From micro-brewed beer and food carts, to Pinot Noir and James Beard Award-winning chefs, Portland is a mecca for the epicurious.
We’re also known as a big bunch of, well, tree huggers. With green living and sustainability at the core of the city’s ethos, the tree-hugging label is well earned, and in most circles worn as a badge of honor. And last year, roughly 1,000 Portlanders gathered at the Hoyt Arboretum to demonstrate our tree hugging prowess and set a world record in the process.
That’s right: According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the largest tree hug (most people simultaneously hugging trees in one place) was recorded last year in Portland, with a whopping 936 official huggers.
Since that record setting day in July 2013, there have been a number of failed attempts around the globe to dethrone Portland as Tree Hugger USA. Not the sort of town to just rest on its arbor-loving laurels, the event is back this year. And according to “ Hug a Tree at Hoyt ” this year’s event will be “ Bigger. Better. Huggier.” In the perfect marriage between event and venue, the hug is set for July 20th at the Hoyt Arboretum.
But there’s more to it than a single, loving embrace of timber. Picnicking is encouraged. There will be games, live music, and information available on a number of environmental topics. The event takes place at 2 pm on the 20th of July and pre-registration is encouraged. Visit the Hug a Tree at Hoyt web page or Facebook page for more information, including an incredibly detailed demonstration on proper tree hugging technique.