06/19/2026
Before we celebrate our big winners, we need to have a real, heart-to-heart talk about the future of the Portland Festival.
We all know that after being canceled in 2025, this year was a make-or-break. If we didn't bring it back for 2026, that was likely going to be the end of the festival for good. Our tiny team poured everything we had into the event to keep that from happening.
It was way too much for a board of our size to take on. We aren’t some big corporation, and this isn’t run by the city. It’s just a small group of your neighbors working behind the scenes. We cannot do it again like this. We have to have more help, or the 2027 festival is absolutely at risk.
Everyone was mad and complained when it got canceled last year, but the reality is that none of those people stepped up to help bring it back. If we want to see this tradition continue for another 50 years, we have to look out for each other. Bring your family, your neighbors, and your friends. Hold each other accountable and step up for your community.
We are pleading for help.
How you can help: Join a committee and come to our regular festival meetings. To make 2027 happen, we need consistent help throughout the entire planning process starting this fall, not just the weekend of the event.
- No experience needed! Most of our current board started with zero experience. We will learn together!
- Manageable time commitment: We usually only meet once a month, though we ramp up right before the festival.
- We're flexible: Life gets busy; you don’t have to make every single meeting, just do your best to attend as many as you can.
📩 Ready to step up? Email us at [email protected] and stay tuned for our upcoming fall community meeting dates!
🎉 Now, let's celebrate our 2026 Winners! 🎉
A huge round of applause to everyone who brought so much excitement to this year's festival!
🎟️ Raffle Winners
50/50 Raffle: Ashley Mullins
Kenmore Washer & Dryer: CW Ludwig
Lottery Basket 1: Karen White | Lottery Basket 2: Shirley
Pottery Basket: Evie O'Connell
Handmade Quilt: Linda Hamilton
3D Printed Portland Lantern: Bolton
Handmade African Tribe Placemats & Louisville Fiber Supply GC: Art Baltes
KY Science Center GC, Bearno’s & Mastercard GC: Susan Rich
Filson Historical Society Tickets & Collecting Kentucky Book: R. Belton
Day at the Races / Top Golf & Texas Roadhouse GC: Will
Mike's Car Wash & Papa John’s GC: Jersey
Kroger, Olive Garden, Insomnia Cookies, & Outback GC: Hope
Circe Spa GC, Insomnia Cookies & Mastercard GC: Shannon Lynch
👶🐾 Contest Winners
Cutest Baby: Gia (Parents: Geoff Holmes & Jenna Embry)
Cutest Pet: Chief (Parents: Kathy & Tony Dennis)
🎺 Parade Winners (please message us if you haven’t received your trophy yet!)
Best Overall Float: Ballet Folklorico ArteMex
Best Kids’ Float: Portland Youth League
Best Group Performance: Yellow Jackets Marching Band
Best Portland Spirit: Portland Museum
Best Costume/Mascot: American Horrorplex
Best Classic Car: Justin Loflin
Best Cool Car: India Shaw
Thank you all for an unforgettable year. Let's work together to make 2027 even better.
