“I didn’t know how much I needed this” was the popular expression overheard by Portlanders decked out in their masks, bikes, shoes, and clothes who traveled Downtown to see this year’s Portland Winter Light (non) Festival installations.
After nearly one year in quarantine, Portlanders expressed excitement for the opportunity to get out of the house for some fresh air. The Willamette Light Brigade announced the free annual Portland Winter Light (non) Festival would move forward and open Friday, February 5.
Technicians and sponsors worked together for weeks to install lights on the pavement, in retail spaces, in addition to thoughtful projected warm messages from office building windows. Some Portlanders expressed concern over Downtown’s negative coverage and how to correctly socially distance; however, the first weekend turned out to be a pleasant, festive, family-friendly time and what some attendees expressed they needed.
Week two of the Festival was disrupted due to the heavy snow. The great news was that some of the light installations remained up for the duration of February for folks who missed the chance to go earlier.
The Portland Business Alliance is committed to helping foster positive activations (such as the Portland Winter Light Festival) in Downtown Portland with co-sponsorship from the Downtown Marketing Initiative and Downtown Clean + Safe.
Be sure to mark your calendars for next year!
Coverage: The Oregonian /KATU / Portland Monthly