The Oregon Trout City of Portland Triathlon exists by the good graces of the Willamette River. In 2008, the triathlon will serve as kick-off weekend for a brand new event coming to this city: RiverFest.

In the midst of organizing the first edition of the triathlon in 2007, we kept meeting people and organizations doing good things to improve the quality of this 187-mile river. Non-profit organizations like Oregon Trout, Willamette Riverkeeper, and Salmon-Safe were quietly going about their work at the same time the City of Portland was working on the Big Pipe Project to divert stormwater runoff. It became apparent that these stories were not being told to the citizens living along its banks.

In April of 2007 a meeting was convened to assess interest in a new summer festival celebrating the river. Representatives from both the public and private sector came together with engaged citizens to spearhead the organization of this new event. In late August of 2008, the vision will become reality.

Ten days of on, above, and in-the-river fun will headline RiverFest. The triathlon will serve as the kick-off event, and it will be joined by boat parades, sailing regattas, dragon boat races, public art, community tables, concerts, an urban adventure race, canoe and kayak paddles, and much, much more.

The perfect ending to a glorious summer awaits you and your family at the Oregon Trout City of Portland Triathlon. Come enjoy RiverFest, and see what's happening on the river, by the river.