The Bite of Oregon is an annual festival and fundraising event for Special Olympics Oregon that takes place at Tom McCall Waterfront Park in downtown Portland. It is a celebration of some of the many things that make Oregon unique, highlighting our abundant quality of life in terms of our food, drink, entertainment, and community. As you experience the Bite, you’ll discover so many reasons why some of us just can’t leave Oregon, and why others keep coming back. With downtown Portland being one of the easiest destinations to get to by bus, there’s no excuse not to journey down to what is sure to be one of the tastiest events of the summer.
Food:
This year’s theme is Oregon’s Bounty, and as expected, some of Oregon’s culinary finest will be there in full force to bring you delicious preparations using Oregon’s local seafood, beef, blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, potatoes, dairy, and more. Bites at each vendor will range from $2 – $9, and between the Oregon Bounty Chef’s Table, food carts, specialty food vendors, and desserts, the offerings are sure to please the most discerning palate.
Drink:
With a whopping 718 vineyards, 314 wineries, and more than 40 varieties of wine, Oregon is one of the top wine destinations for wine connoisseurs and amateurs alike. The tap also flows freely with an abundance of beer in Oregon, with 120 brewing companies in the state. Though these breweries are spread across 59 cities in Oregon, Portland boasts 51 operational breweries, more than any other city in the world. Some of the finest of these libations will be on site to sample, as well as many non-alcoholic choices as well.
Entertainment:
The Bite has all your entertainment bases covered. With two music stages and a full lineup each day of the festival, the Garden Stage and Vineyard Stage provide top notch local musical artists. There’s even a Kids Area Stage that’s fun for the whole family, featuring kid-friendly activities including interactive stage performances from the School of Rock, as well as face painting, balloon artist, and much more. And of course it wouldn’t feel complete without culinary entertainment. At the Northwest Chef’s Stage, watch cooking demonstrations, and even Iron Chef competitions with local Oregon chefs.
The 31st annual Bite of Oregon takes place August 8th, 9th, and 10th. For more information including event times and ticket prices, please visit the Bite of Oregon website.
This event is accessible by TriMet bus lines 4, 6, 9, 10, 14, 15, 17, 19, 31, 32, 33, 35, 36, 38, 44, 45, 51, 54, 55, 56, 92, 99, Max Blue, and Max Red. See this complete list for the closest stops to Tom McCall Waterfront Park. Visit TriMet’s trip planner for further assistance in planning your trip.
Photo credit:
Header: Phil Romans on flickr / Bite of Oregon Chef: Loren Kerns on flickr / Tacos: Adam Sawyer / Beer: Adam Fagan on flickr / Stage performer: Electrolatino on flickr
Portland By Bus 