Level up your summer with fresh finds at deep discounts. | Photos provided by Wayfair
Christmas came early. Wayfair’s Black Friday in July Sale — aka, their biggest sale of the summer — kicks off today, July 26.
Snag up to 80% off on everything from patio furniture and grills to decor and rugs with thousands of sitewide discounts and limited-time flash deals, now through Monday, July 29.
Need some local inspo? Savor the season in style with these City Editor picks, perfect for summer in Portland.
Charcoal grill with smoker: Suns out, buns out — the hot dog kind, of course — but with this on your pack porch, you can take your grill game far beyond burgers.
Steel patio gazebo: Might as well move your living room outside under the shade of this spacious structure.
Outdoor rattan conversation sets: Speaking of furniture, you’ll need extra room for your friends and family to sit, and this couch does the trick.
Rain water collection drum: Summer won’t last forever; when the rain does return, these barrels will set next year’s garden up for success and save your water bill.
“FATHOM” | Friday, July 26-Sunday, July 28 | Times vary | 520 SW Fourth Ave., Portland | $5-$22 | Dive into this interactive oceanic art display of glowing coral reefs, a singing whale, a sparkly angler fish, and other deep-sea wonders.
JAW: Street Dance Showcase | Friday, July 26 | 6-7:15 p.m. | Portland Center Stage, 128 NW 11th Ave., Portland | Free | Local artists will kick off the JAW New Play Festival weekend by demonstrating their street, club, and urban dance skills.
Portland Sketch Comedy Festival | Friday, July 26-Saturday, July 27 | Times vary | The Siren Theater, 3913 N. Mississippi Ave., Portland | $15-$90 | Troupes and performers from across North America are in town, showcasing their talent for short, scripted vignettes or “sketches” crafted to elicit cackles.
Portland Pickles vs. Gresham Greywolves | Friday, July 26 | 7:05 p.m. | Walker Stadium, 4727 SE 92nd Ave., Portland | $14-$30 | If you Feel It Still, head to Lents Park for a ball game and a kids’ birthday bash with Portland’s Grammy Award-winning band, Portugal. The Man.
Saturday, July 27
Pup City 2024 | Saturday, July 27 | 9-11:30 a.m. | Moda Center, 1 N. Center Court St., Portland | $20-$45 | Take your dog on a 1K walk around the Rose Quarter campus led by Trail Blazers mascot Blaze and broadcaster Michael Holton.
Newberg Old Fashioned Festival Grand Parade | Saturday, July 27 | 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | Starts at Renne Field, 699 S. School St., Newberg | Free | Celebrate this community’s showcase of local businesses, marching bands, groups, and residents; stick around for a carnival, live entertainment, food, and fireworks.
Project Pabst | Saturday, July 27-Sunday, July 28 | 12:45-10 p.m. | Tom McCall Waterfront Park, 98 SW Naito Pkwy., Portland | $115-$220 | Catch acts like T-Pain, STRFKR, Billy Idol, Violent Femmes, Manchester Orchestra, and more at this two-day festival.
Sunday, July 28
Pittock Mansion Picnic | Sunday, July 28 | 11 a.m.-3 p.m. | Pittock Mansion, 3229 NW Pittock Dr., Portland | Free | Dearest gentle reader, grace society with your attendance — costumes are “admired, but not required” — and enjoy period games, promenading, and grazing.
Portland-raised UO and NFL quarterback Joey Harrington and Olympian medalists Ashton Eaton and Brianne Theisen-Eaton are among a cohort of new Portland Thorns investors. Eaton, a two-time decathlon gold medalist, praised Thorns players as being “really inspiring”; Theisen-Eaton called the team “the catalyst” for changing the future of women’s sport. (Portalnd Business Journal + The Oregonian/Oregon Live)
Drink Up
How refreshing. Drink Up Week runs through today — our annual celebration of Portland’s drink culture. Local businesses are offering buzzy deals likeMigration Brewing’s $6 Patio Punch made with bourbon, lemon juice, honey syrup, and Patio Pale Ale, so treat yourself and toast to our town’s vibrant bevvy scene.
Eat
Fifty Licks Ice Cream opens its summer pop-up ice cream truck this morning at Bridgeport Village, ahead of Regal Cinema’s live stream of the 2024 Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony. Find sweet scoops (including dairy-free and gluten-free options) in the parking lot through the end of September. (KGW)
Olympics
More than 10,000 athletes will participate in what’s expected to be a historic opening ceremony, which starts today at 10:30 a.m. local time. If your blood races for snowier sports, book a direct flight from Portland International Airport to Salt Lake City, the recently announced host of the 2034 Winter Olympics. (KGW)
Environment
A helicopter will carry logs to Metro’s South Beaver Creek Natural Area near Mt. Hood Community College on Monday, July 29, as part of an ongoing habitat restoration project. The logs will be used to recreate logjams, providing cool, slow-flowing hiding places for young fish like salmon and steelhead.
Award
Moda Center is one of the country’s most environmentally friendly sports venues, according to Front Office Sports. Completed in 1995, Moda Center is the oldest NBA arena of its kind. It received LEED Platinum certification in 2019, launched a reusable cup initiative last year, and is working to slash greenhouse gas emissions. (Front Office Sports + Portland Business Journal)
Feel Good
It’s Friday, the sun is out, and Portland is home to tons of happy hour deals that get you more bev for your buck. You can thank us later.
Listen
Oregon football head coach Dan Lanning spoke at a Big Ten Media Days press conference, officially marking UO’s entrance as a member and fielding a big question about the team’s defense. Get the biggest stories every day from the local experts of the Oregon Ducks with Locked On’s daily podcasts.
Arts
Psst... We’ll let you in on a secret: On the first Thursday of each month, visitors can explore Portland Art Museum for free from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Pro tip: Free First Thursday tickets can be reserved online one week in advance. We’ll see you there, Portland.*
2024’s “it card” is here. Not only does it offer a $200 bonus, but also unlimited 1.5% cash back and 0% intro APR until 2025. (Annual fee? We don’t know her.)*
The tree, also known as the Burrell elm or Rosa’s tree, is “likely the oldest elm in Oregon,” said Hedberg. | Photo courtesy of Portland Parks & Recreation
An elm tree that’s been growing in downtown Portland since about 1870 will be removed by the city over safety concerns.
Known officially as Heritage Tree #1, the elm at 1111 SW 10th Ave. has seen Portland grow from a city of about 90,000 people to a metropolis of over half a million. It was planted in front of the home of Rosetta Burrell, “a notable figure” and “prominent social reformer” of the time, according to Portland Parks and Recreation.
Portland became one of the first cities to include a tree on a historic register in 1975 when the elm was approved by the city’s Historical Landmarks Commission, and it was listed as the first Heritage Tree when the program was launched in 1993.
“It’s a credit to Rosa Burrell and marks the moment when we stopped being ‘Stumptown’ and started being a tree town,” said Heritage Tree historian David-Paul B. Hedberg.
A foldable lap desk — it’s great for those who work from home, college students heading back to school, or anyone looking to read, write, or stream while they sip coffee in bed (read: us).
Of the thousands of Olympic athletes sailing down the Seine today, some four-legged competitors will be notably absent. Yes, the horses. I’m excited to watch the Paris Games’ first equestrian medal events taking place Monday, July 29.
Content marked with an * is paid advertising. Content marked with an ^ is created by our content studio. The company may also generate commission from affiliate links in the newsletter.