Fireworks in Portland

Waterfront Blues Festival
Oregon’s biggest fireworks show is on the first day of the Waterfront Blues Festival this year, at Tom McCall Waterfront Park along the Willamette River. The show starts at 10pm.
Price: $10 suggested donation, plus 2 cans of nonperishable food
Tip: You can see the fireworks from just about anywhere in close-in Portland: downtown, east side of the river, west side, and south waterfront.

Oaks Park
South on the Willamette in Sellwood, is Oaks Park’s annual fireworks show. Viewable from Sellwood, SE Portland and Willamette Park on the west side of the river.
Price: $5 (15 and under: $2)
Tip: Also viewable from the west side of the river in Willamette Park and a partial view of both Waterfront & Oaks Park can be found in the South Waterfront neighborhood.

Fort Vancouver
Technically not in Portland, Fort Vancouver, which is Portland’s closest National Park, across the Columbia River, is historically (nudge nudge) the biggest fireworks show in the Portland area. The holiday festivities begin in the morning, with the fireworks show starting at 10:05pm over Pearson Field.
Price: $5 advance, $7 at the gate (12 and under: free)
Tip: Fireworks can be seen from the Oregon side of the Columbia River too, so try Marine Drive.

Getting around:
If you want to avoid driving to check out the fireworks, TriMet usually adds extra MAX service on the 4th.

Photo by: Skimchee. Updated for 2012.

Once every year, all 10 of Portland’s bridges are covered with cyclists. It’s sort of like Critical Mass, only the Portland Bridge Pedal is sanctioned (and charges an entry fee).

This year the event is on Sunday, August 12, 2012.

Participants can choose to ride all 10 bridges (36-mile route), eight bridges (24-mile route) or six bridges (14-mile route). Included in the itinerary are routes across the top decks of the the Marquam and Fremont bridges, along with the most of the bridges in Portland that go over the Willamette River. The registration fees are $30-40 (depending on if you choose the 6,8, or 10 bridge ride) for adults and $40-50 if you sign up on the day of the event. Youth (ages 13-19) are $15-25, and kids (age 12 and under are free). If you want to form a team, you can gather four or more adults together to save $4 each off the registration fee. This is a perfect excuse to make friends with your cycling neighbors.

New this year: Express Start. Both the 8-bridge and 10-bridge rides offer an early starting option ($5 extra), for those who want to get out ahead of the pack of riders.

In past years, the Bridge Pedal finish line has ended at The Bite of Oregon. The past two years, the finish-line festivities are at JELD-WEN Field. [Route ends at SW Salmon Street and 15th Avenue]

For those Portlanders who haven’t been on a bike in more than a decade [we won't judge!], you can still get into the spirit of things by joining the “Portland Bridge Stride” event for walkers which is a five-mile route that goes over the Fremont and Steel bridges. Fees for the Bridge Stride are $20 for adults ($30 on event day), $15 for seniors aged 60 or over ($20 on event day) and kids age 15 or under are free.

Register for the Portland Bridge Pedal and have a great time!

Photo by: rynosoft. Original article written August 2007, updated June 2012.

Here’s what you need to know about Portland in May.

WEATHER

With average temperatures from the high 40s to high 60s, and daylight hitting 15 glorious hours by the end of the month, we can almost taste summer! Since May and June can still be fairly rainy months, it can sometimes feel like summer has arrived and then next minute it’s winter. Welcome to spring in Oregon.
>> Learn more about: weather in Portland

APRIL EVENTS/CONCERTS

May 3: First Thurday
May 5: Cinco de Mayo Fiesta – celebrate the fifth of May at Waterfront Park for the 28th annual event.
May 8: Taste of the Nation – sample tasty dishes from dozens of top Portland restaurants at this year’s 25th anniversary event
May 12: Crafty Wonderland Spring Sale – check out the Convention Center for the spring version of Crafty Wonderland.
May 13: Sunday Parkways NE Portland – Take to the streets by bike this Mother’s Day.
May 18: National Bike to Work Day – It’s going to be a busy one out there!
May 18: UFO Festival – head to McMinnville for their 13th annual celebration of all things out there.
May 18-19: NW Animation Festival – this weekend festival hosts 60 short films from around the world
May 19: Maifest – celebrate spring with German tradition
May 19: Reach the Beach – annual cycling event ending in Pacific City, Oregon.
May 20: Kenton Street Fair – North Portland neighborhood event
May 20: Portland Rock n Roll 1/2 Marathon
May 20-June 10: Portland Rose Festival – celebrate the city of Roses through mid-June
May 25: Portland Art Museum Free Day- every fourth Friday is free museum day.
May 26-28: Memorial Weekend in Wine Country – more than 150 wineries take part in this annual event.

What’s your favorite thing to do in May?

Photo: Curtis Gregory Perry

If Portland is an indie music lover’s dream, then summer time is prime time to check out local musicians.

Here’s a breakdown of the major festivals and concerts that call Portland summers home:

MAY

Portland Rose Festival
What Although Portland’s most well-known festival isn’t a music festival, there are usually a few bigger name bands that come through, or local favorites, like Presidents of the United States of America. Last year’s festival included: Corin Tucker Band, Weinland, Richmond Fontaine, And And And, and Acoustic Minds.
Where Tom McCall Waterfront Park
When May 20 – June 17, 2012

JUNE

Edgefield Concerts on the Lawn

What One of Portland’s best concert series, Concerts on the Lawn brings in some major artists. Plus, McMenamins manages to keep their properties both appealing to locals and visitors, so hanging out at Edgefield is extra fun when a concert comes through. This year’s series includes: Foster the People, Ben Harper, Ringo Starr, Florence + the Machine, Sigur Rós, Norah Jones, The Avett Brothers and a few more.
Where McMenamins Edgefield
When June 17 – September 29, 2012

Oregon Zoo Summer Concerts
What Not exactly a music festival, but the Oregon Zoo Summer Concert Series is a favorite among Portlanders with tiny ones in tow. Thankfully, it’s both family-friendly and a fun time. Last year’s series includes: Indigo Girls, Los Lobos with Los Lonely Boys, Matisyahu, Chris Isaak, Peter Frampton, k.d. lang. So far this year, only the kick-off concert with the B-52s has been announced!
Where Oregon Zoo
When June 22 – August 27, 2012

JULY

Waterfront Blues Festival

What Portland’s Waterfront Blues Festival is the largest on the west coast, and second in the nation. Not bad. Started in 1987, the festival brings the best blues artists to Portland on a pretty spectacular weekend — 4th of July! This year’s festival is the 25th anniversary and includes: Steve Miller Band, Galactic, Elvin Bisop Band, Booker T, Bobby Rush, James Cotton and tons more.
Where Tom McCall Waterfront Park
When July 4-8, 2012

Pix Bastille Day Block Party
What Celebrate Bastille Day with Pix’s all-day block party — music and silliness like storming a 4ft Bastille made of cream puffs. The annual block party has music in the evening, past years have included local bands like: Typhoon and Nice Nice.
Where Pix Patisserie
When July 14, 2012

PDX Pop Now
What Portland’s annual all-ages, free music festival happens in late July. The only band selection criteria? At least 50% of the band need to live in Portland. Past years have brought in the likes of Blitzen Trapper, Viva Voce, Menomena, Minus Five, Sally Ford, Hockey, Yatch, Starf*cker, and Red Fang.
Where Refuge PDX
When July 20-22, 2012

PDX Bridge Festival
What What better way to celebrate Bridgetown than with a festival… and music! Last year’s festival included a free concert with local music on three stages.
Where Hawthorne Bridge
When July 29 – August 7, 2012

AUGUST

Pickathon
What Oregon’s version of Bonnaroo, Pickathon is the “original Indie-Roots” festival. This year’s fest brings in 50 bands on six stages. Get ready for camping and music, and maybe even a sunburn… in a field out in Happy Valley. Tickets for this year’s festival (including camping fees) are $190 and the lineup highlights include: Neko Case, Blitzen Trapper, The Cave Singers, Thee Oh Sees, Typhoon, Y La Bamba and tons more.
Where Happy Valley, Oregon
When August 3-5, 2012

SEPTEMBER

MusicFestNW
What Probably the most mainstream of the summer festivals. Music Fest NW started 12 years ago, and is put on by Willamette Week, Portland’s alternative weekly newspaper. Tickets can be purchased as an all-show wristband or per show. The 2012 lineup hasn’t been announced, but last year’s highlights included: Band of Horses, Iron & Wine, The Kills, Butthole Surfers, Blind Pilot, Blitzen Trapper, Sebadoh, Handsome Furs, Portland Cello Project, Y La Bamba.
Where Pioneer Courthouse Square
When September 5-9, 2012

NEARBY FESTIVALS

A couple other festivals worth mentioning, even though they’re a solid three to five hours away, are Sasquatch and Bumbershoot.

Sasquatch
What Every Memorial Day, hoards of Pacific Northwesterners make their way to the Gorge for Sasquatch. This year’s lineup included: Beck, Bon Iver, The Shins, Girl Talk, Jack White, The Head & The Heart, Feist, Silversun Pickups, Metric, M. Ward, Santigold, Of Monsters and Men, Little Dragon, Deer Tick and a seriously disturbing amount of other stellar bands.
Where The Gorge
When May 25-28, 2012

Bumbershoot
What Every Labor Day weekend for the past 41 years, Seattle-ites have partied in Seattle Center celebrating music, art, culture, and these days even comedy and film. Back in the beginning it was simply called “Festival”, but in 1973 Bumbershoot was born — yep, Bumbershoot as in “umbrella” — there’s a 50% chance you’ll need one too. Past years have covered everyone from Wu Tang to REM. This year’s lineup hasn’t been announced yet, but last year’s highlights included: Hall & Oates, Big Boi, Minus the Bear, Little Dragon, Broken Social Scene, Wiz Khalifa, and tons more.
Where Seattle Center
When September 1-3, 2012

What’s your favorite summer festival?

Photo by: eyeliam, spot+chalk Originally published June 2011, updated April 2012.

So here’s what you need to know about being in Portland in April, from what the weather is like to events and things to do.

WEATHER

April in Portland is a return to the coveted highs of 60 degree weather. With average lows in the low 40s and highs in the low 60s, it’s also the beginning of phasing out some of the rainfall and by the end of the month we’re in 14 hours of daylight season again. Is it summer yet?
>> Learn more about: weather in Portland

APRIL EVENTS/CONCERTS

Mar 31-Apr 30: Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival – Woodburn’s annual tulip festival is open all month.
Apr 5: First Thursday
Apr 6-7: Spring Beer & Wine Festival – celebrate NW wine, beer, and cheese at this annual festival at the Convention Center – and as usual free admission to the first 1,000 people each day
Apr 12-15: Bridgetown Comedy Festival – get your laugh on in Portland’s annual comedy festival.
Apr 13-15: Portland Swap Meet – the largest auto parts swap meet on the West coast, at the Expo Center.
Apr 13-15: Filmed By Bike Film Festival – 10th anniversary of this short film bike-centric festival at Clinton Street Theater.
Apr 21-22: Hood River Valley Blossom Festival – blossoms everywhere!
Apr 21: Portland’s Cheers to Belgian Beers – a low key beer fest in N Portland
Apr 26: Last Thursday
Apr 27-28: Oregon Garden Brewfest – craft brewfest in Silverton
Apr 28-29: Stumptown Comics Fest – 9th annual comic fest at the Convention Center

THINGS TO DO

It’s time to get outside this month. Oregon is blooming and green and it’s a great time to head back to the downtown farmers market, visit the Japanese Gardens or Pittock Mansions for the views, or venture out to Hood River for blossoms of all colors.

What’s your favorite thing to do in April?

The key to making long-term travel real is making it your top priority. This is no different than any major life decision you may make. Funding a college education, buying a house, and even buying a car are honestly the same thing as traveling the world. When people decide to buy a house, they buckle down, they re-prioritize, they get on a tight budget, and they start saving. Going on a round the world trip is no different. How much money you will need for a RTW trip is different for everyone.

Once you realize that this is a possibility and it starts becoming real, then the fun begins – the planning. Where to go on a long-term trip is not an easy task to tackle. The world is a huge place, and there are plenty of great places to go. But lots of people bypass cities in the US, either because of the high cost or because you’re American and you figure that you can travel here any other time. While that is true, the best thing about going on an extended trip is the time you have. We have been wanting to go to the Pacific Northwest for years now, and we still haven’t made it there. Looking back, I wish now that we would have added a city like Portland to our RTW itinerary.

Adding in a place or two at home, to either the beginning or end of your trip, is something that all RTW travelers should at the very least contemplate. It can ease you into your trip by not providing culture shock and get you used to being on the road, or it can be a great place to re-adjust before ultimately going home. So if you are planning a trip around the world, consider starting or ending your trip at home. It could be just what the doctor ordered.

Photo credit: 1

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