Action-Packed Weekend in August Offers a Little (or a Lot) for Everyone – Sport Oregon Voices
Oregon flexes its sporting muscle during one epic weekend of signature events, Aug. 23-25
In Oregon, we pride ourselves on the quality of our wide-ranging participation and spectator sporting events. And perhaps there’s no better example of this broad spectrum of sporting interest in our state than the impressive list of upcoming attractions coming up during one action-packed weekend later this month.
While some events are new and some are firmly entrenched as area traditions, there’s something for just about every sports enthusiast over the weekend of Aug. 23-25.
Starting with a new event, the inaugural Rockstar Energy Open will be held at Waterfront Park in downtown Portland from Aug. 23-25. Rockstar Energy Drink has teamed up with premier action sports veterans and creators of Platfrm – an all-new content destination – to launch the new event.
The Rockstar Energy Open aims to celebrate Portland’s skateboarding community while uniting skateboarding pros and up-and-coming street and park skateboarders on imaginative courses built to showcase the skills of the world’s best skaters. In addition to street and park competitions, the event will feature live music, art installations and more attractions to celebrate the unique culture of the sport and the city.
The inaugural event is free and open to the public, with VIP upgrade options available for an elevated experience. The timing of the Rockstar Energy Open is ideal, too, as it comes on the heels of the Paris 2024 Olympics. Interest in skateboarding is sure to be riding high after seeing the best in the world compete in a number of events during the summer Olympics.
At Portland International Raceway (PIR), the 2024 BITNILE.COM Grand Prix of Portland will take place Aug. 23-25. The three-day racing event represents Round 14 of the 17-race NTT INDYCAR SERIES and marks the 40th anniversary of the inaugural professional open-wheel race held at PIR and won by Al Unser, Jr., in 1984.
This year’s NTT INDYCAR race also marks the 30th running of the Grand Prix of Portland. In total, the 2024 BITNILE.COM Grand Prix of Portland features 10 total races from five different open-wheel series.
In 2023, Alex Palou clinched NTT INDYCAR SERIES championship with a win at the Grand Prix of Portland, which returned to PIR in 2018 after an 11-year absence.
BITNILE.COM Grand Prix of Portland website
Also coming up that action-filled weekend is the time-honored tradition of the Providence Hood to Coast and Providence Portland to Coast. Known as the most popular and largest running/walking relay race in the world, the annual event draws participants from more than 40 countries and all 50 states each year and has sold-out 36 straight years.
“The Mother of All Relays” offers the chance for teams of 8-12 members to experience all the wonderful terrain of Oregon, starting from picturesque Mount Hood and ending on the beaches of the Oregon Coast.
This year, the Providence Hood to Coast celebrates 42 years, while the Portland to Coast marks its 33rd edition. Whether it’s the traditional 196-mile relay starting at the mountain, or the shorter 128-mile Portland to Coast, it’s a uniquely Oregon experience to behold and a major attraction to Oregon’s sporting landscape.
Providence Hood to Coast & Providence Portland to Coast website
On the same weekend down in Eugene, BMX riders from around the country will descend on the city to participate in the USA BMX 2024 Lumberjack Nationals, which will take place Aug. 23-25. Held near Autzen Stadium, this event is hosted by Emerald Valley BMX, which has put on similar events in the area for decades.
Known for its modernized track, this event always seems to inspire lots of action. The Eugene stop is part of the extensive USA BMX National Series schedule that started in January and is set to conclude in early December.
Sports play such a important role in our quality of life in Oregon. And while there’s always something going on in the state when it comes to sporting activities, the impressive weekend of Aug. 23-25 is a shining example of the range of events our state attracts.