Update: Come celebrate our city! Our first official 503 Day block party is coming up May 3, 2025. RSVP here.
We are happy to announce the official songs of 503 Day — the new, very real holiday to celebrate Portland.
The City Cast Portland podcast solicited songs from listeners for the holiday, and some excellent submissions came in.
If you want to celebrate 503 Day by crooning from your porch front or winning at karaoke night (the first song at least should work for that), here are two excellent tunes:
- From Mel Ortiz (aka Miss Heard), there’s “Can’t Wait for 503,” to the tune of “Thank You for Being a Friend,” (A pink Kate Spade dinosaur bag croons the lyrics in the music video.)
Can't wait for 503,
Portland's very own holiday
It's on May 3
Quirky, fun, and weird as can be.
And we will throw a party
Bring by a food truck or two
There will be a ton of coffee and homebrews,
And the doughnuts from Voodoo
Can't wait for 503.
Our city on a beautiful day. (Rachel Monahan / City Cast Portland)
- And the Swindon Blot (aka Andy Giegrich) gave us “503 Day Land,” an all-original tune and lyrics:
Nearby ocean, mountains, forests, deserts, home
Leave us alone, leave us alone
Before 503 Day, we shut off our phones
Leave us alone, leave us alone
On 503 Day, we're outside with coffee and a shot
The ragged dogwoods blossom and the dog park garbage rots
But 503 Day makes it better
503 Day makes it better
503 Day is a joyous time of year
Another gear, another gear
We will sing for all of those who keep us weird
Another gear, another gear
On 503 Day, we'll emerge from fields filled with hops
Our food carts bustle, street fairs loom near vegan doughnut shops
Yes 503 Day makes it better
503 Day makes it better
RSVP Here
