Festival Happenings
On the Grounds
FIREWORKS
In celebration of their 80th year, Lithia & Driveway is teaming up with the Blues Fest as the presenting sponsor of the 4th of July Fireworks at this year’s festival. Expect musical surprises and a thrilling fireworks display over the Willamette River to celebrate the 250th anniversary of America.
MARKETPLACE
Forgot your sunglasses? Need a hat (or some earrings made of guitar picks)? Wanna take home a little piece of Oregon? We’ve got you, friends! Check out the marketplace lineup.
family fun
at the playin' ground
We love our Blues Fest families! We’ve got a whole super fun area for families to gather at the fest – The Playin’ Ground, near the River Rhythms stage, which features music activities, art, face painting and more.
And don’t forget, thanks to our friends at Buick GMC of Beaverton kids 12 and under get in free to the festival.
BLUES CRUISES
Presented by Kona Big Wave
Cruise the beautiful Willamette River and hear the sweet sounds of live music on the decks of the Portland Spirit. Each Blues Cruise features three intimate stages and an all-star lineup. A full bar and food are available for purchase.
- Big Easy Cruise – Thursday, July 2: Bon Bon Vivant • Kota Dosa • Reggie Houston’s Box of Chocolates
- Cruisin’ to Memphis – Friday, July 3: Cascade Blues Association’s Journey to Memphis Allstars & Finals • Billy Stoops • Sleeper Wave
- Sail on Sister Cruise – Saturday, July 4: A Blues Fest Cares Cruise with NW Women Rhythm & Blues • Ms. Vee and a Badass Band • Mary Flower and Leon Cotter
FOOD + DRINK
Stay hungry and come thirsty Blues fans! The festival has LOTS of delicious bites and beverages from Portland’s world-famous culinary community — with options for every eater (Omnivores! Vegans! Gluten Free!) and drinker (beer, wine, spirits and non-alcoholic). Check out the food & beverage lineup.
AROUND TOWN
COMMUNITY CONCERTS + EVENTS
Catch us popping up all around Portland before the festival! To stay in the know about all of our community concerts and events, sign up for our newsletter.
KMHD x WBF LIVE AT THE MIDTOWN BEER GARDEN
Thursday, June 4 and 11 | 11 am – 1 pm | 431 SW Harvey Milk
Come spend your lunch hour with Alex Newman, host of KMHD’s The New Format. We’ll be broadcasting live with some tasty tracks from this year’s Blues Fest lineup.
SUMMER KICK OFF AT DIRECTOR PARK
Saturday, June 13 | 11 am – 2 pm | 505 NW 13th Ave
Music from Pomegranate and The Gold Experience
DAD’S ROCK AT WONDERWOOD SPRINGS
Sunday, June 21 | 12-3 pm | 33 NE 3rd Ave
With free golf and music from Mr. Vale’s Math Class and Martha Schmidt Quintet
JUNETEENTH COMMUNITY CONCERT
Wednesday, June 19 | 5-7 pm | 8371 N Interstate Ave
In partnership with our friends at Oregon Contemporary and Friends of Noise featuring LaRhonda Steele + Zyanna, this free community concert will be held in Oregon Contemporary’s beautiful outdoor courtyard (rain or shine).
WBF AT THE PORTLAND TIMBERS
Saturday, June 22 | 5:30-7 pm | Providence Park
The Blues Fest will be partying with the fans at the Portland Timbers Game on Saturday, June 22. Catch LaRhonda & Steele Band outside the stadium before the game. Get tickets for the game, or just pop outside of Providence Park for free and bring your dancin’ shoes!
WBF PRESENTS: THE BLUES BROTHERS AT HOLLYWOOD THEATRE
Saturday, June 29 | Q&A: 5:45 pm, Film: 6 pm | 4122 NE Sandy Blvd
The Waterfront Blues Festival presents a special screening of The Blues Brothers with a Q&A session with special guest Curtis Salgado, the inspiration for the movie! Get your tickets at hollywoodtheatre.org.
Official LATE NIGHT SHOWS
After the festival grounds close each night, there are great places to keep the party going, with official Waterfront Blues Festival Late Night Shows including:
JACK LONDON REVUE | 529 SW 4th Ave
July 2: Okonski
July 3: Jack Londo’s After Hours Assembly
July 4: Afro Dead
Visit jacklondonrevue.com for more info and tickets.
THE DOWNBEAT | 433 NW 4th Ave
July 2-5: A Down Home Blues, Funk & Soul Party featuring Tony TC Coleman’s Band
Visit thedownbeatbar.com for more info and tickets.
WHITE EAGLE SALOON | 836 N Russell St
July 3: Chad Rupp’s Waterfront Blues Festival After Hours Pro-Jam
Visit mcmenamins.com/white-eagle-saloon-hotel for more info and tix.
airbnb experiences
We’re SO excited to introduce two special Airbnb Experiences during this year’s Waterfront Blues Festival week!
Wanna stretch out that dancin’ body before the fest? Join Amber Reed of Wild Reed Yoga for Morning Yoga on the Airbnb Stay & Sway Stage. Amber has been cultivating community, wellness, and mindful movement in Southeast Portland for over a decade and she’s bringing all that good energy to Waterfront Park. Beat the crowds before the fest and enjoy a 60 min yoga class on stage with river breezes and cityscape views (festival entry is also included!). We can’t think of a better way to start your day.
July 3 + 4, 8:00-9:00 am
Record Collectors! Whether you’re in town for the fest or local to PDX, don’t miss your chance to go record shopping with the one and only DJ Rev Shines. You’ll dip into Music Millenium and Jackpot Records- two of Portland’s legendary record shops for a deep dive into the bins. Rev’s spent his entire life collecting records in Portland—and worked with artists, DJs, and collectors from around the world. Part history lesson, part neighborhood walk, and part treasure hunt.
July 2 + 3, 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
