Weird Portland United

File:The Unipiper entertaining a crowd gathered in front of the Bagdad Theater in Portland, Oregon.jpg in front of Bagdad Theatre in southeast Portland's Richmond neighborhood in 2015) in 2018.]]

The nonprofit organization Weird Portland United (WPU) was founded by Brian Kidd (known as the Unipiper) in 2018 in an effort to "Keep Portland Weird".{{Cite web |title=Organization aims to fulfill bumper sticker's call to 'Keep Portland Weird' |url=https://www.opb.org/article/2023/11/03/keep-portland-weird-unipiper/ |access-date=2024-11-10 |website= |publisher=Oregon Public Broadcasting |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2019-01-22 |title=The Unipiper starts 'Weird Portland United' to make Portland even weirder |url=https://www.kgw.com/video/entertainment/culture/cassidy-quinn/the-unipiper-starts-weird-portland-united-to-make-portland-even-weirder/283-57e738a5-6a54-47c1-b42d-fe1be01db763 |access-date=2024-11-10 |website= |publisher=KGW |language=en-US |archive-date=2019-04-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190423061123/https://www.kgw.com/video/entertainment/culture/cassidy-quinn/the-unipiper-starts-weird-portland-united-to-make-portland-even-weirder/283-57e738a5-6a54-47c1-b42d-fe1be01db763 |url-status=live }} According to Willamette Week, WPU's mission "includes everything from awarding grants to emerging talent with an eye for eccentricity to acting as a clearinghouse for events and places with a flair for the bizarre". The newspaper said the organization also "aims to make our time stuck in traffic spiked with quirk by purchasing billboard space throughout the city and reserving them for weird-use only."{{Cite web |date=2019-01-15 |title=One of the City's Most Popular Local Celebrities Has Started a Nonprofit Dedicated to Keeping Portland Weird |url=https://www.wweek.com/culture/2019/01/15/one-of-the-citys-most-popular-local-celebrities-has-started-a-nonprofit-dedicated-to-keeping-portland-weird/ |access-date=2024-11-10 |website=Willamette Week |language=en |archive-date=2019-01-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190115220407/https://www.wweek.com/culture/2019/01/15/one-of-the-citys-most-popular-local-celebrities-has-started-a-nonprofit-dedicated-to-keeping-portland-weird/ |url-status=live }} The Oregonian has said WPU was established to "[raise] and [distribute] money to keep Portland's unique creative spirit alive and kicking".{{Cite web |last=Meunier |first=Andre |date=2019-07-21 |title=Oregon Brewers Festival kicks off Wednesday with Unipiper's 'full flame and sound' |url=https://www.oregonlive.com/beer/2019/07/oregon-brewers-festival-kicks-off-this-week-with-unipipers-full-flame-and-sound.html |access-date=2024-11-10 |website=The Oregonian |language=en |archive-date=2024-04-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240419034054/https://www.oregonlive.com/beer/2019/07/oregon-brewers-festival-kicks-off-this-week-with-unipipers-full-flame-and-sound.html |url-status=live }} "Weirdo Memberships" cost $10 per month, or $100 per year, and the group also accepts donations from businesses and individuals.

WPU distributed $500 grants in 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic.{{Cite web |date=2020-05-23 |title=Keeping Portland Weird during Covid |url=https://www.kgw.com/video/life/keeping-portland-weird-during-covid/283-d4c225f5-7a99-429f-b486-885545b4e50c |access-date=2024-11-10 |website= |publisher=KGW |language=en-US}} The Keep Weird Alive grant program offered assistance to artists.{{Cite web |date=2024-09-05 |title=Calling All Weirdos to Oaks Park this Weekend |url=https://www.wweek.com/arts/2024/09/05/calling-all-weirdos-to-oaks-park-this-weekend/ |access-date=2024-11-10 |website=Willamette Week |language=en |archive-date=2024-09-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240906024427/https://www.wweek.com/arts/2024/09/05/calling-all-weirdos-to-oaks-park-this-weekend/ |url-status=live }} WPU and the Portland Street Art Alliance have collaborated on a series of murals.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2024-02-12 |title=The Unipiper! |url=https://katu.com/amnw/am-northwest-special-guests/the-unipiper |access-date=2024-11-10 |website= |publisher=KATU |language=en}}

File:Darcelle at Keller Fountain.jpg (pictured in 2012), who also attended the first Weird Portland Gala in 2019.]]

WPU collaborated with Portland Brewing in 2019 to help with the organization's launch; proceeds from Unipiper Hazy IPA sales benefitted WPU.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2022-04-02 |title=Gigantic Brewing kicks off beer line celebrating Portland starting with the Unipiper IPA |url=https://katu.com/news/local/gigantic-brewing-kicks-off-beer-line-celebrating-portland-starting-with-the-unipiper-ipa |access-date=2024-11-10 |website= |publisher=KATU |language=en |archive-date=2022-05-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220527220900/https://katu.com/news/local/gigantic-brewing-kicks-off-beer-line-celebrating-portland-starting-with-the-unipiper-ipa |url-status=live }}

The organization has collaborated with Gigantic Brewing several times. In 2023, WPU and Gigantic collaborated on the Darcelle Blonde IPA, a beer commemorating drag performer Darcelle XV. A release party hosted by Poison Waters was held at Darcelle XV Showplace.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2023-03-14 |title=Portland brewery, non-profit team up for Darcelle Blonde IPA |url=https://www.portlandtribune.com/business/portland-brewery-non-profit-team-up-for-darcelle-blonde-ipa/article_15892218-c2ac-11ed-8d52-3f4486ca0ee0.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230314220442/https://www.portlandtribune.com/business/portland-brewery-non-profit-team-up-for-darcelle-blonde-ipa/article_15892218-c2ac-11ed-8d52-3f4486ca0ee0.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 14, 2023 |access-date=2024-11-10 |website= |publisher=KOIN |language=en |via=Portland Tribune}} In 2024, a beer commemorating Mill Ends Park was released with "Portland's shortest parade" for "the world's smallest park". Proceed from sales of the Portland Elvis Gold Lager benefited local Elvis impersonator John "Elvis" Schroder after his home eviction.{{Cite web |date=2024-06-27 |title=Gigantic Brewing Releases Portland Elvis Gold Lager |url=https://www.wweek.com/drink/2024/06/27/gigantic-brewing-releases-portland-elvis-gold-lager/ |access-date=2024-11-10 |website=Willamette Week |language=en |archive-date=2024-09-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240905182416/https://www.wweek.com/drink/2024/06/27/gigantic-brewing-releases-portland-elvis-gold-lager/ |url-status=live }} WPU and Gigantic also partnered on the Santa Clones Winter Warmer beer in 2024. The beer commemorates Santa Clones, an annual Christmas display by Chris Willis.{{Cite web |last=Elhelw |first=Amal |date=2024-11-09 |title=Portland's 'Santa Clones' come to life in a new brew |url=https://www.kptv.com/2024/11/09/portlands-santa-clones-come-life-new-brew/ |access-date=2024-11-10 |website= |publisher=KPTV |language=en}}

Among the organization's fundraising events is the Weird Portland Gala.{{Cite news |date=October 27, 2023 |title=Calling all weirdos! The Weird Portland Gala returns! |url=https://www.koin.com/news/portland/calling-all-weirdos-the-weird-portland-gala-returns/ |publisher=KOIN |access-date=November 10, 2024 |archive-date=December 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231218013343/https://www.koin.com/news/portland/calling-all-weirdos-the-weird-portland-gala-returns/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2019-11-05 |title=Celebrate the city's oddities at the Weird Portland Gala |url=https://www.oregonlive.com/entertainment/2019/11/celebrate-the-citys-oddities-at-the-weird-portland-gala.html |access-date=2024-11-10 |website=The Oregonian |language=en |archive-date=2022-01-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220117032658/https://www.oregonlive.com/entertainment/2019/11/celebrate-the-citys-oddities-at-the-weird-portland-gala.html |url-status=live }} The first Weird Portland Gala and Costume Party was held at Polaris Hall in North Portland in 2019. Hundreds of people attended, including former mayor Bud Clark and Darcelle XV.{{Cite web |last=Graves |first=Mark |date=2019-11-08 |title=Portland's weirdest stars gather for first Weird Portland Gala (PHOTOS) |url=https://www.oregonlive.com/news/g66l-2019/11/a5e3dced2c6209/portlands-weirdest-stars-gather-for-first-weird-portland-gala-photos.html |access-date=2024-11-10 |website=The Oregonian |language=en |archive-date=2024-09-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240912040853/https://www.oregonlive.com/news/g66l-2019/11/a5e3dced2c6209/portlands-weirdest-stars-gather-for-first-weird-portland-gala-photos.html |url-status=live }} WPU's first major public event, called Portland Weird Fest, was held at Oaks Amusement Park in 2024.{{Cite web |last=Barr |first=Allison |date=2024-09-08 |title=Portland Weird Fest celebrates everything 'delightfully strange and wonderfully odd' |url=https://www.oregonlive.com/portland/2024/09/portland-weird-fest-celebrates-everything-delightfully-strange-and-wonderfully-odd.html |access-date=2024-11-10 |website=The Oregonian |language=en |archive-date=2024-09-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240920121459/https://www.oregonlive.com/portland/2024/09/portland-weird-fest-celebrates-everything-delightfully-strange-and-wonderfully-odd.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Vondersmith |first=Jason |date=2024-08-29 |title=Aurelia Stardancer says: Discover and celebrate your weirdness at Portland Weird Fest |url=https://www.portlandtribune.com/lifestyle/aurelia-stardancer-says-discover-and-celebrate-your-weirdness-at-portland-weird-fest/article_40e2cf7a-6587-11ef-9a2e-a7b1e14bdf29.html |access-date=2024-11-10 |website=Portland Tribune |language=en |archive-date=2024-08-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240829075300/https://www.portlandtribune.com/lifestyle/aurelia-stardancer-says-discover-and-celebrate-your-weirdness-at-portland-weird-fest/article_40e2cf7a-6587-11ef-9a2e-a7b1e14bdf29.html |url-status=dead }} The festival had activities for children, a beer garden, a costume contest, performance art, and vendors.

Gigantic has also hosted WPU socials.{{Cite web |last=Acker |first=Lizzy |date=2024-02-23 |title=5 ways to celebrate leap day in Portland |url=https://www.oregonlive.com/trending/2024/02/5-ways-to-celebrate-leap-day-in-portland.html |access-date=2024-11-10 |website=The Oregonian |language=en}}

Kidd was the president of WPU in 2019.{{Cite news |last=Boddie |first=Ken |date=October 28, 2019 |title=Where We Live: Weird Portland United |url=https://www.koin.com/local/multnomah-county/where-we-live-weird-portland-united/ |publisher=KOIN}} He has described the group as "the only 501-c-3 dedicated to keeping Portland weird".{{Cite news |last=Scheffler |first=Daniel |date=August 28, 2023 |title=WEIRD TOWN, USA |url=https://www.spin.com/2023/08/weird-town-usa/ |work=Spin |access-date=November 10, 2024 |archive-date=May 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240523000928/https://www.spin.com/2023/08/weird-town-usa/ |url-status=live }} Christine Lassiter is the president as of 2024.

{{Reflist}}

{{Portal|Oregon}}

• {{Official website|https://weirdportlandunited.org}}
• {{Cite news|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/portland/news/2020/02/21/from-the-unipiper-heres-portlands-weirdest.html|title=From the Unipiper, here's Portland's weirdest nonprofit|work=Portland Business Journal|date=February 21, 2020|first=Andy|last=Giegerich}}

Category:2018 establishments in Oregon

Category:Culture of Portland, Oregon

Category:Non-profit organizations based in the United States

Category:Organizations based in Portland, Oregon

Category:Organizations established in 2018