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PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Friday marks the first day of Portland Staycation, a chance for Portlanders to rediscover downtown and for city leaders to bring it back.
Portland Staycation is a first-of-its-kind central city takeover that organizers say will put downtown back on the map.
Friday through Sunday, Portlanders can take advantage of local hotels, take in local art, eat local food, hear some local music, and really just get out and about for a jam-packed weekend in the Rose City.
This comes at a pivotal time in the city.
Just a couple weeks ago, President Donald Trump described living in Portland is ‘like living in hell‘, referring to the ongoing Immigration and Customs Enforcement protest in South Portland.
KOIN 6 News has also covered the continued calls for safety across the city, after a recent deadly shooting, and a stabbing weeks later near the Portland Central Library.
Despite all of that, even out-of-towners are happy to see where the city is going.
“I thought, you know, this is a great city and had some great vibes. And we walked several blocks, several blocks to our hotel. And, you know, it was nice. I think Portland’s getting a bad rap and what we’ve had, a great time,” said Candace and Joe Bouschard.
The couple is actually from New Hampshire and are just stopping through Portland on a separate trip. During their visit, they stopped for a late-afternoon beverage at Midtown Beer Garden, where people can enjoy local atists playing all weekend as part of the Portland Staycation. The event also includes hotel discounts, dining specials and special events.
“Tonight we have folk in country, we’ve got rock, we’ve got pop, we’ve got electronic, we’ve got hip-hop, so we’ve got it all,” said Julia Granet, with PDX Pop Now. “We want everyone who makes music to apply, and to join us at these festivals, because it’s important.”
After catching local tunes, people can walk up and down the streets of Old Town to take in the storefront art displays as part of the No Vacancy art project.
“The No Vacancy window gallery coincides with Staycation. We’re excited hat there will be more people, more foot traffic, more people looking for experiences that they can have with their kids, with their family, with their friends,” said Matthew Claudel, with No Vacancy.
Portland Staycation has more information about the full list of events.
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Ariel Iacobazzi
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