Community Agreements & Event Rules
The Portlandia Mermaid Parade & Festival is a proud accomplice in diversity, equity, and inclusion. We are committed to cultivating a space where all people feel welcome, safe, and celebrated. By participating, you are agreeing to help uphold the following community values and shared commitments:
💙 Consent, Respect, and Safety
Costumes do not equal consent. Do not touch anyone—or their costume—without clear, enthusiastic permission.
Harassment of any kind—physical, verbal, or virtual—is never tolerated. This includes hate speech, slurs, intimidation, and discriminatory behavior.
Maintain a peaceful, nonviolent environment. Treat fellow participants, community members, event staff, and city officials with kindness and respect.
Follow all directions from parade guides and staff. They’re here to keep everyone safe and supported.
💙 Substances and Weapons
No open consumption of alcohol or illegal substances during the parade or while on public, business, or private property.
No weapons of any kind may be carried. Exception: Costume props like tridents, staves, and clearly playful water toys are okay as long as they do not resemble real weapons.
💙 Emergency and Crisis Protocol
If you witness a situation that threatens safety or violates community agreements, calmly de-escalate if safe to do so, or seek help from a parade guide or staff member.
Unless there is an imminent threat to life or safety, the parade will prioritize calling on park rangers, mental health professionals, or first aid responders before contacting police. We center community care.
💙 Environmental Stewardship
All rivers lead to the ocean! As merfolk, we commit to reducing our environmental impact.
Pack it in, pack it out. If there are no bins nearby, carry your trash or recycling with you until you find one.
Avoid microplastics like glitter, plastic beads, tinsel, and synthetic shedding when possible—or clean up your sparkly trail!
If swimming at Poet’s Beach, remove any costume elements that could pollute the water. The fish thank you!
Upcycle, hand-make, and reuse materials when building costumes, floats, or accessories. Sustainable creativity is always in style.
💙 Creativity & Access
This is a merfolk-centered event, but all aquatic beings are welcome—from sea witches to selkies to sentient coral.
Costumes are highly encouraged! The more outrageous, handmade, sparkly, or upcycled, the better. Each year’s theme provides a creative current to inspire your look.
Walking tails, swimming tails (for those being pulled or carried), wagons, floats, strollers, and mobility devices are all welcome. Let’s make the parade accessible and fabulous for everyone.
💙 Pets and Companion Animals
We love our furry and scaled companions! Friendly, non-aggressive pets, emotional support animals, and service animals are welcome.
All animals must be leashed or safely secured at all times.
July can be extremely hot—please bring water and be mindful of hot pavement, which can burn paws.
Consider your companion’s comfort—if they’re sensitive to crowds, heat, or loud sounds, it may be best to leave them at home in cooler waters.
Let’s make the parade fun and safe for humans and animal friends!
💙 Photography and Media
Always ask permission before taking close-up photos or videos of individuals.
Official parade photographers may be present. If you do not want to be photographed or filmed, please let a guide know and we’ll do our best to respect your wishes.
By participating, you help co-create a magical, respectful, and joyful space for all.
Let’s celebrate with compassion, express ourselves with care, and leave only bubbles behind.
💙 Consent, Respect, and Safety
Costumes do not equal consent. Do not touch anyone—or their costume—without clear, enthusiastic permission.
Harassment of any kind—physical, verbal, or virtual—is never tolerated. This includes hate speech, slurs, intimidation, and discriminatory behavior.
Maintain a peaceful, nonviolent environment. Treat fellow participants, community members, event staff, and city officials with kindness and respect.
Follow all directions from parade guides and staff. They’re here to keep everyone safe and supported.
💙 Substances and Weapons
No open consumption of alcohol or illegal substances during the parade or while on public, business, or private property.
No weapons of any kind may be carried. Exception: Costume props like tridents, staves, and clearly playful water toys are okay as long as they do not resemble real weapons.
💙 Emergency and Crisis Protocol
If you witness a situation that threatens safety or violates community agreements, calmly de-escalate if safe to do so, or seek help from a parade guide or staff member.
Unless there is an imminent threat to life or safety, the parade will prioritize calling on park rangers, mental health professionals, or first aid responders before contacting police. We center community care.
💙 Environmental Stewardship
All rivers lead to the ocean! As merfolk, we commit to reducing our environmental impact.
Pack it in, pack it out. If there are no bins nearby, carry your trash or recycling with you until you find one.
Avoid microplastics like glitter, plastic beads, tinsel, and synthetic shedding when possible—or clean up your sparkly trail!
If swimming at Poet’s Beach, remove any costume elements that could pollute the water. The fish thank you!
Upcycle, hand-make, and reuse materials when building costumes, floats, or accessories. Sustainable creativity is always in style.
💙 Creativity & Access
This is a merfolk-centered event, but all aquatic beings are welcome—from sea witches to selkies to sentient coral.
Costumes are highly encouraged! The more outrageous, handmade, sparkly, or upcycled, the better. Each year’s theme provides a creative current to inspire your look.
Walking tails, swimming tails (for those being pulled or carried), wagons, floats, strollers, and mobility devices are all welcome. Let’s make the parade accessible and fabulous for everyone.
💙 Pets and Companion Animals
We love our furry and scaled companions! Friendly, non-aggressive pets, emotional support animals, and service animals are welcome.
All animals must be leashed or safely secured at all times.
July can be extremely hot—please bring water and be mindful of hot pavement, which can burn paws.
Consider your companion’s comfort—if they’re sensitive to crowds, heat, or loud sounds, it may be best to leave them at home in cooler waters.
Let’s make the parade fun and safe for humans and animal friends!
💙 Photography and Media
Always ask permission before taking close-up photos or videos of individuals.
Official parade photographers may be present. If you do not want to be photographed or filmed, please let a guide know and we’ll do our best to respect your wishes.
By participating, you help co-create a magical, respectful, and joyful space for all.
Let’s celebrate with compassion, express ourselves with care, and leave only bubbles behind.
⚠️ Safety & Participation Disclaimers
The Portlandia Mermaid Parade & Festival is rooted in joy, creativity, and collective care. Please read the following guidelines and disclaimers to help ensure a safe and magical experience for all.
Personal Safety DisclaimerWhile no specific dangers are expected, all participants should understand that this is a public outdoor event, and some level of risk is always present. The Portlandia Mermaid Parade and its organizers are not responsible for any physical injuries, personal losses, or financial damages that may result from accidents, inclement weather, acts of nature, terrorist activity, or violations of event rules and community agreements.
Swimming Disclaimer – Poet’s BeachSwimming during the Portlandia Mermaid Parade is a swim-at-your-own-risk activity.
⚠️ There are NO lifeguards on duty at Poet’s Beach.
Participants are fully responsible for their own safety while in or near the water.
We strongly recommend:
On Floats and Mobility Devices
On Artistic NudityThe Portlandia Mermaid Parade celebrates artistic freedom and body positivity.
On Pets and Companion AnimalsWe love your furry and feathered friends! That said, parades can be stressful environments for animals. Please use your best judgment:
You are responsible for your pet’s behavior and well-being, as well as the safety of those around them.
On SmokingPlease help us maintain a healthy and comfortable environment for all:
On Self-Care and Heat SafetyThis is a midsummer outdoor event. Please take care of yourself and others:
By participating in the Portlandia Mermaid Parade, you acknowledge and agree to these terms. Thank you for helping us keep this event safe, inclusive, and full of shimmering joy.
Personal Safety DisclaimerWhile no specific dangers are expected, all participants should understand that this is a public outdoor event, and some level of risk is always present. The Portlandia Mermaid Parade and its organizers are not responsible for any physical injuries, personal losses, or financial damages that may result from accidents, inclement weather, acts of nature, terrorist activity, or violations of event rules and community agreements.
Swimming Disclaimer – Poet’s BeachSwimming during the Portlandia Mermaid Parade is a swim-at-your-own-risk activity.
⚠️ There are NO lifeguards on duty at Poet’s Beach.
Participants are fully responsible for their own safety while in or near the water.
We strongly recommend:
- Lifejackets for children and those who are not strong swimmers
- Avoid swimming in monofins or mermaid tails unless you are an experienced swimmer with prior tail training
- Do NOT tie your legs together or attempt stunts—this is unsafe and not part of responsible mermaid culture
On Floats and Mobility Devices
- Motorized or vehicular floats are not permitted (excluding mobility aids for accessibility).
- Hand-pushed floats, wagons, or carts are welcome, so long as they fit within standard sidewalk widths and do not obstruct pathways.
- Floats that are too large or unsafe will not be allowed. Please reach out in advance with questions about dimensions or designs.
On Artistic NudityThe Portlandia Mermaid Parade celebrates artistic freedom and body positivity.
- Portland does not have laws prohibiting toplessness.
- However, public indecency laws are subject to interpretation by law enforcement.
- We suggest the use of pasties, shells, or body paint to reduce potential misinterpretation or confrontation.
- The parade and its organizers accept no liability for any citations or legal consequences related to nudity.
On Pets and Companion AnimalsWe love your furry and feathered friends! That said, parades can be stressful environments for animals. Please use your best judgment:
- Friendly, non-aggressive pets, emotional support animals, and service animals are welcome, but must remain leashed or safely secured at all times.
- Summer heat, hot pavement, loud sounds, and crowds may pose risks to animal companions.
- Be sure to bring water, shade, and waste cleanup supplies.
- Aggressive or reactive animals should not attend, especially as this is a family-friendly event with children present.
You are responsible for your pet’s behavior and well-being, as well as the safety of those around them.
On SmokingPlease help us maintain a healthy and comfortable environment for all:
- Do not smoke (any substance) in crowd areas during the parade.
- If you must smoke, step away from group spaces to do so.
- Dispose of cigarette butts in proper containers to prevent fire risk and pollution.
On Self-Care and Heat SafetyThis is a midsummer outdoor event. Please take care of yourself and others:
- Bring sunscreen, water, a hat, sunglasses, and snacks.
- Know the signs of heat exhaustion and check in with others around you.
- Stay hydrated and seek out shade as needed.
By participating in the Portlandia Mermaid Parade, you acknowledge and agree to these terms. Thank you for helping us keep this event safe, inclusive, and full of shimmering joy.