The Portland Trail Blazers and Moda are proud to announce the third annual Rip City Relay. Beginning Monday, Sept. 14, a team of Trail Blazers ambassadors and staff will embark on a week-long journey around the state of Oregon, engaging with Trail Blazers fans all along the way. The first two Rip City Relays visited 15 communities in Eastern and Central Oregon, and along the Oregon Coast, all to showcase the Trail Blazers as “Oregon’s Team.”
This year, Klamath Falls will mark the starting line for the relay with a celebration at Veterans Memorial Park on Sept 14. Trail Blazers personalities and Moda representatives will then activate the communities in Medford (Sept. 15), Roseburg (Sept. 16), Albany (Sept. 17) and Woodburn (Sept. 18) as the relay team moves along the I-5 corridor back to Portland.
“The Rip City Relay has become one of the best ways for our organization to interact with Trail Blazers fans all over the state,” said Chris McGowan, President & CEO of the Trail Blazers and Rose Quarter. “Passionate fans live well beyond the city of Portland, and we’re honored to bring a piece of the Trail Blazers to five more incredible communities.”
An entire day of events are being scheduled in each city along the route, and everyone who participates in the festivities will be encouraged to sign a basketball as a symbol of their involvement and support for the Trail Blazers. As part of the Trail Blazers’ and Moda’s partnership to showcase healthy and active living, events will focus on providing activities for kids, including school assemblies and basketball clinics.
Supporting partners of this year’s relay include Bi-Mart and Energy Trust of Oregon. Energy Trust of Oregon, a new partner of the Trail Blazers that has been instrumental in Rose Quarter sustainability efforts, will be handing out free home energy savings kits and limited edition Trail Blazers shirts as part of a free home energy review at all stops on the relay.
The visit in each city along the route will conclude with a ceremonial flag raising with city officials, followed by the Rip City Fair, a free, community gathering from 4-6 p.m. featuring activities for all ages. Affiliates along the Trail Blazers Radio Network will participate in the festivities in each city (Klamath Falls – 1240 KRJW; Medford – 730 KEZX; Roseburg – 1490 KSKR; Albany – 1340 KLOO; Woodburn – Rip City Sports Radio 620).
Below are the locations for each Rip City Fair along the route:
- Klamath Falls, Sept. 14 – Veterans Memorial Park (10 George Nurse Way)
- Medford, Sept. 15 – Location to be announced
- Roseburg, Sept. 16 – Stewart Park (2058 West Stewart Park Drive)
- Albany, Sept. 17 – Albany City Hall (333 Broadalbin Street SW)
- Woodburn, Sept. 18 – Woodburn Public Library (280 Garfield Street)
Many Trail Blazers personalities will participate in different legs of the relay, including Founding Broadcaster and Ambassador Bill Schonely, Broadcasters Mike Barrett, Mike Rice, Brian Wheeler and Antonio Harvey, Blaze the Trail Cat and members of the BlazerDancers.
Trailblazers.com/ripcityrelay will provide updates and information all along the relay, and fans can follow the relay’s progress on Twitter @RipCityRelay and by using the hashtag #RipCityRelay.