The festival site is a City of Portland public park, with most of the terrain a sloping, grassy hill. The walkways are ADA accessible and there is a designated ADA seating area at the top of the bowl. The main entrance at SW Columbia Street provides the most direct access point to the ADA seating area. Please note that as with all seating in the venue, it is first-come, first-served. There is no reserved festival parking. Attendees can park in public lots and on the street. The closest parking garage is at SW First and Jefferson Street, just a few blocks from the festival site.

If you have specific questions regarding accessibility, please reach out to our team at info@waterfrontbluesfest.com.

All shows will go on rain or shine.

• Your festival tickets
• Valid ID
• Empty reusable water bottles (or factory sealed bottled water)
• Bring the correct size bag! All bags are subject to size restrictions, and must not exceed 18″ x 6″ x 12″. Clear bags are encouraged, but not required.
• One low-profile lawn chair per attendee. Please note attendees with chair seats more than 12” off the ground will be required to sit in specially designated areas.
• Good vibes!

The following items are NOT allowed at the festival:

• No outside food and beverages, other than factory-sealed or empty water bottles (Please note, exemptions will be made for medically necessary items and severe allergies. Please email info@waterfrontbluesfest.com with questions.)
• Leave your oversized bags at home. All bags are subject to size restrictions, and must not exceed 18″ x 6 “x 12”. Clear bags are encouraged, but not required.
• Cannabis, drugs, outside alcohol and other controlled substances
• Coolers of any kind
• Smoking, vaping, or chewing tobacco
• Oversized umbrellas, tents or canopies
• Oversized blankets — please be courteous to your neighbor and only take up the space that you need (that’s about a regular beach towel-sized space per person)
• Carts or wagons
• Weapons of any kind
• Fireworks, explosives, or accelerants of any kind
• Drones
• Balloons, beachballs, frisbees, inflatable devices, or outdoor games
• Professional audio or video recording devices and equipment, including cameras with a detachable lens longer than 4″
• Animals, except service animals
• Glass of any kind

All attendees and their belongings are subject to search upon entry. The festival is not responsible for lost, stolen or damaged items.

We’re all here to have a good time and we’re all a part of the Blues Fest Community, so please remember:

• Per the City of Portland, all Portland Parks are designated as smoke-free areas
• Be kind to the park — dispose of trash and recycling in designated receptacles
• Be kind to your neighbor — no physical or verbal harassment or abuse will be tolerated
• Keep on moving — please do not block aisles, walkways, esplanade or other public areas
• Be cool — please follow the guidelines and directions of the festival management team and its authorized contractors, as well as all posted signage
• No seriously, be cool — please follow all federal, state and City of Portland laws, ordinances, rules and regulations
• Waterfront Blues Festival staff will close entry to Waterfront Park when the audience reaches capacity, as directed by the City of Portland Fire Marshal
• No video or audio recording of concerts without permission from artist
• No distribution of commercial advertisements, or vending without authorization

There will be a variety of tasty food and snack options available for purchase including gluten-free and vegetarian options. There will be beer, wine, spirits and nonalcoholic beverages available for purchase. A valid, acceptable ID is required for all alcohol purchases.

All outside food and beverages are NOT allowed. However, attendees may enter with factory-sealed water bottles and empty reusable water bottles.

We understand that some patrons may require accommodations (infants/children, diabetics, severe allergies), and we will make exceptions for medically necessary items, including any diabetic needs, infant formula, etc. If you have a medical item or allergy that requires accommodation, please email us with your questions at info@waterfrontbluesfest.com.

Attendees may enter with factory-sealed water bottles and empty reusable water bottles.

Free refill stations will be on-site and water will also be available for purchase.

The on-site festival merchandise booth is the place to find all of your fun, new Blues Festival gear! In the meanwhile, you can shop online for shirts, swag and more from past festivals.

The applications for the Waterfront Blues Festival vendor program will open in early 2025. 

Do you have something else to offer that isn’t food or goods? If you are a business that wants to advertise your business, sign up new customers, collect consumer data, hand out samples (or coupons, fliers or marketing materials) or simply engage with attendees without selling anything directly, you could be a sponsor! Please email sponsors@waterfrontbluesfest.com for more information.

Volunteers are the heart and soul of the festival. They help with a little bit of everything, from hydration and hospitality to ticket lines and merch sales. Check back here in spring 2025 to sign up for a position.

P.S. Volunteering is a great way to earn a free ticket to the festival! Fulfill a shift and you can spend the rest of the day enjoying the vibes.

Items found during the festival will be held at the Festival Information Booth, that is located at the top of the bowl, near the Columbia Street Gate. Items turned into Lost and Found will be held until August 1 before being donated. Waterfront Blues Festival is not responsible for any lost or damaged items.