They also tie us to the river that nurtured our growth as a community, and remind us of our native bond to it. To promote what other people will be doing to commemorate the millennium and Portland s birthday, we established a sanctioning process that gives the city s official approval and offers the use of the celebration 2000 logo and listing on the POVA website. To receive the application form or to get more information, you can contact Pioneer Courthouse Square, The Rose Festival Association, POVA, or my office. We know the celebrations will begin with New Year s Eve and continue as the Rose Festival kicks off the celebration of Portland s birthday with their June 2001 program. Now let me share with you what we know will be happening on New Year s Eve.
Recent surveys indicate that people are staying home more than ever before.
With this in mind, I want to encourage people to celebrate close to where they live, and to take advantage of the many events that will be happening in neighborhood restaurants and venues throughout the city. Tying in with our efforts to promote volunteerism, both McMenamins and the Convention Center events will display brochures listing volunteer opportunities for people to take and use. If the river is the soul of our city, Pioneer Courthouse Square is the heart of our downtown. The Square will be hosting a free family-oriented concert with popular swing bands Royal Crown Revue and Dem Brooklyn Bums. It will be an alcohol-free event, and plans include large screens with live broadcasts from around the world and our city, and the display of laser lights and fireworks at midnight.