CORRECTED: Downtown Portland’s Newest Park Opens In Style June 25th, Unveiling A Plaza Dedicated To Portland Drag Queen Built By Public-Private Partnership (Photo) - 06/17/26
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 17, 2026
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Monice Wong, Media Relations Manager
Downtown Portland’s Newest Park Opens in Style June 25th, Unveiling a Plaza Dedicated to Portland Drag Queen Built by Public-Private Partnership
Following a June 18th Ribbon Cutting, Darcelle XV Plaza Invites All to a “Spectacular-Spectacular Party” on June 25th Featuring State and Local Leaders, Drag Performances, the Oregon Symphony, Dancing, and More
Correction from original release, revisions made on "June 25th Spectacular Grand Opening Party Details" section
PORTLAND, OR — On June 18th, Downtown Portland’s newest park Darcelle XV Plaza opens with a ribbon cutting, but make sure to also get your cameras and dancing shoes ready for the June 25th “Spectacular-Spectacular Grand Opening,” a musical celebration of love, creativity, and the legacy of a Portland LGBTQ+ icon who uplifted the community in the face of discrimination.
The Plaza is opening in stages, and all of the following events are free and open to the public:
- City of Portland Ribbon Cutting on June 18th at 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. — Hosted by the City of Portland, featuring a live choir, speakers, and snacks and refreshments. Details
- Spectacular Grand Opening Party on June 25th at 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. — Details below.
- “I Do at Darcelle’s Mass Wedding” on July 18th at 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. — A mass wedding during Portland’s Pride weekend, officiated by renowned local drag performer Poison Waters. Sign-Up Now
The new plaza at the corner of Southwest Park Avenue and Harvey Milk Street is dedicated to the legacy of Walter Cole, a drag performer known by the stage name Darcelle XV whose Showplace is the longest-running drag cabaret on the West Coast. Darcelle also received the Guinness World Record at 89 years old for being the World’s Oldest Performing Drag Queen.
Darcelle XV Plaza is one of the first public parks in the country named for a drag performer. Amidst erasure of public programs for diversity, equity, and inclusion across the country, the Plaza’s opening represents the permanence of Portland’s commitment to celebrating diversity.
The opening is the culmination of years of public-private partnership between Downtown Portland Clean and Safe and Portland Parks and Recreation. Downtown Portland Clean and Safe, which already manages Director Park, and the Visit Downtown Campaign, will manage activations and events in the Plaza.
Walter Cole/Darcelle XV’s daughter Maridee Cole Woodson adds, “The Plaza is a great honor for our family from the city my father loved. We take great pride in knowing how thrilled he would be that his legacy will live on at a gathering place of happiness, love and unity. Our family feels immense gratitude to everyone who helped make this a reality in Darcelle‘s name.”
Portland City Councilor Dan Ryan, who is the third openly queer member of Portland City Council, states, “When Darcelle passed, I reached out to the family for their blessing on our efforts to rename O’Bryant Square to Darcelle XV Plaza. By upgrading this important public space, we’re both honoring Darcelle’s legacy and contributing to downtown Portland’s ongoing renaissance. I’m so proud that this reimagined plaza has become a reality and that it reflects Darcelle’s welcoming, whimsical, wonderful nature.”
Andrew Hoan, President and CEO of the Portland Metro Chamber, adds, “Darcelle XV Plaza represents Portland in many ways – our commitment to celebrating love in all its forms, uplifting creative pioneers, and coming together in moments of adversity
“It also represents what is possible through public-private partnership. Alongside Portland Parks and Recreation, Downtown Portland Clean and Safe and the Visit Downtown Campaign have built and now manage this new, modern downtown gathering space that will serve the community and visitors for years to come.”
Renovations taking place over the past two years have transformed the plaza from a derelict plot to a vibrant community space. A local family and minority-owned general contracting team managed the process, and most of the contractors and sub-contractors were local Pacific Northwest businesses.
The Plaza will include a built-in stage and catwalk, a much-needed Downtown dog area, sail shade structures, and rescued iron work from historic buildings in Portland’s Old Town area.
The opening of Darcelle XV Plaza kicks off Downtown Portland Clean and Safe’s citywide Summer of Love series, which is a joyful celebration of love in Portland that spans events at both Darcelle XV Plaza and Director Park.
June 25th Spectacular Grand Opening Party Details:
- Doors open at 5 p.m., program starts at 6 p.m.
- Program hosted by iconic local drag queen Poison Waters in collaboration with Darcelle’s (Walter Cole’s) family
- Remarks by state and local leaders, including an important state guest!
- Performance by legendary New York City drag queen Sable Scities
- Performances by the cast of Darcelle XV Showplace
- Musical Performance by the Oregon Symphony
- Food & beverage options from Flock, Straightaway Cocktails, Migration Brewery, and more.
- More Information
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About Darcelle XV Plaza: As part of its ongoing commitment to vibrant, welcoming public spaces, Downtown Portland Clean & Safe will manage programming and daily activation at Darcelle XV Plaza in partnership with Portland Parks & Recreation. This public-private collaboration ensures the plaza is not only beautifully maintained, but actively programmed with events, performances, and community gatherings that bring people together. Through this partnership, the plaza will serve as a dynamic, inclusive space in the heart of downtown — designed to foster connection, support local culture, and create a consistent sense of energy and belonging for Portlanders and visitors alike. Learn more at DowntownPortland.org/Darcelle-Plaza
About Downtown Portland Clean & Safe: The Downtown Portland Clean & Safe District was established in 1988 to support additional cleaning and security in a 273 block-area of Portland's Central City. In addition to these important services, the district supports market research, retail recruitment and retention for Downtown Portland. The district is managed by the Portland Business Alliance under the direction of the district's board of directors.
About the Visit Downtown Campaign: Visit Downtown is a program run by Downtown Portland Clean & Safe and the Portland Metro Chamber with additional funding from the City of Portland. Learn more at DowntownPortland.org.
