The Oregon Symphony’s annual concert at the waterfront isn’t just some light classical music alfresco. It’s a daylong festival featuring some of the most prominent musicians in town, like mariachi singer Edna Vazquez, Irish fiddler Kevin Burke, and experimental new-music ensembles Third Angle and FearNoMusic. But it’s a showcase for the region’s young performers as well, including sets from Portland Youth Philharmonic, Metropolitan Youth Symphony, and Bravo Youth Orchestra. And that’s all before the Oregon Symphony takes the stage with conductor Carlos Kalmar and guest spots by Portland Opera and Oregon Ballet Theatre. This year’s program includes excerpts from Puccini’s La Boheme, Dvorak’s ravishing “New World” Symphony, and John Williams’ soaring score for E.T. And it all wraps up with a bang—literally—with a rendition of Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture, performed with actual cannons courtesy of the Alpha Battery 218th Field Artillery. NED LANNAMANN