PORTLAND, Ore. — The Portland Waterfront Blues Festival, which runs Thursday through Sunday at Waterfront Park next to the Hawthorne Bridge, will continue operations as normal while keeping safety a high priority as temperatures in Portland are expected to climb above 100 degrees this weekend.
The festival has been a staple of summer events in Portland for over three decades, bringing local legends and musicians from around the world to perform blues, soul, funk and R&B music at the Portland Waterfront. On July Fourth, the festival will feature a firework show over the Willamette River to end the night.
One of the issues facing the festival this weekend is the extreme heat in Portland.
"We're just working with all the things within our control to let fans come in," said Christina Fuller, director for the Waterfront Blues Festival. "We still let you bring in water, you can bring in your chair, again you've got your umbrellas you can bring, so we're doing what we can to accommodate."
Festival organizers said they're taking the safety of all who will be in attendance "very seriously," and due to the extreme heat, will be taking the following safety precautions:
- Chill Center: There will be a "Chill Center" located on the second floor of the Mariott Downtown Waterfront hotel. The Chill Center is air-conditioned and will be open to all festival attendees from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. from July 4-7. General admission one-day ticketholders may request a special wristband at all exit gates to visit the Chill Center and receive re-entry to the festival. All other ticket holders already have re-entry included in their ticket.
- Updated Umbrella Policy: The festival has adjusted its policy to allow personal-sized umbrellas for the 2024 festival. Group/patio umbrellas are still prohibited.
- Unlimited free water at water stations throughout festival grounds: Factory sealed water bottles and empty refillable bottles are allowed inside the festival, and additional bottled water, reusable cups, and ice will be available on-site as well.
- Shade: There will be several tented and tree-shaded areas at the festival.
- Misting stations: Water misting cooling stations will be set up throughout the festival area.
- First-aid tent: A fully staffed and prepared first-aid tent to assist anyone experiencing signs of heat-related concerns.