Waterfront Village – Something Different Every Week
Easy as A-B-C: All-American Spirit, Barbecue & Brew and BOOTS and Circus City featuring ClownTown!
Located in Portland's 'front yard,' Tom McCall Waterfront Park, the Waterfront Village is the Rose Festival's largest attraction. The three-week format offers a reason to return again and again to enjoy great food, great entertainment and great experiences for all ages.
The village opens on Memorial Day weekend, offering three weeks of fun!
Entertainment Schedules
Note: The following documents are in PDF format.
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Fountain Stage:
All-American Spirit [PDF]
Barbecue & Brew and BOOTS [PDF]
Circus City [PDF]
World Rhythms Stage:
All-American Spirit [PDF]
Barbecue & Brew and BOOTS [PDF]
Circus City [PDF]
See our special promotions.
Funtastic Traveling Shows
The Pacific Northwest's biggest, best and family-friendliest carnival, Funtastic features a full array of family fun, including gentle Kiddie Land rides, tried and true family favorites, and over-the-top twisters for older, more adventurous thrill seekers. It's Funtastic - Just Possibly the World's Best Carnival!
The Circus Project
Helping put the CIRCUS in Waterfront Village's Circus City featuring ClownTown, The Circus Project preforms their Cirque-like Duende -- an enchanting tale of love, family, and laughter told through aerial arts, acrobatics, dance and music. Internationally acclaimed circus artists perform to live music, attired in amazing costumes. Five shows are scheduled throughout the weekend (Friday, June 11 and Saturday, June 12: 6:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. Sunday, June 13: Sunday: 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.). Free with admission to Waterfront Village! You can read more at their website: TheCircusProject.Org
Toucan's Exotic Animals presented by KOIN Local 6
This popular live animal exhibit brings a diverse mix of exotic mammals, birds, reptiles and spiders. Baby tigers and lions, snakes and spiders -- these unusual creatures will delight all animal lovers. This exhibit's presence helps fund an animal rescue program and 40-acre country sanctuary.
Petting Zoo and Pony Rides
Kids love riding these ponies and petting the sheep, goats, and other farm animals in these FDA certified and licensed animal exhibits.
DEX World Rhythms Stage
Ethnic music groups and dance troupes perform festive world beat music. From reggae and Cajun to Polynesian and Tyrolean dancers, this stage showcases our community's many diverse cultures and heritages.
The Big Sling
This human catapult is big, fast, and thrilling as it slings riders skyward nearly 25 stories high at over 3 Gs of gravitational force. As the highest flying ride in the Pacific Northwest, the Big Sling is perfect for big thrill seekers.
Handmade NW Artisans Pavilion
A collection of local artisans selling their hand made crafts. From abstract paintings, quirky greeting cards, delicious smelling soap, and handmade cozies -- you're sure to find what you didn't even know you were looking for!
Weekly Themes and Features
The Rose Festival kicks off the summer season in Portland by opening its Waterfront Village on Memorial Day weekend with opening celebration and fireworks presented by Pacific Power, a free concert by Curtis Salgado, and a Candlelight Flag Dedication in the Field of Honor. PDX Living Well will be featured on Naito Parkway Saturday and Sunday. The Danner Tribute Wall and Oregon Field of Honor are present throughout the weekend.
Note: The following document is in PDF format.
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2010 PDX Living Well Participants [PDF]
Our Memorial Day activities have received official recognition from the White House as a participant in the National Moment of Remembrance. The Danner Memorial Day March and Commemoration Ceremony includes guest speakers, a jet fly-over, 21 cannon salute and other activities that recognize and thank our country's military personnel, both past and present. This year we welcome home members of the 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team.
See our special promotions.
During the Waterfront Village's second week, the Rose Festival's new Barbecue & Brew and BOOTS activities take center stage. Finger-licking treats, cool frothy brews, cooking demonstrations and daily BBQ specials will spice up Portland's downtown Waterfront Park. Sanctioned and judged by the Pacific Northwest Barbecue Association, the Pacific Northwest Barbecue Championship presented by SHAKERS Vodka caps off five days of BBQ heaven. Village attendees will experience a variety of barbecued treats carefully prepared and slow cooked by top Pit Master and Grand Champion cooks from around the region. Throughout the week visitors can enjoy SHAKERS Vodka, wine, or a variety of flavorful world class brews -- with a few samples or whole plate full of delicious barbecue. Preliminary activities during the week include Portland's Best awards featuring culinary delights presented by local restaurants, People's Choice award, Cheap Eats specials and Late Night Specials.
Apply to participate:
(Note: This document is in .pdf format.)
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Application and Overview [PDF]
Saturday features the interesting ANYTHING BUT competition (where competition Pit Master cooks can prepare anything but the four major competition meats -- pulled pork, beef brisket, chicken and ribs) and IRON CHEF competition (where cooks are given bags filled with secret ingredients to prepare a dish). On Sunday the finals of the Pacific Northwest Barbecue Championship presented by SHAKERS Vodka will occur between noon and 6:00 p.m. The overall Grand Champion will receive an automatic berth to both the American Royal and Great American barbecue championships in Kansas City!
In addition, the Rose Festival Fleet arrives this week, welcoming members of the U.S. Navy, Coast Guard, and Canadian Maritime Forces with Portland-style hospitality. Other Rose Festival events occurring this week include the ever-popular lighted and ever so eclectic PGE/SOLV Starlight Parade and Fleet Week.
See our special promotions.
The final week of the Waterfront Village encompasses some of the biggest special event days in the Pacific Northwest including the Fred Meyer Junior Parade, the largest children's parade in the nation, to the Regence Grand Floral Walk, a health and fitness event. The grandest parade of them all is the KeyBank Grand Floral Parade, which is the Rose Festival's cherished centerpiece and the focus of local activities and media!
At the Waterfront Village our Circus City will be loaded with circus arts acts galore and a band of wacky clowns in full costume. Humor, fanciful fun, and laugh out loud comedy will be on this week's docket at the Waterfront Village.
See our special promotions.
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