Firework laws may have recently changed, but you can still pop off your own sparkers at home. Get your firecrackers at Factory Fireworks Outlet , grill up some hot dogs, hamburgers and party it up with your friends. Not flame confident? Head to one of these fourth of July events.

July 3-6 Eugene Pro Rodeo: Celebrate the Fourth of July holiday weekend at the rodeo. There will be Pro Rodeo action, motorcycle jumps, food vendors and more. This event will kickoff at Oregon Horse Center located at 90751 Prairie Rd, Eugene, OR 97402. Tickets will be $16 and doors open at 4 p.m., performances start at 7:30 p.m.

July 4-6 Art and the Vineyard: If art, wine and music isn’t enough, the annual Freedom Festival Fireworks will light the Eugene sky on the evening of the fourth. This exciting weekend long festival will have an international food court, animals from Zany Zoo and a variety of fun activities to please every age group. This event will be hosted at Alton Baker Park located at 100 Day Island Rd. Tickets will be $9 and the event starts at 11 a.m.

July 3 PK Park Fireworks: This July 3 at 7 p.m. the Eugene Emeralds will take on the Everett AquaSox at PK Park. Immediately following the game the stadium will host a 25 minute “firework spectacular” to end the night with a bang.

July 4 Agrarian Ales Celebration: Check out lively string band Wild Hog in the Woods while enjoying some great summer views and brews. Check this event out at Agrarian Ales Brewing Company located at 31115 W Crossroads Ln. Admission is free and the event begins at 4 p.m.

Music festivals are moving to the mountains. For a picturesque festival experience with thousands fewer people than the average festival, consider buying a ticket to the 4 Peaks Music Festival, which is June 20-22 in Bend, Oregon.

The first thing you should know about 4 Peaks is that the name refers to the picturesque view, consisting of Broken Top Mountain and the Three Sisters, from the 20-acre Tumalo Ranch where the festival is located.

The festival began in 2007 when Stacy Totland and a few friends had a vision for such an event in Central Oregon. Gregg Morris, a Bend musician and writer said he is grateful for the bands the festival brings in because it fulfills Bend’s lack of national touring acts, which often require a trip to Portland for concertgoers. Morris, who also does public relations for the festival, has been attending since 2007.

“The thing I like the best is twofold: I can bring my family and it has the best selection of music in the area, from regional to local to national bands,” Morris said.

Morris also enjoys the camping experience on the ranch, which most of the attendees opt for.

What started as a backyard party turned into an annual event with national touring acts that have sold out for the past three years. To keep the festival’s intimate and friendly vibe, only 1,000 tickets are sold each year.

“It’s unique because of the location it’s in and the intimate nature of it. There are really gorgeous mountain views and it’s a small, family-friendly environment,” Totland said.

This year’s headliner is Railroad Earth, who derive its name from a Kerouac story and don’t define themselves with a single genre, but as “a string band, but an amplified string band with drums,” “Country & Eastern,” “A souped-up string band?” and rock and roll.

The lineup also lists Dumpstaphunk, The Pimps of Joytime, Carolyn Wonderland, Poor Man’s Whiskey, Hot Buttered Rum, Brothers Comatose, Moonalice, Polecat, White Water Ramble, Tracorum, The Congress, The Coffis Brothers, Eight Dollar Mountain, JED and Broken Down Guitars to create three days of jam, bluegrass, soulful, groovy, string-filled tunes.

While many music festivals are becoming more commercial, bringing bigger names and bigger crowds, Totland would like 4 Peaks to retain its spirit and community.

“I’d like to see it grow just a little bit, but keep it intimate,” said Totland.

Ashland-native bluegrass string quintet band Eight Dollar Mountain is looking forward to playing this year’s festival for the first time. Eight Dollar Mountain cites the father of bluegrass himself, Bill Monroe and famous bluegrass duo Flatt & Scruggs as its influences. With a banjo, dobro, mandolin, guitar and bass, the band infuses these traditional bluegrass roots with energetic harmonies and rhythms to keep crowds dancing.

“All these bands can reach that point of excitement and engagement from the audience,” dobro player Mark Lackey said. “We really get people moving and dancing.”

Tickets are $135 for the whole weekend. Saturday-only tickets cost $85. The ranch is located at 19449 Tumalo Reservoir Rd, Bend, Oregon, just a two hour drive from Eugene and a three hour drive from Portland. For more information, visit 4peaksmusic.com

In Eugene

It’s Eugene Beer Week. Did you miss the first part of the week because of the sobering realities of week ten? Have no fear, this weekend is when you can celebrate with beer.

FRIDAY

Plank Town’s Beer and Dance Party: Enjoy a dance party with beer and food deals. Plank Town (346 Main St., Springfield). 9 p.m. – 12 a.m.

Eugene Beer Love-In: Wear tie-dye to the Bier Stein and get $1 off your first drought. Bier Stein Bottleshop and Pub (1591 Willamette St.), all day.

Disc Golf Putting Competition: Enjoy special taps and disc golf. Hop Valley Tasting Room (990 W 1st Ave.). 5 – 7 p.m.

SATURDAY

Consumers Choice Best IPA/Hoppy Beer in the Eugene Area Blind Tasting: 10 breweries submit their best beer and the blindfolded public taste and vote. The Tap & Growler (207 E 5th Ave.), all day Friday and Saturday.

Viking Braggot’s Barrel Release Party: Be one of the first to try the new Cherry Stout Braggot, which has been aged in a Buffalo Trace bourbon barrel. Viking Braggot (520 Commercial St, unit F). 4-10 p.m.

SUNDAY

Rogue BBQ: Heal your hungover body with a Rogue Ales BBQ, which consists of Kobe burgers with cheese and bacon, coleslaw and house made chips. Plus, you can bring your dog. Rogue Ales (844 Olive St.), 3-7 p.m.

On Campus

June 6 Spring Dance Loft: Don’t miss out on the final dance show of the year, which showcases undergraduate creativity and talent. Dougherty Dance Theater (third floor, Gerlinger Annex), tickets $3 for students, $5 general admission, 8 p.m.

Off Campus

June 6 Brit Pink Floyd: The World’s Greatest Pink Floyd Show- Discovery: Unwind from week 10 by immersing yourself in an epic three-hour Pink Floyd tribute by Brit Floyd, featuring songs from the ’60s through the ’90s, the classic light show and video animation. Silva Concert Hall, The Hult Center (7th Ave. and Willamette St.), $39-45, 8 p.m.

June 7 Divisi End of the Year Show: Check out UO’s female a cappella group Divisi at their final show of the year. Eugene Central Presbyterian Church (555 E 15th Ave.), free admission, 7 p.m.

June 7 In My Life: A Musical Theater Tribute to the Beatles: Continue the weekend of tributes with this theatrical musical biography production, which tells the story of the Beatles through pivotal moments in the band’s career. McDonald Theater (1010 Willamette St.), tickets $25-30, 8 p.m.

June 7 Corridor Car Show & Carnival: Classic cars, carnival games and food? What better way to spend a Saturday? Check out this 5th annual event which benefits Corridor Elementary School. 250 Silver Lane (right next to North Eugene High School), free admission, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

In Portland

June 6-8  The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged): Save hundreds of hours by seeing this three-person comedy that touches on all 37 of Shakespeare’s works. Post5 Theatre at Milepost 5 (850 NE 181st Ave.), $15, 7:30 p.m.

June 6 The 3rd Annual Festival of Stories: Check out a night of frustrating, funny and true stories, told by members of Portland Storytellers’ Guild. Hipbone Studio (1847 Burnside St. #104), $12 in advance, $15 at the door, 8 – 10:30 p.m.

June 6 This Charming Band, For the Masses, Love Vigilante: Like the Smiths, Depeche Mode and New Order? Check out a night of tribute bands. Wonder Ballroom (128 NE Russell St.), 21 and over, tickets $12, 9 p.m.

June 7 JAG- Dance Performance: See the work of Body Vox Dance Studio’s Junior Artist Generators, an elite training program. Body Vox (1201 NW 17th Ave.), tickets $20, 4 and 7 p.m.

June 8 Current Swell, Those Willows: Doug Fir Lounge (830 E Burnside St.), 21 and over, tickets $10, 9 p.m.

On June 1, 1975 Steven Spielberg unleashed two monsters to audiences. The first was a giant man-eating shark accompanied by the sound of two repeating notes. The second was the summer blockbuster.

Since that steamy summer when Spielberg’s thriller Jaws sold over 128 million tickets, several summer flicks have profited in what all media outlets refer to as the summer blockbuster: big budget, big name ordeals that offer a place for people to escape the heat.

The summer blockbuster brought us Star Wars: The Phantom Menace (1999) and The Dark Knight Rises (2012). Unfortunately, the summer months have also brought us Spiderman 3 (2007), Catwoman (2004) and Transformers: Dark of the Moon (2011). This summer there seems to be a lot more blockbusts than blockbusters. In an effort to make the most out of Summer 2014, these are some films we think you should skip:

Transformers: Age of Extinction: Unfortunately, the title of this film does not refer to the franchise itself. The Transformers series hasn’t been good since about 20 minutes into the first film when Shia LeBouf’s Camaro turns into Bumblebee. This installment features an entirely new cast led by Mark Whalberg, who plays a mechanic. If that’s not good enough, also joining the cast are fire-breathing dinosaurs. If you’re looking for robot allegory, you’re probably better off watching Wall-E again. Oh and don’t worry, it’s in 3-D. Opens June 27.

Planes: Fire and Rescue: Yes, Walt Disney Studios is (buzz) light-years away from its golden age of animated films. It’s the less talked-about part of the human condition: every generation has their classics and this will not be one of ours. Walt Disney Studio’s magic comes from giving life to mundane objects, but planes might just be far too large and irrelevant to touch us in the same way A Bug’s Life did. Unless you’re being paid to see it as a babysitting perk, skip this Cars spinoff. And, surprise, it’s in 3-D. Opens July 18.

Hercules: In January, a Hercules film titled The Legend of Hercules was released, scoring an impressively low 3 percent on Rotten Tomatoes. Perhaps the summer version will surpass that dismal rating, but with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson starring, this film looks simply like 300 meets Pumping Iron, instead of an artful, interesting or accurate depiction of the Greek mythology. We also shouldn’t expect too much from screenwriter Evan Spiliotopoulos, whose credits include gems such as The Lion King 1 and 1/2 and Cinderella 3: A Twist in Time. Spoiler alert: it’s in 3-D. Opens July 25.

The Expendables 3:  According to IMDB, there are only three named women in the entire film. Its patriarchal nature fits well with the rest of the summer blockbuster lineup, which includes only one featured film directed by a woman. At the rate Hollywood is popping these out, we can probably expect an Expendables 27 starring Mark Whalberg, Dwayne Johnson and the other male stars of this summer’s inevitable blockbusters. Opens August 14.

In Eugene

This Thursday, University Theater will open its final show of the season, an adaptation of the classic Lewis Carroll story, Alice’s Adventures In Wonderland. The show will run May 29, 30, 31, June 5, 6, 7 at 8 p.m. and June 8 at 2 p.m., giving plenty of opportunities to check out this wacky adventure story.

The story of Alice in Wonderland has managed to stay relevant through its questionable drug references, Urban Outfitters products and electronic remixes. The images of little blonde-haired Alice and her crew of crazy characters is thought-provoking and unforgettable. However, the story’s 1865 publication year makes certain aspects of the story a bit outdated. Thankfully, University of Oregon theatre arts professor and Alice director La Donna Forsgren adapted the play for a more contemporary audience.

In University Theater’s Alice’s Adventures In Wonderland, Alice is still a feisty 8-year-old, but one who learns about Twilight and hip hop. Forsgren artfully crafts modern references while staying true to the lessons of the original story. The large multi-talented cast consists of UO students who will be touring the show to Oregon schools in September.

Check out Alice’s Adventures In Wonderland in the Hope Theatre, part of the Robinson Theatre Complex just through Dad’s Gate (1231 University of Oregon). Tickets are free for students. Arrive at the theatre half an hour before the show with a student ID. Tickets are $14 general admission. The show is for all ages.

Off Campus

May 30 UO Jazz Combos: Catch jazz musicians from UO’s School of Music perform downtown. The Jazz Station (124 W. Broadway St.), free admission, 5:30 p.m.

May 30 Twilight Tastings: Enjoy wine tastings paired with artisan cheeses while enjoying live music and gorgeous Oregon views. Sweet Cheeks Winery (27007 Briggs Hill Rd.), free admission, 21 and over, 6 – 9 p.m.

May 30-31 Into The Woods: Enjoy the whimsical Stephen Sondheim musical about fairy tales gone awry. Actors Cabaret (996 Willamette St.), tickets $16-27, 7:30 p.m.

May 31 Children Of The Ken Eugene Battle: Check out kendamas, a Japanese toy that has become a trend in this tournament, hosted by Oregon’s own kendama team. Monroe City Park (10th and Monroe St.), free admission, 1 p.m.

May 30 Just The Tip: A Str8 Disco House Party: Called “A music project. A dance experiment,” this free dance party should provide a wild Friday night. Global Scholars Hall, Rm. 23, free admission, 7:30 – 10:30 p.m.

In Portland

May 30, June 1 Buried Child: Check out this Pulitzer prize-winning Sam Shepard 1979 play about the break down of the nuclear family. Profile Theatre (1515 SW Morrison ), tickets $15 for students, Friday 7:30 p.m., Sunday 2 p.m.

May 30 Time Capsule Opening: In 1984, Portland residents placed clothes, art and other items into a time capsule, which was buried in the SE corner of Pioneer Courthouse Square. Attend the unveiling, complete with ’80s music, coffee and treats. Pioneer Courthouse Square (701 SW 6th Ave.), free admission, 10:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.

May 30 – June 1 Experimental Film Festival: Check out a weekend of experimental films and art installations in Portland’s own strange festival. Clinton Street Theater (2522 SE Clinton St.), tickets $7-18, Friday 6 – 10 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 1 – 10 p.m., see site for details.

May 31 “Come As You Are”- 90s Dance Flashback: Get your groove on to Nirvana, the Beastie Boys and more with the best music videos of the 90s projected on giant screens. Dressing up is encouraged. Crystal Ballroom (1332 W. Burnside St.), tickets $6 at the door, 21 and over, 9 p.m.

May 31 Little Hurricane: Enjoy a night of Americana blues-rock with this San Diego-based duo. Wonder Ballroom (128 NE Russell St.), tickets $13-15, 8 p.m.

The David Minor Theater located on 5th Avenue, tucked next to the audacious Fifth Street Market and across the street from the Granary, serving not only as a haven for film buffs and people who like to drink beer while watching movies, but also as a living breathing memorial for Eugene resident David Minor, who passed away in 2008, at the age of 27.

“He lives through these walls because we knew him very well. The overall atmosphere is based on our group of friends,” said theater owner Josh Goldfarb, who started the theater after Minor passed away.

Although Goldfarb had no experience in the movie theater businesses, he created a theater, that’s thriving six years later.

“We learned as we went. It was organic,” Goldfarb said.

The space was originally a stereo store that Goldfarb worked at with his father. Goldfarb had always kicked around the idea of opening a movie theater, especially one where he and his friends wouldn’t have to sneak beer into.

Hence the motto: “No longer sneaking beers into the theater since 2008.”

The funky coral and teal walls mixed with the fading red carpet offers an intimate laid-back setting, where undoubtedly, many have made a rainy day good. Currently, David Minor has a 50-seat and a 15-seat theater, both outfitted with comfortable couches.

“The best part is the atmosphere for me,” said Jason Randall, who manages the theater’s website and designs posters, in addition to working at the theater itself. “It’s laid back and people like to have a good time.”

Randall also enjoys watching people chat in the lobby after the films, a spacious area with white leather couches. When the two theaters sell out, this space is used as a third theater, complete with surround sound.

“You can drink beer inside, which is similar to European cinemas, and it’s very cozy and has a family atmosphere,” said Felix Reidinger, a German exchange student who attended UO last year.

The David Minor has everything a small theater should have that larger companies simply can’t offer. TXT-A-BEER allows theatergoers to text the concession area what kind of beer they would like and then have it brought to them. If guests have to get up to use the restroom, a live feed of the film is playing in the lobby. Guests can also order food from the Granary, Lucky Noodle and Cornucopia to enjoy while watching a film.

“It made sense to utilize restaurants,” said Goldfarb. People get a sneak peek of the food and it creates a neighborhood community.”

Known for catering to ages 21 and over, the theater has recently opened their first two shows of each day to minors. Tickets are reasonably priced at $6 each. Sunday shows are $2, Tuesday is two for $1, all matinees are $3 and students and seniors get a $1 off.

“Rather than watching on your laptop or iPad, why not use our couches and giant screen?” said Goldfarb with a laugh.

This coming Friday, a show featuring the work of 62 seniors in the University of Oregon’s art department will take the place of the usually architecturally filled Lawrence Hall with their year-end cumulative projects.

The second annual Spring Storm Senior Art Show will take place from 5 – 8 p.m. The program includes ceramics, sculpture, painting, digital arts, fibers and photography. Here are three artists whose work will go on display:

Lara Higgins

“My project is a continuation of a personal narrative that I’ve been investigating for the last few months. I’ve been working with the convergence of bodily forms, specifically hair and teeth, with mundane objects such as jars and even kimchi as a way to explore identity and convey potentially traumatic experiences of growing up. The result, I’m hoping, will be something that is both intriguing and somewhat repulsive to the viewer. That tension is something that I’ve been interested in.

“I decided to take a risk and apply to the UO’s BFA program, which is an additional year of rigorous art development. If I survive that, I’m definitely looking to get my MFA — after that, I’m keeping it open and hopefully will find somewhere I’m needed.”

Matt Ellis

“My project is called Treasure Beach Salon. The images were taken inside a beauty salon in a small southwestern Jamaican town. I was in the area on a spring break service trip and had the opportunity to spend an afternoon in the beauty shop. I was attracted at first by the bright colors of the space and then remained for hours because of the intimate conversations and welcoming personalities of the stylists.

“I have enjoyed the selection of classes more than anything. I have had access to such amazing facilities, and the faculty ensure students can pursue any artistic processes or subject matter they find interesting. I have had such freedom in my classes to explore and develop my practice as well as develop a meaningful artistic voice backed by the technical skills to bring complex projects to fruition.”

Pace Taylor

“My project is titled ‘The Things We Hold On To: A Compendium of Queer Ephemera,’ and it catalogs and captures a variety of queer ephemera from different pockets of the Eugene community and aims to honor and give space to everyone’s authentic self. This project is very much about visibility of queer culture for the wider population that doesn’t experience it daily, but is more so about recording my own history as a queer transman and the queer communities around me. It’s about honoring and appreciating the people behind the stereotypes.

“Personally speaking, as a queer individual, I am constantly seeking out threads of representation in mass media. I look for people who look like me and live like me and I rarely find that kind of visibility. That is why I was inspired to create a project that shows the little things that people collect and keep around — the small artifacts that remind us that there are others like us out there.”

In Eugene

Trudy Bauchery Variety Show:  Sam Bond’s Garage (407 Blair Blvd.), 21 and over, tickets $8, 9:30 p.m.

Off Campus

May 23 COLLEKTIV: Check out this monthy dance party, featuring house, dubstep and trap music. This month’s performers include Disco Lemonade, Rufio, Jackson Myron, KOKOON and Minesweepa + Grinch. Cozmic Pizza (199 W 8th Ave.), tickets $7 in advance, $10 at the door, 9 p.m. – 2 a.m.

May 23-24 Clybourne Park: Don’t miss the closing weekend of this sharp Pulitzer Prize winning comedy about race and gentrification, inspired by A Raisin in the Sun. Oregon Contemporary Theater (194 W Broadway St.), tickets $15 for students, 7:30 p.m.

May 24 Blues, Brews and BBQ Festival: Enjoy a 7-band blues lineup, food vendors (including BBQ) and of course, beer. Cornerstone Art Studios (1002 W 2nd Ave.), $15, 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.

May 24 Eugene Kennel Club Agility Trials: Wake up early and watch well-trained dogs strut their stuff. Lane Events Center (796 W 13th Ave.), free admission, 6 a.m. – 6 p.m.

May 25 Dizzy Wright, Mark Battles, Jay Terriani, Derek Luh: Spice up your Sunday night and check out these rap artists in their State of Mind Tour. WOW Hall (291 W 8th Ave.), $15, 7:45 p.m.

In Portland

May 23-25 Portland Rose Festival: Get the quintessential Portland experience with its official festival, which consists of rides, games, food, beer and live music, all right on the waterfront. Tom McCall Waterfront Park (1020 SW Naito Pkwy.), tickets $5 in advance, $7 at the fair, Friday 5 – 11 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.

May 23 Tyler, the Creator: See the controversial 23-year-old rapper cover all topics from the devil to Bruno Mars before he heads to Sasquatch. Roseland Theater (8 NW 6th Ave.), tickets $25, 8 p.m.

May 23-25 Being Ginger: Don’t miss this critically-acclaimed film’s Portland premiere from director Scott P. Harris about his journey and struggles as a red head and about the struggles everyone faces from being different in some way. Clinton Street Theater (2522 SE Clinton St.), tickets $4 for students, $6 general admission, Friday at 4 p.m., Saturday at 2:30 p.m. and Sunday at 7 p.m.

May 24 The Ghost of a Saber Tooth Tiger: Check out John and Yoko’s son Sean Lennon and his girlfriend in their psychedelic rock Middle Eastern fusion band. British psychedelic band Syd Arthur opens. Mississippi Studios (3939 N Mississippi), tickets $13, 21 and over, 9 p.m.

May 24 Mixology: Drink and improvisation, plus sketch and standup comedy. Curious Comedy Theater (5225 NE Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.), tickest $5, 10 p.m.

The 2014 Billboard Music Awards brought a Michael Jackson hologram and a lot of fake tans. The show was held at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, which may help to explain both of those things.

This year marks the 22nd Billboard Music Awards, which ran 1989 to 2007 and then started again in 2011 after a four-year hiatus. Based on “key fan interactions,” the awards honor the best pop, rock and country music and artists of the year.

Jennifer Lopez and Pitbull opened the show with an energizing multicultural flag-twirling extravaganza that made me Google how old J Lo is (44!).

Ludacris hosted the show and either out of musical inclination or nerves, spoke in threes during his opening monologue. “Yeah yeah yeah,” “wait wait wait,” and “let’s get real real real excited.” He hosted smoothly and uneventfully through the rest of the show, which relies on musical performances as its main entertainment.

Performances spanned from OneRepublic to Lorde to Luke Bryan.

OneRepublic’s lead singer Ryan Tedder sounded like he lost his voice, much like the band has lost their relevancy. A newcomer boy band called 5 Seconds of Summer, who looked like One Direction but wore vaguely punk-styled clothing, won for worst lyrics with: “She looks so perfect standing there in my American Apparel underwear.”

One of the stranger moments of the night was Michael Jackson hologram performance. The extremely life-like hologram performed next to dancers, making the audience erupt in both cheers and tears. Hologram technology may be one of those “with great power comes great responsibility” things and Jackson could have been honored in a better way.

The strangest moment of the night belonged to Miley Cyrus (big surprise), who’s performance of “her favorite Beatle’s song” was advertised the entire night. After incorrectly guessing “Long and Winding Road” or “Blackbird,” the screen showed a video of Miley performing “Lucy In The Sky with Diamonds” in Manchester. Sporting red MGMT style paint on her face, sparkles and a cape that appeared to be made of gold tinsel, Miley looked like she was taking the song to heart and did some acid. Who gave her permission to cover The Beatles? Maybe Paul McCartney.

Cyrus went on to win the Top Streaming Artist award because this is 2014.

Lorde gave an emotional performance of “Tennis Court,” wearing her signature all black under a blue light and several disco balls. She also took home the Best Newcomer and Top Rock Song awards for “Royals.”

Imagine Dragons performed the lively rock show they’ve perfected through the music award show circuit, showing off their many awards, which include Top Hot 100 Artist, Top Duo/Group and Top Rock Artist.

Performances from Iggy Azalea, Ariana Grande, Ricky Martin, John Legend and Jason DeRulo with Snoop Dogg also rocked the night.

I will never get the Katy Perry hype, which managed to beat out Lorde and Beyoncé for Best Female Artist. Perry was not at the show, but her performance from her tour, which is currently in Scotland, was streamed. With her wide expressions, bizarre rotating birthday cake stage and tons of balloons, the performance just looked like a children’s show gone very wrong.

Jennifer Lopez became the first woman ever to receive the Icon Award for her talent, fashion and humanitarian efforts. She performed “First Love” chock full of the talent of a woman with a 20 year successful career.

No ticket? No boat? No money? No problem.

Although plenty of your friends will be soaking up sun at Shasta Lake or the Sasquatch Music Festival, there are several Memorial Day weekend alternatives to keep you busy.

Camp at the Gorge

A slight alternative, but an increasingly popular one to paying for a Sasquatch ticket, is simply going up to camp on the grounds without actually entering the Gorge Amphitheater. Enjoy three days of camping while very distantly hearing the festival’s music. During the day, the grounds are sparse and relaxed. At night, people party. Being 10 miles away from Quincy, Washington — which has a population of only 7,000 — the Gorge is the perfect place to stargaze.

Memorial Day Weekend in wine country 

There are 11,053 acres of Pinot Noir in the Willamette Valley. Oregon offers no better weekend to wine taste than this coming Memorial Day weekend, when over 150 Willamette Valley wineries will host special tasting events. With $5 to $40 tastings, wineries from the entire valley will be open 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., hosting events the entire weekend.

Eugene

Eugene is basically vacated come the third weekend in May.

“Float the river. Pick a hot day, get a $5 tube from Hirons and have a good time,” said senior Siân Kavanagh, who is planning on staying in Eugene over the break. “The new skate park is pretty cool because it’s the country’s biggest covered skate park.”

Camp at Smith Rock

Located just 2 1/2 hours from Eugene, this picturesque spot is perfect for rock climbing, hiking or camping. The Smith Rock State Park consists of a river canyon next to very large rocks. With over 651 acres and no major town for 15 miles, Smith Rock is the perfect place to get away from Eugene, as well as your increasingly Sasquatch/Shasta-saturated Intsagram feed.

“The night sky was so clear, we could see all the stars and crazy activity going on up there,” said sophomore Megan Brehm, who went to Smith Rock earlier this month. “It’s definitely the place to go climbing in Oregon, and I hope I make it back there soon to climb and just be apart of their really amazing community.”

Portland

The Rose Festival: The Oregon Grape is Oregon’s official state flower, but roses belong to Portland. The over 100-year festival was named Portland’s Official Festival in 2010. The Festival includes several events, including a half marathon, concerts put on by Portland’s own 101.9 KINK radio station and a floral parade. The most iconic image of the festival is CityFair, which takes place on the Waterfront and features music, food, carnival games, beer and rides. Plus, admission is only $5.

Seattle

Northwest Folklife Festival: Check out the Seattle’s 43rd Annual Folklife Festival, a celebration of music, art and dance that Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein would surely be all over. The event takes place at Seattle Center in the heart of downtown.

“The program has over 5,000 performers from over 65 NW regions. It’s the largest arts and culture festival in the country, and the largest festival that charges no admission,” said Michelle Sanders Leyva, the festival’s media representative.

Spend that money otherwise used on a ticket to explore the city of Seattle.