Sardines Party

Make Portland Weirder is putting on the Sardines Party on Friday, October 30, from 6 PM to 9 PM. It's a city-wide game of reverse hide-and-seek that ends in a free, sea-themed party at a secret location in Portland, which they'll announce as the night goes on. Hundreds of seekers follow a trail of SMS clues that get more specific as the evening unfolds, until they all land at the same spot.

The party is all-ages, with music, food, and drinks. On-theme costumes are required: you can come as a cannery worker, a giant fish, or simply 'the ocean.' The whole thing leans into the city's eccentric streak, right alongside the World Naked Bike Ride, the Portland Adult Soapbox Derby at Mt. Tabor Park, and Mill Ends Park, the world's smallest park.

There are two things you need to know before you sign up. First, advance registration is required because capacity is limited. Second, you have to be able to receive SMS messages to get the clues, since that's how the game works. If you're in, the party itself is free.