“During the summer, MHCC really focuses in on the community with its events,” said Stephanie Obotette, MHCC Events Coordinator. “We offer a taste of community education at the Strawberry Short Course, fun under the sun at the Aquatic Center, track and field competitions and so much more. Our nature trails and pond provide the perfect spot for a weekend or afternoon getaway with the whole family, and Mt. Hood is home to the Gresham GreyWolves baseball team and the Gresham Saturday Market during the summer. So there is a lot to do on campus and plenty of ways to enjoy the sunshine and experience some family fun here.”

Gresham Saturday Market at MHCC

Nothing says summer like fresh fruits and vegetables. Fortunately, the Gresham Saturday Market began its second season at the MHCC Gresham campus on April 15. Occurring every Saturday from mid-April through the end of September in parking lot “W”, this popular event featured more than 120 local vendors and organizations in 2016 and attracted hundreds of buyers and browsers each weekend. Vendors run the gamut and offer everything from farm-fresh fruit, vegetables and flowers to artisan foods, homemade crafts and fine art. And not only does Gresham Saturday Market at MHCC provide a unique, intimate setting for smaller, local vendors to sell their wares, it features a family friendly atmosphere with musical performances every weekend. For more information on the Market, including a list of 2017 vendors, visit GreshamSaturdayMarket.com.

Strawberry Short Course Festival

Few events at MHCC have a more storied past than the Strawberry Short Course Festival, a celebration of all things strawberries and a fun educational event that the college first held in 1980. Nearly four decades on, Strawberry Short Course still offers a family friendly atmosphere with an assortment of games, entertainment and booths. The event draws its name from the free short classes it features that cover everything from gardening and craft-making to technology and health and beauty. That, and everyone who attends gets free strawberry short cake! This year’s Strawberry Short Course Festival takes place June 24, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., at the Gresham campus. To learn more, including how to sign up to teach a class, be a vendor or volunteer at the event, visit mhcc.edu/Strawberry.

Portland Highland Games

Fancy a Scottish reel anyone? You can expect dancing and a whole lot more at the 2017 Portland Highland Games. The Highland Games have been a staple during the summers at MHCC since 1988. On July 15, the Games return, as will about 50 Scottish “clans” to compete in everything from caber tossing and Scottish hammer throwing to bagpiping, drumming and the Kilted Mile Race. Other attractions include children’s games and activities, including a mini-caber toss and a fun run; performances by musicians and bands playing traditional Scottish folk and progressive Celtic music; multiple food and craft vendors; and a whisky tasting tent. Stay up to date on the Portland Highland Games’ 2017 event schedule and admission ticket costs at PHGA.org

Cruise The College

Muscle car fans rejoice: The Mt. Hood Mustangs and Fords (MHMF) Club’s Cruise The College returns to MHCC for its third summer on July 16, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Attendees can expect food, music (by the Cruisin’ Tunes), a raffle and plenty of modern and classic cars, trucks and motor vehicles. Some 45 vehicle trophies are up for grabs, including awards for the best custom cars and trucks, nicest Ford and GM muscle cars, coolest low riders and the Best of Show.

“Cruisins like this are a great opportunity for people to get together and enjoy cars and each other’s company,” said Ann Clack, an 18-year member of MHMF. “People are really proud of the cars and trucks they put on display at these events; you get to see a little bit of history, which is neat.”

The entry fee for Cruise The College is $15, with a portion of the gate receipts supporting the Ford Automotive Student Service Educational Training (ASSET) program at MHCC. Raffle proceeds benefit My Father’s House, a Gresham-based shelter for homeless families, and Oregon Impact safe driving education. Learn more about Cruise The College at MHMF.com

Athletic Events

MHCC’s athletic fields and facilities certainly don’t collect dust during the summer season. For example, the amateur baseball team the Gresham GreyWolves play their home games at MHCC’s Oslund Field all summer long. The GreyWolves opened their season June 1 at Oslund Field. Visit GreshamGreyWolves.com for more information. On July 2, MHCC hosts a TrackTown Summer Series meet; the Summer Series is a nationwide circuit of professional track and field meets. And on July 22 the Rose City Relay, which features a 67- and 44-mile-long relay running course, will begin and end at MHCC.

The Aquatic Center at MHCC hosts multiple family friendly events throughout the summer as well. They include dive-in movies (open swim with a movie playing on a giant screen). For more information on Aquatic Center events, visit mhcc.edu/AquaticCenterEvents

And don’t forget about performing arts and planetarium events happening at MHCC in June. For a performing arts event schedule, visit mhcc.edu/PerformingArtsEvents; for the planetarium schedule, visit mhcc.edu/Planetarium.

Mark your calendars and save the date for these great family oriented events. Check out mhcc.edu and facebook.com/MtHoodCommunityCollege for the latest information on college events, as well as the event websites listed above.