “Disney tacos” because I told him that’s how they served them when we went for our 15th Anniversary - and the Chorizo Hub’s tasted JUST LIKE THE DISNEY ONES!!!! (Dare I say even better!) Remember to use the lime they give you!! These are so good, and my son loves them too. I finally got the carne asada rice bowl with the add ons for my road trip and it did NOT disappoint!! |  The Chorizo Hub at Foodlandia |
🛋️ Meanwhile, in Real Life (Lifestyle)
The good stuff we’d tell you over coffee — grounded, practical, and actually helpful.
🛠️ Ask A Local Pro — “Tips and tricks to make life easier.”
Now that we are in the midst of our sunniest time of year, it is a great time to take care of some of the outdoor maintenance on our homes. You can always hire a local small business to handle these projects for you, but if you have the DIY spirit and are willing to spend some time in the heat, you can tackle these on a day off!
  | Power Washing Power washing is a quick way to make a big impact on your driveway, sidewalks and concrete patios! Most power washing equipment can be hooked up to your hose- and the machines are easy to use- just point and shoot. If you want to get really fancy, you can even put a stencil down on the cement and power wash over it and repeat for a fun design! If you don’t have a power washer, you can rent equipment from a big box store, or a local rental company like Bottens Equipment in Cornelius. You can also ask your local Buy Nothing Group- a neighbor may have a power washer they are willing to lend you for the day! Important safety tip- be sure to wear closed toe shoes! The spray may seem refreshing, but it’s definitely strong enough to injure toes in flip flops. If you find a project that is too big to tackle on your own, please feel free to reach out to us at Callahan Custom Construction and Design. You can email us at [email protected]. Rachel Callahan Sponsored by Callahan Construction and Design |
Support your friendly neighborhood newsletter! Are you a business interested in learning about how to sponsor or advertise in The Orenco Press? Send us an email at: [email protected] We’d love to work with you!
🚙 Worth the Trip: Not too far. Totally worth it.
Talk about a place that’s worth the trip! Moulton Falls Trail is a breathtaking walk that is easy, even with baby carriages and wheelchairs. It’s near Battleground, WA and with it’s clear water, multiple trails for kiddos and elders, and multiple bathrooms…it’s a great place to go for a day trip. And yes! The puppies are welcome too!
Accessibility: 10/10 (easy)
Length of Hike: 3 miles
There’s plenty more planned, and lots more to do so I can provide the bestest neighborhood newsletter this side of the tunnel! But for now I just want to say thanks. Thanks for joining my very long group chat in my brain, for all your future suggestions to share with others, and for hanging out all the way to the end.
I’ll see you next Wednesday, and I hope you have a GREAT week!
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