I’ve lived in the Portland, Oregon area for several years now, and it’s still a place I find surprises me with it’s sheer variety. The natural beauty and wonder surrounding the city and extending outward can keep a person busy exploring for decades. Another facet of Portland is that it’s a great festival town. Here are a few of the best.
Waterfront Blues Festival
It happens every July during the week of Independence Day at one of the city’s treasures, Tom McCall Waterfront Park. The largest blues festival west of the Mississippi always has a huge lineup. My favorite this year was Black Joe Louis and the Honeybears. Take the MAX trains downtown, as it’s usually not the only thing happening and parking can be dicey. If you go on the Fourth, there’s a great fireworks show.
Oregon Brewers Festival
Always the last weekend in July, another summer favorite that takes place at Waterfront Park. It’s not for the kids, but what a great time to find a babysitter. It’s the biggest gathering of independent brewers in North America, and draws huge crowds. There is live music, and craft beers from around the country. The Portland International Beer Festival takes place a couple of weeks earlier, so beer fans can find plenty of celebratory suds to sample.
Bite of Oregon
A foodie paradise, the Bite of Oregon also offers a fair for the kids and live music. It’s a mid-August affair, and a weekend pass can be had for only $15.00. The variety of food features all things Oregon, from samples of what area food carts cook up to incredible seafood and a wine pavilion with over 100 selections. Like all the downtown festivals, there is parking available, but it’s easier to take the MAX and avoid the hassle.
Zoolights at the Oregon Zoo
An annual event held at the Oregon Zoo in Washington Park, Zoolights runs from right after Thanksgiving through the New Year, and is an area favorite for families. Incredible light displays are made in and around the zoo enclosures. The only drawback is that you won’t see too many animals, but the zoo is open year around for viewing. We’ve taken our four-year-old son three years in a row.
The Rose Festival
The big festival when it comes to Portland, the Rose Festival runs for three weeks in late May and early June. A carnival runs on the waterfront throughout the festival. Events like dragon boat races on the river and visits from naval vessels take place, but the big events are the parades. The Grand Floral Parade is second only to the Rose Parade in the West.
Our family favorite is the Starlight Parade, which takes place the weekend before the Grand Floral. It starts just as the sun drops, and weaves through the city with marching bands, lighted floats, and all variety of glowing things to see.