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Vortex Meadow

From Oregon Hikers Field Guide

The Vortex Meadow today (bobcat)

Description

In late August, 1970, at the height of the Vietnam War, President Richard Nixon was scheduled to visit an American Legion convention in Portland, and the authorities and peace groups feared violent demonstrations. Cannily divining that a large portion of the potential protestors could be seduced by rock 'n roll and the freedom to toke in a public space, Governor Tom McCall used taxpayer money to help sponsor and support an outdoor concert, Vortex I - also dubbed "A Biodegradable Festival of Life", at Milo McIver State Park. While the concert had originally been conceived by counterculture peace groups, state officials provided the space and turned a blind eye to public nudity and the use of marijuana (as well as stronger drugs).

As it turns out, Nixon canceled his visit at the last minute, but the festival was held and became one of the largest rock concerts of the time. The event did not attract any big-name musicians, but it was free, and on a weekend day, the line of cars waiting to get in was continuous from Portland to Estacada. No one knows the actual attendance - figures range from 30,000 to 100,000 - but the peace groups proved their point by pulling off a well-organized event. Free clinics were set up, and there were stands giving away organic produce. A huge "kitchen" had sous-chefs stirring a vegetarian goulash with canoe paddles. Volunteer "valets" took care of the parking problem. The National Guard provided assistance with setting up facilities.

Attendees could camp down by the Clackamas River near the Riverbend Trailhead. Saunas provided some relaxation. Skinny-dipping was a popular pastime, but the number of sunburned penises kept volunteer medics busy. In the Vortex Meadow, a huge wood stage was set up to host the mostly local bands, some of which were characterized as "so-o-o awful." The festival lasted a week, and there were no serious injuries or incidents, other than a few LSD overdoses. The event acquired a new name: "The Governor's Pot Party." Small demonstrations were held in Portland at the time of the Legion convention, but they were disciplined and peaceful. Vortex remains the only state-sponsored rock concert in U.S. history.

The meadow once had an airstrip used by a model plane club, and there was a picnic area here for several years. An episode of Grimm was filmed here in 2017.

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