Waterfront Blues Festival to offer excessive heat accommodations

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — The Waterfront Blues Festival has announced it will be offering accommodations to help guests manage the forecasted excessive heat slated to hit the Portland metro area this weekend.

The festival runs from Thursday, July 4, through Sunday, July 7, the exact span of time that the National Weather Service has issued an excessive heat warning.

To help people manage the heat while still enjoying world-class music on the banks of the Willamette River, the organizers of the Waterfront Blues Festival said they will offer "several accommodations" this year. They also said they are taking the safety of not only attendees but staff and performers "very seriously." The accommodations for guests include:

• Several tented and tree-shaded areas 
• Water misting cooling stations 
• Unlimited free water at water stations throughout festival grounds. Factory-sealed water bottles and empty refillable bottles are allowed inside the festival; and additional bottled water, reusable cups, and ice will be available on-site as well. 
• Fully staffed and prepared first-aid tent to assist anyone feeling signs of heat-related concerns. 
• NEW: Updated Umbrella Policy: The festival has adjusted its policy to ALLOW personal-sized umbrellas (up to 62”) for the 2024 festival. Group/patio umbrellas are still prohibited.
• NEW: In partnership with the Portland Marriott Downtown Waterfront hotel, there will be a Waterfront Blues Festival Chill Center located on the second floor of the hotel. The Chill Center is air-conditioned and will be open to all festival attendees from 12 pm - 9 pm July 4-7. As a 2024 heat-related courtesy to our GA 1-Day ticketholders, guests may request a special wristband at all exit gates to visit the Chill Center and receive re-entry to the festival. All other ticket holders already have re-entry included in their ticket.

The National Weather Service's excessive heat warning for the Portland area begins at noon on Thursday and runs until 11 p.m. Sunday night. Friday, Saturday and Sunday could see the Rose City entering triple digits, according to KOIN 6 Meteorologist Kelley Bayern's forecasts.