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Family enjoys Juneteenth celebration (Photo courtesy Portland Trail Blazers)
By The Skanner News | The Skanner News
Published: 03 June 2024

The Portland Trail Blazers dive into summer by joining a series of community celebrations and events that celebrate the diversity of Rip City.

At various events this summer you’ll find the Trail Blazers taking part in the creation of celebratory spaces for diverse communities. There, they’ll be hosting family-friendly activities and competitions for swag as well as special ‘enter to win’ opportunities for signed Trail Blazers merchandise. Rip City Kids Club members can earn 100 points by attending events.

“Each summer, we continue to dive into the vibrant cultures of Rip City, further connecting with our community in Portland and celebrating their unique experiences and identities,” said Michelle Jalali, Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. “Taking part in these annual events and hosting a few new ones of our own allows us to celebrate the diversity of our communities and ensure we are collaborating with them throughout the entire year”.

Celebration of Black Music

For the second year in a row, the Trail Blazers will be teaming up with Black-owned restaurant and bar, Jackie’s for Rip City Vibes, a celebration of Black music and artists on June 7 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Presented by Ticketmaster, the free event will be hosted by Trail Blazers DJ, DJ O.G. ONE and spotlight six other local Black DJs. As DJs spin tunes, guests can enter a raffle to win a series of Trail Blazers signed merchandise, tickets to the upcoming Moda Center concerts, custom prizes and more. All raffle proceeds will go to the non-profit beneficiary for the event, Friends of Noise. Early arrival is encouraged as the first 150 attendees will have access to exclusive merchandise as well as complimentary food and cocktails. Register ahead of the event at events.ripcity.com/ripcityvibes to join the vibe. This event is 21+.

Latino Cultural Fest

On Sunday, June 30, join the Trail Blazers for the vibrant celebration of the Latino Cultural Fest. In its 17th year, the festival serves as a platform for sharing information, connecting with the community, and promoting local businesses and non-profits to more than 10,000 attendees. Experience a diverse lineup of entertainment that showcases renowned performers and local youth talent while indulging in the delicious flavors of Latin cuisine from a variety of food vendors.

Pride

As the city of Portland shows its Pride for the LGBTQ2SIA+ community at the annual Pride Waterfront Festival and Parade on July 20 and 21, the Trail Blazers will be joining in full force as Blaze, Doug Fur and staff members walk and ride on Trail Blazers-designed UBCO bikes and BIKETOWN bikes.

Throughout the summer fans can also find the Trail Blazers at:

  • Juneteenth Oregon Celebration – Saturday, June 15
    In recognition of Juneteenth, the community will gather at Lillis-Albina Park for a festival encompassing cultural exhibitions, live music, community resources, and local vendors.
  • El Grito – Sunday, September 15, and Monday, September 16
    A two-day annual festival at Moda Center celebrating Latin heritage and culture highlighting traditional performances such as mariachi and providing local Latin small businesses a platform to showcase their best products and delicious food.
  • Restaurant Takeovers – (Details to be announced on their website and social channels.)
    In celebration of Pride, the Portland Trail Blazers are amplifying LGBTQ2SIA+ voices in the community this June by collaborating with a local LGBTQ2SIA+-owned restaurant. At the Takeover, the Trail Blazers provide free swag and open a $500 tab to encourage fans to visit and try food and beverages from the restaurant.

To learn more, visit trailblazers.com/summer. To see highlights of activities, visit Facebook, X and Instagram.

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