What sounds like a Portlandia episode, really is Portland’s 8 Track Relay: 24 hours of continuous running and live music is the new annual event at the Portland International Raceway. The inaugural festival had runners going day and night around the racetrack as music played continuously. The reasonably priced ticket included camping, a giant water slide, a roller derby track, a kickball and touch football field, a yoga lawn, a huge bonfire and fireworks that went on longer than many Fourth of July displays. With booking by Mississippi Studios, the festival’s musical lineup included some of Portland’s most celebrated bands, such as Menomena, Blitzen Trapper, Quasi, and AgesandAges. Former mayor Sam Adams was originally on the bill but for an unknown reason, he canceled his set. Fred Armisen did make an appearance though. The committed, comically self-titled relay teams were awarded 8 track cassettes along with gold trophies.
An ambitious endeavor offering tons of activities, 8 Track Relay has a potential to become a Portland tradition especially with optional camping right in the midst of things or off secluded in the sparse woods. Plus, real bathrooms are nice! The attendance was low, but organizers explained that they wanted it that way to work out the kinks. Plus, it was in competition with the free PDX Pop Now! Festival and Portland International Beerfest.
Late night dancing with Nurses and Lovers was beautiful after the raging bonfire. Runners reported having a fabulous time and especially enjoyed having a safe place to run all night. Next year 8 Track Relay is definitely in my forecast.
Schedule
10:00am – GATES OPEN & RELAY CHECK-IN BEGINS
Noon – Helvetia
Noon – WATER PARK OPENS
1:00pm – Lost Lander
2:00pm – RELAY RACE STARTS
2:00pm – Lemolo
3:00pm – AgesandAges
4:00pm – Quasi
5:00pm – The Cave Singers
7:00pm – Talkdemonic
8:00pm – Menomena
10:00pm – FIREWORKS
10:00 – Nurses
11:00 – BONFIRE LIGHTING
11:30 – Lovers
12:30am – 2:15am – DJ Beyonda
2:30am – Magic Fades
3:30am – Bubblin DJs Lincolnup and Ben Tactic
6:15am – Morning Ritual
7:00am – Michael Hurley
8:00am – Denver
9:00am – Federale
9:00am – WATER PARK RE-OPENS
10:00am – The Builders & The Butchers
11:00am – Wild Ones
Noon – Lake
1:00pm – THEEsatisfaction
2:00pm – RELAY RACE FINISH
2:00pm – Blitzen Trapper
3:30pm – END OF FESTIVAL