One of the area?s most popular annual events is the Bite of Oregon, which indulges palettes each August. The Bite includes live music and many activities, but the focus of course is the food. The showcase of the Bite is its massive outdoor food court featuring the best that the area's restaurants have to offer. Once a strictly Portland affair, the Bite now represents cuisine from around the state, with dozens of Oregon restaurants participating each year. In addition, the Bite includes:

• A wine tasting from some of the best vineyards of the Willamette Valley, Columbia River Gorge, and Southern Oregon.
• Three days of comedy and music on several stages. This includes many local acts as well as national headliners.

The Bite of Oregon serves as the primary fundraiser for the Special Olympics Oregon.