Have you ever wanted to be a mermaid? The Portlandia Mermaid Parade and Festival invites everyone to dress up as merfolk or other mythical water creatures for a walk downtown.
Since 2016, the Portlandia Mermaid Parade has been a free grassroots artistic event celebrating our community’s connection to Portland’s rivers and all things mermaid and water mythology. It is a family-friendly, body positive and identity inclusive event open to all.
The name Portlandia honors Raymond Kaskey’s river goddess sculpture that currently sits atop the Portland Building entrance.
Here’s how you can participate or watch the 2023 event.
Portlandia Mermaid Parade and Festival
The Portlandia Mermaid Parade and Festival is Saturday, July 29, from 12-5 p.m. Participation in the parade is free, open to all ages and you do not need to register in advance.
The theme of the 2023 event is Queens of the Sea: Shellabrating the art of Drag in Portland.
This year, a drag race is kicking off the opening ceremony of the parade. You can register to be part of the drag race for free. Contestants must be 18+
The event begins at Tom McCall Waterfront Park. The parade starts at the Japanese Historical Plaza and travels South to Poet’s Beach. The route is travels along sidewalks and is ADA friendly. The parade will take 30-45 minutes.
Get your best merfolk or mythical water creature costume ready and join in on the fun. Small decorated hand push floats, wagons, bicycles, and pedi-cabs that can fit on the sidewalk are welcome.
Festival schedule
- 12 noon Merfolk gather.
- 12:30 p.m. Opening ceremony begins.
- 2 p.m. Parade starts.
- 3 p.m. Mermaid beach party and group photo shoot.
The event is free to attend. For more information, visit Portlandia Mermaid Parade’s website.
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Tom McCall Waterfront Park
Naito Parkway between SW Harrison Street and NW Glisan Street
Portland, OR 97204