PORTLAND, Ore. — Couples looking for a unique way to celebrate their love will have the chance to say “I do” at Downtown Portland’s newest public gathering space during Pride Weekend this summer.
“I Do at Darcelle,” a mass wedding celebration at Darcelle XV Plaza, is scheduled for Saturday, July 18, 2026, from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Southwest Park Avenue and Washington Street. The event is part of Downtown Portland Clean and Safe’s citywide Summer of Love series.
Organizers say the event will welcome all couples, whether they are getting legally married, renewing vows or participating in a symbolic ceremony. The celebration will include music, dancing, doughnuts and performances throughout the evening.
Portland drag performer Poison Waters and other licensed officiants are expected to lead ceremonies during the event.
The plaza honors the legacy of Walter Cole, better known by the stage name Darcelle XV, and recognizes the history of the Darcelle XV Showplace, which organizers describe as the longest-running drag cabaret on the West Coast. The plaza is managed by Downtown Portland Clean and Safe and the Visit Downtown Campaign in partnership with Portland Parks & 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,” Poison Waters said in a statement. “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.”
Megan Conway, president and CEO of Travel Portland, said the event reflects the welcoming spirit Darcelle brought to Portland for decades.
Participation in the event is free, though couples seeking a legal marriage ceremony must obtain a Multnomah County marriage license, which organizers say typically costs between $60 and $65. Due to Oregon’s three-day waiting period requirement, couples planning to legally wed are encouraged to secure licenses between May 16 and July 15.
Organizers are also encouraging attendees to keep guest lists small, describing the celebration as a shared community event rather than a traditional large-scale wedding ceremony.
Couples interested in participating can register online through the event’s sign-up form.
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