Nov 07, 2009 (The Columbian - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- Visitors can take a rare look at life at Fort Vancouver after dark when the annual lantern tours begin tonight.

Each adult attending can carry a lantern while touring the counting house, fur store, kitchen, chief factor's house and bake house with a park ranger. Visitors will learn about what activities took place after dark at the fort and what it was like to live by lantern light.

When: 7-8 tonight. Additional lantern tours will be offered Nov. 21, Dec. 5 and 19.

Where: Fort Vancouver National Historic Site, 1001 E. Fifth St., Vancouver.

Admission: $10, $7 for children 15 and younger. Reservations are required.

Telephone: 360-816-6230.

On the Web: nps.gov/fova.

If taking a trip through time doesn't sound appealing this weekend, plenty of festivals, performing arts events and films are happening throughout Clark County and Portland. Here is our list of entertainment highlights for this weekend: 1. Veterans honored, freedom celebrated in parade The Celebrate Freedom Veterans Parade marches into downtown Vancouver today. The parade features about 2,500 people representing more than 100 groups marching in honor of veterans from all branches of the service.

The theme of this year's parade is "Honoring the 160th Anniversary of the Army at Vancouver Barracks." When: 11 a.m. today.

The event begins with a ceremony and the national anthem at 10 a.m. at the Marshall House, 1301 Officers Row, Vancouver.

Where: Following the ceremony, the parade will begin at East Evergreen Boulevard and East Reserve Street. It will continue west along Evergreen Boulevard to Main Street, where it will turn south. It will then go from Main Street to West Eighth Street, where it will turn west. The parade will end at Esther Short Park, West Eighth and Columbia streets.

Admission: Free.

Telephone: 360-992-1804.

On the Web: fortvan.org.

2. Indoor kite festival takes flight Summer might be in the past, but that doesn't mean kites can't take flight at the Camas Indoor Kite Festival at Camas High School.

A variety of lightweight kites will be flown indoors, with routines set to music. Indoor kite fliers from throughout the United States and Canada will be on hand for the event.

A panel of judges will grade the flights on how well the flier interprets the music, how well they fly their kite and the showmanship of the routine.

Competitions will take place in the main gym, and there's open flying time, as well as lessons and kite-making for children, in the upper gym.

When: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. today and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. Competition begins at 10:30 a.m. both days.

Where: Camas High School gymnasium, 26900 S.E. 15th St., Camas.

Admission: $2, $5 for a family of three or more.

Telephone: 360-695-9646.

On the Web: nwskl.org/camas.htm.

3. Portland Opera revisits Greek myth Portland Opera presents the retelling of the Orpheus myth in its latest production, "Orphee." After the death of his wife, Eurydice, Orphee is taken to the Underworld. The couple is released on the condition that Orphee never look at Eurydice again.

The production will be performed in French with English translations projected above the stage.

When: 2 p.m. Sunday, as well as 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Nov. 14.

Where: Keller Auditorium, 222 S.W. Clay St., Portland.

Admission: $20-$135.

Telephone: 866-739-6737.

On the Web: portlandopera.org.

4. Disney unveils classic Christmas tale in 3-D The holiday season has arrived, and to celebrate, Disney's "A Christmas Carol" is now in theaters.

The animated take on the Charles Dickens classic spotlights Jim Carrey as the voice of Ebenezer Scrooge, who greets the Christmas season with cries of "bah humbug." He complains about the season to his clerk (Gary Oldman) and his nephew (Colin Firth).

But on Christmas Eve, Scrooge receives a visit from three ghosts who show him the truths he's been reluctant to admit throughout the years.

The film will also be presented in 3-D at Battle Ground Cinema, Cinetopia and Regal Cascade 16 Cinemas.

When: Showtimes vary.

Where: Battle Ground Cinema, 1700 S.W. Ninth Ave., Battle Ground; Cinetopia, 11700 S.E. Seventh St., Vancouver; various Clark County Regal Cinemas locations.

Admission: Varies by theater.

Telephone: Battle Ground Cinema, 360-666-7200; Cinetopia, 360-213-2800; Regal Cinemas, 800-326-3264.

On the Web: battlegroundcinema.com, cinetopia.com or fandango.com.

Now that you have your weekend planned, here are three fun ideas for the week ahead.

5. Work by Christopher Mathie on display in downtown Vancouver Christopher Mathie is the latest artist to be spotlight at Art on the Boulevard. Mathie works to capture movement, emotion and essential shapes to communicate his ideas. His exhibit is on display through Nov. 28.

Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays.

Where: Art on the Boulevard, 210 W. Evergreen Blvd., Suite 300, Vancouver.

Telephone: 360-750-4499.

On the Web: artontheboulevard.org.

6. B.B. King performs in Portland Legendary blues singer and guitarist B.B. King will headline a show in Portland. His latest album, "One Kind Favor," was released in 2008.

King's concert is for adults 21 and older.

When: 8 p.m. Nov. 10.

Where: Roseland Theater, 8 N.W .Sixth Ave., Portland.

Admission: $50-75 through TicketsWest, 800-992-8499 or ticketswest.com.

On the Web: roselandpdx.com.

7. Dance performs draws on Chinese influences The latest performance presented by White Bird showcases Chinese-influenced works. Shen Wei Dance Arts will perform work that reflects Wei's impressions of Tibet during his travels there, as well as a new work that integrates images of the Old Silk Road with newer, modern Chinese imagery.

When: 7:30 p.m. Nov. 11.

Where: Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, 1037 S.W. Broadway, Portland.

Admission: $20-$50, and $16-$40 for students and seniors.

Telephone: 503-245-1600.

On the Web: whitebird.org.

To see more of The Columbian, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.columbian.com. Copyright (c) 2009, The Columbian, Vancouver, Wash.

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