Dave Knows Portland

September 5, 1986: MAX Light Rail Debuts

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Newer MAX train at a stop - with famous Dave Knows Portland ad!TriMet‘s first Metropolitan Area Express light rail line (better known as MAX) opened to the public on Friday, September 5, 1986 (The Oregonian, 6 September 1986).

Tri-Met’s long-awaited light-rail system opened Friday under sunny skies and an aura of good will as thousands of local residents took advantage of free rides and crowded aboard the sleek new trains for a trip on the 15-mile line between Portland and Gresham.

“MAX is open for business – let the rides begin,” said James E. Cowen, Tri-Met general manager, as he officially opened the system to the public at 12:26 p.m. at Pioneer Courthouse Square following a round of opening ceremonies at various stations along the line.

Since 1986 the system has expanded from its original 15 miles and 30 stations to 52 miles and 85 stations on multiple lines.

August 31, 1997: Low-Floor MAX Cars Debut, Two New Stations Open

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On Sunday, August 31, 1997 TriMet celebrated the debut of the new low-floor MAX trains at brand new Kings Hill Station. Yards away the Civic Stadium (now Jeld-Wen Field) MAX station also opened that day (The Oregonian, 1 September 1997).

Tri-Met introduced Portland to the nation’s first low-floor light-rail cars Sunday, putting smiles on the faces of riders, especially those who use wheelchairs.

The low-floor vehicles, costing $2.5 million each, eliminate the steps and mechanical lifts needed to board MAX’s high-floor cars. Within a year, every two-car train will have at least one low-floor car on the expanded rail system from Gresham to Hillsboro.

The first of the low-floor cars went into service Sunday, the same day Tri-Met opened two new stations on the line heading west of downtown.

“This really eliminates having to use wheelchair lifts and having to slow the system down,” said Bob Pike, sitting in a wheelchair on a low-floor car. “It enables someone in a wheelchair to get on the train in the same way everyone else does.”

MAX was the first light-rail system in North America to use the low-floor cars, which were manufactured in Sacramento. The Kings Hill and Civic Stadium stations debuted a year before the Westside MAX Blue Line opened.

Weekend Amusements (August 12-14, 2011)

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It’s Baconfest weekend! Plus there’s a whole lot of other stuff to do, including the Alberta Street Fair, Bridge Pedal, Movies in the Park, Adult Soap Box Derby, and more!

All Weekend

Columbia Gorge International Film FestivalColumbia Gorge International Film Festival

The fourth annual Columbia Gorge International Film Festival takes place August 10 through 14, 2011 in Vancouver, Washington.

The official selections include several films with Portland connections, including Patrick’s Story, produced by Portland-based Galaxy Sailor Productions, Portland-based filmmaker Jacqueline Gault‘s Sack Lunch, and others. The festival program includes brief descriptions of these and all the other selections. [more]

Movies in ParksMovies in the Park

Movies in the park this weekend:

Friday: Gamara vs Guiron (live dialogue & music) @ Sewallcrest Park
Saturday: James and the Giant Peach @ Dickinson Park
Sunday: Tangled @ Hazeltine Park [more]

Friday

Portland StreetcarPortland Streetcar 10th Anniversary Celebration

The Portland Streetcar celebrates 10 years of service this summer.

The modern Portland Streetcar debuted on July 20, 2001, carrying passengers between the Good Samaritan Hospital in Northwest Portland to Portland State University in Southwest.

This is a free, all ages, celebration open to everyone! [more]

Twilight CriteriumPortland Twilight Criterium

The Portland Twilight Criterium returns to the North Park Blocks (near NW 9th and Couch) this Friday, August 12, 2011 . . .

Assuming you’re not racing, I recommend watching from the beer garden, which features a happy hour from 4-6pm! Festivities include a Food Carts Expo, a Handbuilt Bike Exhibition, and a chance to meet the women of the Rose City Rollers. [more]

Saturday

PDX Adult Soap Box Derby PDX Adult Soap Box Derby

The 2011 PDX Adult Soap Box Derby takes place this Saturday, August 13 on Mt. Tabor.

“Once a year a brave group of racers convene on the daunting slopes of Mt. Tabor to test their metal to their mettle. These pages are dedicated to all those who have spilled their blood, or even worse, spilled their beer. We thank our beloved volcano for allowing us to
tickle her spine.” [more]

Alberta Street Fair 2011Alberta Street Fair

The 2011 Alberta Street Fair takes place this Saturday, August 13 on Alberta, from NE 10th through 30th.

Things kick off at 11am with the Kids Parade – which starts at 15th and ends at the 21st Avenue stage. Enjoy the line up of activities for kids and families throughout the day. [more

Baconfest!Portland Baconfest

Portland’s third annual Baconfest takes place Saturday, August 13, 2011. The street party runs from noon until 8pm at 18th and East Burnside – adjacent to the East Burn (1800 E Burnside).

Over 2000 bacon lovers attended last year’s fest, thoroughly lubricating their cardiovascular system and contributing over 900 pounds of food for the Oregon Food Bank. [more]

Outpost Block Party 6Outpost Block Party 6

The 6th annual Outpost Block Party takes place this Saturday, August 13, 2011 at Kenilworth Park (SE 32nd and Holgate) from 1pm until 10pm.

SE PORTLAND’S ORIGINAL BLOCK PARTY returns with a massive lineup, a new location, and a whole new look… BUT STILL FREE! [more]

Portland’s Black Panthers: Comic Release and PresentationPortland’s Black Panthers: Comic Release and Presentation

Join The Dill Pickle Club, Portland’s creative cultural club, on Saturday, August 13, 2011 for Portland’s Black Panthers: Comic Release and Presentation.

“The Black Panthers have a rich and important history in Portland—this new comic from the Dill Pickle Club tells their story.” [more]

Sunday

Bridge PedalBridge Pedal

Join us for the 16th anniversary celebration of Providence Bridge Pedal this Sunday!

Since 1996, Providence Bridge Pedal has grown to be a signature event on Portland’s summer event calendar. It offers you the one opportunity each year to enjoy the Willamette River bridges – including the top decks of the Fremont and Marquam bridges – from the best possible vantage point: the seat of a bicycle. [more]

And for even more weekend events and activities, check out the Dave Knows Calendar, and visit Around the Sun, Blogging Portland on the Cheap, PDX Pipeline, and Oregon Events at OregonLive.com.