PORTLAND, Ore. — The Rose Festival's Fleet Week returns to Portland on Wednesday, June 5. The event, which runs through June 9, is an opportunity for people to learn about six ships from the U.S. Navy, the U.S. Coast Guard and the Royal Canadian Navy, and even tour some of the vessels.
Visiting ships have been making their way to the city's waterfront since 1907. The Rose Festival said Portland is known to be a favorite port of call for military visitors.
"We’re proud to be back," said Rear Admiral Mark Sucato, the commander of the Navy Region Northwest.
He said Portland and the U.S. Navy have a 117-year long relationship. He added that the city's restaurants and the beauty of the outdoors makes it a great place for sailors participating in Fleet Week, but the best part of the event are the interactions with the public.
"The real magic of Fleet Week is the conversations," Rear Adm. Sucato said. "It’s getting to talk to a sailor, hear their stories, perhaps see the ship, and the more interested the sailors are in the city, the more magical that becomes."
Representatives of the visiting ships spoke during a news conference Tuesday morning.
Visiting ships schedule
Here's a schedule showing when each ship will arrive and depart in Portland. All times are approximate and are subject to change.
June 5 arrivals:
- USCGC John McCormick: 2 p.m.
- USS Montgomery: 3 p.m.
- USCGC Bluebell: 5:30 p.m.
- HMCS Edmonton: 5:30 p.m.
- HMCS Yellowknife: 5:45 p.m.
June 9 departures:
- USCGC Bluebell: 1 p.m.
June 10 departures:
- USCGC John McCormick: 6 a.m.
- USS Montgomery: 8 a.m.
- HMCS Yellowknife: 10 a.m.
- HMCS Edmonton: 10:05 a.m.
Also visiting is the USACE Redlinger, which will arrive daily starting Thursday and 9 a.m., and will depart daily at 5 p.m. through Sunday.
Traffic impacts and bridge lifts
The ship arrivals and departures will cause frequent lifts for the Broadway and Burnside bridges, and will also impact several bus lines, all MAX lines and the Portland Streetcar. For real-time bridge lift updates, visit Portland Fire and Rescue and Multnomah County bridges' social pages. For up-to-date TriMet service alerts, click here.
Ship tours
People will have the chance to tour several vessels from the U.S. Coast Guard, the Royal Canadian Navy and the U.S. Navy. That includes the USS Montgomery, a U.S. Navy Littoral Combat Ship. Tours go from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on June 6-9. Tickets are not required, but the tours are first come, first served.
The Rose Festival shared the tips below:
- Bring your non-expired government issued ID
- Visitors will pass through an airport-style security screening checkpoint and may be subject to personal search
- Visitors must wear closed-toe shoes
- Large bags, strollers, and wheelchairs are not allowed on board, and there is no 'holding area' for personal items
- Do not bring any items on the prohibited items list below
- Visitors must be physically able to maneuver on board, including climbing or descending steep/narrow ladders