1. Overview of Portland LGBTQ Celebrations
2. Portland Pride Waterfront Festival
3. Portland Latino Gay Pride
4. Vancouver’s Saturday in the Park Pride
Portland, Oregon is home to an exceptionally active and progressive LGBTQ community. During the month of June, LGBTQ individuals from not only the city but surrounding areas and across the nation come together to celebrate in downtown Portland for various events, including the much-anticipated Portland Pride Waterfront Festival.
Portland Pride Waterfront Festival
Often recognized as Pride Northwest, this extraordinary event is one of the largest donation-based Pride celebrations across the country. It takes place in the stunning Tom McCall Waterfront Park, which overlooks the Willamette River. In 2020, the festival is scheduled for June 13 and 14, just one week after the Astoria Oregon Gay Pride.
Portland Pride consists of two main events plus numerous parties and gatherings. Highlights include the traditional Stark Street Pride Block Party at Scandals Gay Bar and the special Flare Pride Kickoff Party, proudly sponsored by the city’s leading lifestyle and arts publication, Portland Monthly.
Throughout the festival, entertainment options are plentiful, particularly on Saturday night. The lineup features renowned performers from the LGBTQ community, with past headliners like Prince Poppycock of America’s Got Talent, comedian Deven Green, American Idol’s Frenchie Davis, and Mimi Imfurst from RuPaul’s Drag Race. Attendees can also enjoy a variety of food, crafts, and artisanal goods. Local favorites include the popular winemakers Hip Chicks Do Wine, known for their special Portland Pride label on select wines, as well as the exceptional brews from Deschutes Brewery, located in Bend and Portland.
Saturday’s festivities encompass the Portland Trans Pride Rally and March, the Portland Dyke March, and the women’s and trans Portland Pride Inferno Dance. Additionally, attendees can look forward to the Portland Pride Gaylabration at the Crystal Ballroom. On Sunday, the parade kicks off at 11 a.m. at Burnside and Park Avenues, progressing through the Pearl District and eventually returning to Tom McCall Waterfront Park for a festive finale.
However, the celebrations continue into the night as many participants head to Portland’s gay bars, indulging in food, drinks, and dancing for a weekend filled with joy.
Portland Latino Gay Pride
The vibrant LGBTQ Latino community in Portland hosts an engaging Portland Latino Gay Pride (or PDX Latinx Pride) festival in late August. This inclusive celebration features a variety of events, such as spoken word readings, film screenings, and the Tus Colores Festival, which showcases live performances, food, and traditional ballet folklorico. A highlight includes the lively “SuperQueeroes” drag show and dance party held at the festival’s main venue, District East.
Vancouver’s Saturday in the Park Pride
Just across the Columbia River from Portland, the city of Vancouver, Washington, hosts its annual Pride event called Saturday in the Park Pride on June 14, 2020. Since its inception in 1994, this event has become one of the region’s longest-standing LGBTQ celebrations.
This free festival is organized by the LGBTQ Pride of Southwest Washington and takes place in the picturesque Esther Short Park, right in the center of Vancouver’s growing downtown area. The festivities include live entertainment, local vendors offering their creations, and organizations promoting their important messages and goals, making it a fun and enjoyable gathering.
Importantly, these festivals are not intended to compete; rather, they aim to unite the entire LGBTQ community in the Pacific Northwest, encompassing residents from Oregon, Washington, and northern California.
