Saturday, November 5, 2011

Portland's Holiday Scene

Here are a few classic Holiday Happenings not to be missed.

The Christmas Ship Parade

The 2011 Christmas Ship Parade is in it's 57th year.  The Christmas Ship fleet averages about 55 to 60 boats between the two Columbia and Willamette fleets.  Both fleets will be out every night for two weeks beginning December 8, 2011 and running nightly through December 20, 2011.  The fleet will do a special performance in Camas, Washington on December 3, 2011.  As this is a volunteer organization not all boats make it out every night.  If you haven't seen the parade it is a delight, so bundle up grab some friends and pick a river.  This has always been a part of my Holiday Traditions.


16th Annual Holiday Ale Festival

This year's event will be Wednesday, November 30 - Sunday, December 4, 2011.
The winter season holds many gifts for beer lovers in the form of big, bold ales designed to fend off the cold chill of a long winter's night.  Each year, the Holiday Ale Festival annually gathers up dozens of these winter warmers for a joyous five-day celebration.  As a result, this quintessential Portland event has earned a reputation as the premier winter beer tasting venue on the West Coast.

Held in the heart of downtown Portland. the Holiday Ale Festival keeps attendees warm and dry under a large clear top tent that covers Pioneer Courthouse Square while allowing for views of the city lights.  Gas heaters create a cozy ambiance under the boughs of the regions largest decorated Christmas trees.

More than 40 plus breweries will be featured at this year's event, all of which are created specifically to bring warmth and cheer to the holiday season.  These aren't beers you'll find in the supermarket- these brewers have put together special recipes just for the Holiday Ale Festival.  From Belgians and Barley wines to Porters and Stouts, these beers are rich, robust and full of complex flavors.  There will be 12 plus special tapping's in celebration of the festivals 16th anniversary.

Come hoist a pint and toast to the spirits of the season.


The Tree Lighting Ceremony

On the day after Thanksgiving Portlanders will gather at Pioneer Courthouse Square to celebrate the official start of the season by lighting the spectacular 75 foot Tree provided by Stimson Lumber Company.  This years event will feature a holiday sing-a-long featuring  my favorite Pink Martini, members of the Oregon Symphony, and the Pacific Youth Choir.  With a big tree, lots of lights and a great community sing-a-long this is an event you won't want to miss.  We all have a little Who-ville in us so grab your mittens.