PDX -- Bloom Tour 2024 -- THROUGH JUNE 11TH!

Bloom Tour is back!

https://sporktogo.blogspot.com/2023/06/portland-bloom-tour-2023.html

While I appreciate the winter festivals -- and that many of the installations get a second life in other locations -- Bloom Tour is the one that lets you enjoy spring weather.

The displays are more ephemeral, as one would expect with seasonal flowers, but that makes them that much more precious.

Because the winter celebrations tend to focus on light, they also tend to take place after dark. You notice different things about the city in daylight.

I also appreciate Bloom Tour as a conversation starter. One probably only happened because the person saw me taking photos and did a double-take, but for the other a visitor checking into her hotel was stopped first by the entrance display.

Portland has a lot of creative people in its population and a great climate; it's nice that we take some time to make the most of that.

Many of last year's participants have returned, but there are a few changes, and this includes four displays on the East side, along Water Avenue. Some of the display sites have the cards and maps available, which can be helpful.

Of course information can also be found online.

COVID: Most of the installations are either outside or can be viewed from outside. There are a few exceptions.

(And for those exceptions, a surprising amount of places that are closed on Mondays.)

Accessibility: Fantastic. There can be some long walking distances, but public transportation can get you to the locations, and the sidewalks are smooth and wide.

The worst that happened was that construction necessitated crossing to the other side of Broadway, and then crossing back once I was past it.

I can't remember the last time I was in Portland without some construction going on, so that's just to be expected.

The helpful sidewalk markers are in use again.

There's only a few days left, so spend some time in PDX.

https://downtownportland.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/2024-BloomTour-Postcard-0507-no-bleeds.pdf