Fairly regularly for several years, Renee Fleming has visited Portland to perform with the Oregon Symphony in a venue befitting a world-class singer — Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall.

Fleming returns to the Portland area in 2025, but her surroundings will be drastically different. Fleming, the superstar soprano, performs across the Columbia River at the Vancouver Arts & Music Festival at Esther Short Park in Vancouver, Washington.

Fleming takes the stage with Vancouver Symphony Orchestra USA at 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 2 as a highlight of the four-day celebration of the arts that takes place Thursday, July 31 through Sunday, Aug. 3.

The festival also includes appearances by Americana stars Mark and Maggie O’Connor, Latin jazz sensation Tito Puente Jr. and his Orchestra, Alaskan Inuit soul group Pamyua, classical guitarist Sharon Isbin, acrobatics and comedy duo The Kif-Kif Sisters and playful ensemble Clown Garage.

The City of Vancouver and Vancouver Symphony Orchestra USA, now in is 47th year, puts on the annual festival, which arts enthusiasts started only two years  (2023).

It’ll be at intimate and scenic Esther Short Park in downtown Vancouver, only a vehicle ride over the Interstate 5 bridge from Portland.

The festival has quickly become a highlight of Vancouver/Clark County’s arts scene, serving as “a wonderful celebration of our city’s creativity and talent,” said Stacey Donovan, cultural services manager of City of Vancouver.

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Festival highlights:

— On opening night, which starts at 5 p.m., Pamyua blends traditional drum songs (songs of the Yup’ik) with African-American influences like gospel, R&B, jazz and funk, and Tito Puente Jr. and his Orchestra presents a concert of Latin jazz, carrying on the tradition of Puente’s father (including the iconic “Oye Come Va”).

— Mark and Maggie O’Connor play two of Mark O’Connor’s original concertos with the orchestra at 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 1, as part of Family Day at the festival. Following the O’Connor’s performance, the movie “Coco” shows on an outdoor screen. (By the way, the O’Connors have presented their “An Appalachian Christmas” show several times in Portland.)

— Fleming sings arias and songs from Puccini to Rodgers & Hammerstein on Saturday, Aug. 2.

— Isbin debuts Karen LeFrak’s “Miami Concerto for Guitar and Orchestra” at 6 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 3. The night’s intermission features All Classical Radio President & CEO Suzanne Nance engaging in conversation with Maestro Schwarz, Isbin and composer LeFrak.

— Three outdoor stages will be filled with music for everybody — rock, folk, jazz, soul, Cajun, salsa, — as well as poetry and circus acts such as The Kif-Kif Sisters and Clown Garage.

— There’ll also be a juried art exhibit at the nearby Hilton Vancouver Washington, curated by multidisciplinary artist Sharon Svec, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Aug. 1-2, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 3.

— Interactive art installations, demonstrations, pop-up galleries and lawn games add to the fun. Friday, Aug. 1 will be Family Day with creative fun and music for kids, including roving performers and magicians, face painting, story time and a pop-up children’s museum with Columbia Play Project.

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Esther Short Park, a centerpiece of the city across the Columbia River from Portland, is at 605 Esther St., Vancouver, Wash. 98660. All activities, performances and concerts are free and open to all ages. There will be food and art available for purchase. More details at vancouverartsandmusicfestival.com.