A Year of Festivals in Portland

	Waterfont at the Blues Festival

Portland, Ore., offers an abundance of ways to enjoy the Good Life.

One way to get a feel for the town is to check out some of the spots favored by locals and time your visit to coincide with one of the numerous festivals scheduled throughout the year.

The City of Roses has gained a reputation for its attention to food and libations, the arts (high and low), and yes, even roses, but it might be more apt to call it the City of Festivals. Regardless of the season, this town shows that it knows how to throw a party, with a variety of events tempting throngs of spectators and participants to eat, drink, shop and be merry.

Thought for Food

It's no surprise that Portland finds plenty to celebrate in the food and drink categories. This is a city where a restaurant such as Dan and Louis' Oyster Bar has thrived in the same location for 100 years, and good fast food doesn't have to be an oxymoron.

Foodies visiting Portland can also enjoy annual events like the Oregon Brewers Festival, marking its 20th year from July 26 to 29, or the Bite of Oregon, Aug. 10 to 12. This event offers local specialties such as Dungeness crab, Pacific salmon and huckleberry and marionberry drinks and desserts, prepared by dozens of the area's top restaurants. Music, comedy, cooking demonstrations and a chefs' competition take place on four stages.

The variety of seasonal brews offered at the Holiday Ale Festival, Nov. 29 to Dec. 2, may encourage dancing around the huge Christmas tree that's a focal point of the celebration. And keep an eye out for the Oregon Seafood and Wine Festival, held every February at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland.

For everyday fare, the counter help at the locally owned Burgerville chain are eager to discuss the provenance of ingredients in the Tillamook cheddar and pepper-bacon burger, and the Pacific Northwest halibut and Yukon Gold potatoes used for fish and chips.

From its open kitchen, Widmer Brothers serves German fare including several kinds of sausage, sauerbraten and schnitzel. The daily specials might include "salmon and Garfunkel" -- fresh-caught wild salmon seasoned with parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme. Servers are happy to recommend beers to pair with each course, including dessert.