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News Release

“I Do At Darcelle” Invites Couples To Say Yes At Downtown Portland’s Newest Park - Mass Wedding, July 18 - 05/07/26

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

May 6, 2026  

 

MEDIA CONTACT:  

Monice Wong, Media Relations Manager 

mwong@portlandalliance.com 

 

“I Do at Darcelle” Invites Couples to Say Yes at Downtown Portland’s Newest Park 
Darcelle XV Plaza to Kick Off Summer of Love with Mass Wedding During Pride Weekend on July 18th  

 

PORTLAND, OR — Love takes center stage this summer at Portland’s newest park, Darcelle XV Plaza. Poison Waters, Voodoo Doughnuts, and more partners will welcome couples into the spotlight for “I Do at Darcelle,” a one-of-a-kind mass wedding celebration during Pride Weekend on Saturday, July 18, 2026, from 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM at Darcelle XV Plaza, located at SW Park Avenue and Washington Street. 

 

All couples are invited to say “I do” where love gets the spotlight it deserves. Whether couples are making it official, renewing vows, or celebrating their story with a symbolic ceremony, this event promises a night of fun, flair, and unforgettable memories. 

 

Not your average wedding moment, “I Do at Darcelle” is part of Downtown Portland Clean and Safe’s citywide Summer of Love series and serves as a joyful celebration of Portland’s newest public park.  

 

Designed as a vibrant, inclusive gathering space, Darcelle XV Plaza honors the remarkable legacy of the late Walter Cole, known by the stage name Darcelle XV, and the legacy of the Darcelle XV Showplace, the longest-running drag cabaret on the West Coast. Darcelle XV Plaza is managed by Downtown Portland Clean and Safe and the Visit Downtown Campaign in partnership with Portland Parks and Recreation. 

 

“The Summer of Love at Darcelle XV Plaza is all about showing up for each other and celebrating the many ways we connect as a community,” said Poison Waters, one of Portland’s favorite Drag Queens. “There’s no better way to honor the memory of Walter Cole, Darcelle XV, and the opening of Darcelle XV Plaza, than by filling it with joy, celebration, and love in all its forms.”  

 

"Darcelle's lasting legacy on Portland is that this is a place where everyone is welcome to be their truest self," said Travel Portland President and CEO Megan Conway. "Our work is to inspire visitors, and Travel Portland is proud to support Darcelle XV Plaza's inaugural Summer of Love, which honors the flair, spirit and joy Darcelle brought to Portland." 

 

The evening will feature lively music, high-energy moments, and a dance party to close out the night. Portland drag icon Poison Waters and other fabulous guests will serve as officiants, fully licensed in the State of Oregon, bringing signature sparkle and personality to each ceremony. 

 

As part of the Summer of Love, “I Do at Darcelle” sets the tone for what this new public space is all about: a place to gather, celebrate, and create lasting memories together. 

 

Event Highlights: 

  • All are welcome: Legal weddings, vow renewals, and symbolic ceremonies  
  • No cost to participate: Couples seeking a legal marriage must obtain a Multnomah County marriage license (approximately $60–$65)  
  • Licensed officiant on site  
  • Music, donuts, celebration, and a closing dance party  

Planning to Make It Official? 

Couples planning to wed should register at: https://forms.gle/LNbGMu7W9c9YHsM69 

 

Obtaining marriage licenses: Timing matters. Couples planning a legal ceremony should obtain their marriage license between May 16 and July 15, 2026 to meet Oregon’s three-day waiting period requirement ahead of the July 18 event. 

 

Guest Guidance: 

Couples are encouraged to bring their ride-or-dies, witnesses, and biggest cheerleaders, but keep it tight. “I Do at Darcelle” is designed as a shared celebration, not a traditional large-scale wedding. 

 

About the 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. To learn more: https://www.downtownpdxactivations.com/   

----------------------------------------------------- 

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. 

 

About Travel Portland: Travel Portland generates travel demand that drives economic impact for Portland by promoting the destination in bold, innovative and collaborative ways that harness Portland’s personality and values and that connect visitors to authentic experiences. Learn more at TravelPortland.com 

“I Do At Darcelle” Invites Couples To Say Yes At Downtown Portland’s Newest Park - Mass Wedding, July 18 - 05/07/26

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

May 6, 2026  

 

MEDIA CONTACT:  

Monice Wong, Media Relations Manager 

mwong@portlandalliance.com 

 

“I Do at Darcelle” Invites Couples to Say Yes at Downtown Portland’s Newest Park 
Darcelle XV Plaza to Kick Off Summer of Love with Mass Wedding During Pride Weekend on July 18th  

 

PORTLAND, OR — Love takes center stage this summer at Portland’s newest park, Darcelle XV Plaza. Poison Waters, Voodoo Doughnuts, and more partners will welcome couples into the spotlight for “I Do at Darcelle,” a one-of-a-kind mass wedding celebration during Pride Weekend on Saturday, July 18, 2026, from 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM at Darcelle XV Plaza, located at SW Park Avenue and Washington Street. 

 

All couples are invited to say “I do” where love gets the spotlight it deserves. Whether couples are making it official, renewing vows, or celebrating their story with a symbolic ceremony, this event promises a night of fun, flair, and unforgettable memories. 

 

Not your average wedding moment, “I Do at Darcelle” is part of Downtown Portland Clean and Safe’s citywide Summer of Love series and serves as a joyful celebration of Portland’s newest public park.  

 

Designed as a vibrant, inclusive gathering space, Darcelle XV Plaza honors the remarkable legacy of the late Walter Cole, known by the stage name Darcelle XV, and the legacy of the Darcelle XV Showplace, the longest-running drag cabaret on the West Coast. Darcelle XV Plaza is managed by Downtown Portland Clean and Safe and the Visit Downtown Campaign in partnership with Portland Parks and Recreation. 

 

“The Summer of Love at Darcelle XV Plaza is all about showing up for each other and celebrating the many ways we connect as a community,” said Poison Waters, one of Portland’s favorite Drag Queens. “There’s no better way to honor the memory of Walter Cole, Darcelle XV, and the opening of Darcelle XV Plaza, than by filling it with joy, celebration, and love in all its forms.”  

 

"Darcelle's lasting legacy on Portland is that this is a place where everyone is welcome to be their truest self," said Travel Portland President and CEO Megan Conway. "Our work is to inspire visitors, and Travel Portland is proud to support Darcelle XV Plaza's inaugural Summer of Love, which honors the flair, spirit and joy Darcelle brought to Portland." 

 

The evening will feature lively music, high-energy moments, and a dance party to close out the night. Portland drag icon Poison Waters and other fabulous guests will serve as officiants, fully licensed in the State of Oregon, bringing signature sparkle and personality to each ceremony. 

 

As part of the Summer of Love, “I Do at Darcelle” sets the tone for what this new public space is all about: a place to gather, celebrate, and create lasting memories together. 

 

Event Highlights: 

  • All are welcome: Legal weddings, vow renewals, and symbolic ceremonies  
  • No cost to participate: Couples seeking a legal marriage must obtain a Multnomah County marriage license (approximately $60–$65)  
  • Licensed officiant on site  
  • Music, donuts, celebration, and a closing dance party  

Planning to Make It Official? 

Couples planning to wed should register at: https://forms.gle/LNbGMu7W9c9YHsM69 

 

Obtaining marriage licenses: Timing matters. Couples planning a legal ceremony should obtain their marriage license between May 16 and July 15, 2026 to meet Oregon’s three-day waiting period requirement ahead of the July 18 event. 

 

Guest Guidance: 

Couples are encouraged to bring their ride-or-dies, witnesses, and biggest cheerleaders, but keep it tight. “I Do at Darcelle” is designed as a shared celebration, not a traditional large-scale wedding. 

 

About the 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. To learn more: https://www.downtownpdxactivations.com/   

----------------------------------------------------- 

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. 

 

About Travel Portland: Travel Portland generates travel demand that drives economic impact for Portland by promoting the destination in bold, innovative and collaborative ways that harness Portland’s personality and values and that connect visitors to authentic experiences. Learn more at TravelPortland.com