Darcelle XV Plaza Grand Opening: A beautiful night for Portland

On the evening of June 25, despite cloudy skies and a little rain, nothing could stop Portland from showing up for the "Spectacular-Spectacular" Grand Opening of Darcelle XV Plaza. It was exactly the kind of night Darcelle would have loved.

June 29, 2026

Photography by Elle Hygge

Celebration and performances

The program, hosted by iconic Portland drag queen Poison Waters alongside Darcelle’s family, drew together performers, city leaders, and Portlanders of all backgrounds for a night of music, joy, and community pride.

Performances included:

  • The cast of Darcelle XV Showplace
  • Oregon Symphony
  • Legendary New York City drag queen Sable Scities

Thank you to the local vendors providing food, drink, and activities:

  • Straightaway Cocktails
  • New Avenues for Youth/Ben & Jerry’s
  • Flock Food Hall
  • Migration Brewing
  • Event Cosmetics

Remarks and proclamations

The evening carried real weight alongside the celebration. Oregon Governor Tina Kotek attended and spoke, joined by her wife — a meaningful presence at an event centered on Portland’s enduring commitment to LGBTQ+ inclusion.

Remarks:

  • Oregon Governor, Tina Kotek
  • Portland Metro Chamber CEO, Andrew Hoan
  • Portland City Councilor, Dan Ryan
  • Walter Cole’s family

Proclamations:

  • The first went to Portland City Councilor Dan Ryan. As the third openly LGBTQ+ person elected to Portland City Council and former Commissioner-in-Charge of Parks, Ryan championed the renaming of O’Bryant Square and led the transformation of a long-closed downtown space into a civic gathering place. He saw not a vacant block, but an opportunity, and he saw it through at a time when many questioned the future of downtown altogether.
  • The second went to Walter Cole’s family. For more than half a century, they shared him with Portland, and in doing so, helped generations of LGBTQ+ Oregonians feel seen, welcomed, and valued. The proclamation recognized not just Darcelle the icon, but Walter the father, neighbor, and friend, who spent his life showing Portland that love, humor, and generosity are powerful forces for change.

What’s next

The grand opening couldn’t have landed at a better moment. July is Portland Pride Month, and Darcelle XV Plaza, one of the first public parks in the country named for a drag performer, now serves as a permanent, public symbol of what this city stands for, right in the heart of downtown at the corner of SW Park Avenue and Harvey Milk Street.

The Summer of Love is just getting started. Downtown Portland Clean & Safe and the Visit Downtown Campaign have a full season of programming planned at Darcelle XV Plaza and Director Park.

Special events:

  • July 17 – Pride Ride presented by Travel Portland: Join Poison Waters for a family-friendly, 1.5-mile bike ride through downtown Portland, stopping at landmarks from the city’s LGBTQ+ history.
  • July 18 – “I Do at Darcelle’s” Mass Wedding: Celebrate Portland Pride weekend with a mass wedding officiated by Poison Waters at Darcelle XV Plaza. Sign up now.

Event calendar

View the Darcelle XV Plaza event calendar.

Darcelle XV Plaza is managed by Downtown Portland Clean & Safe and the Visit Downtown Campaign in partnership with Portland Parks & Recreation. Learn more at DowntownPortland.org/Darcelle-Plaza.