STORY:
Portland 2000 party plans being made

Around the world, events planners and travel agents have circled their calendars in preparation for the millennium. Trophy party venues such as Timberline Lodge and two of Portland Spirit's three cruise boats have already been booked. Want to go to the Space Needle? Well, you're about nine years too late. Several Portland-area families gobbled up Seattle's most famous symbol after a discussion among themselves led to their reserving it in 1989.

In Portland, however, the pace has been anything but frantic. According to an article in Portland's Business Journal, many local venues haven't even planned to plan for the upcoming holiday. Those that have are beginning to fill up as early birds claim their space in what is predicted to turn into the battle ground of the century as the fateful date approaches and prices are announced.

Many hotels in the Northwest are either taking a wait-and-see approach, hoping to assess the interest before setting prices on their yet-to-be named package, or they are relying on tried and true New Year's standards, with prices adjusted accordingly. Some places that have come up with a plan include the Benson Hotel, the zoo, The Resort at the Mountain, the Multnomah Athletic Club, Chinook Winds Casino, Portland Spirit and Shilo Inn at Lincoln City. Each has come up with its own unique event for every type of holiday reveler at various income levels.

The Resort at the Mountain is offering a two-night package with a Brigadoon theme. Meanwhile, down on the beach, you can go Back to the Future with the Shilo Inn at Lincoln City. The Shilo promises to take revelers through time with visits to rooms decked out in such themes as the Wild Wild West, Prohibition and Happy Days. The lower ballroom of DoubleTree's Janzen Beach location has been reserved since August of 1996.

The Business Journal reports the World Trade Center, the indoor facility has been booked, but the outdoor patio is still available for you and 6,999 of your closest friends. The zoo is continuing with its annual sleepover for the wee ones (ages 9 to 13). With activities planned throughout the night, your children can enjoy supervised fun while you release your inner child.

Places offering more mature entertainment include the Benson, which is offering a millennium package for up to 200 couples to "enjoy whatever they desire." As one of the locations that has made plans early, the options at the Benson are becoming limited. Half of the rooms have already been reserved. Only one grand suite, three penthouse suites, 19 junior suites and 80 deluxe guest rooms remain. Portland Spirit Cruises is offering those 21 and older the chance to ring in the new year on the Willamette River with unlimited champagne and a swing band.

The Business Journal also says local landmarks such as Timberline Lodge and McMenamins Edgefield lodge are booked. Timberline was rented out about two years ago. Edgefield has a waiting list, which lists three times as many names as there are rooms. Area venues still available include the Convention Center, which tentatively will host a group of 5,000 Christians; the Rose Garden; and Memorial Coliseum. The Business Journal says the Winter Hawks will hold their annual New Year's Eve game and subsequent non-alcoholic party in one of the two buildings, leaving the other available.

DATE: 2/05/99

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