Only in Portland would parallel parking become a spectator sport — and the city is here for it. The 2nd Annual Parallel Parking Competition rolled back onto a small street in Southeast Portland over the weekend, drawing hundreds of enthusiastic onlookers and doubling in size compared to its inaugural year, according to reports from OPB and KOIN.

This year’s event grew big enough to attract an official partner: the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) joined in on the fun, lending the competition an extra layer of civic spirit. What started as a quirky neighborhood idea has clearly struck a chord with Portlanders looking for lighthearted community entertainment.

Competitors tested their skills in one of driving’s most dreaded maneuvers, squeezing into tight spots while crowds cheered them on from the sidewalks of the Southeast Portland street. The event’s growth from its first year to its second speaks to the kind of grassroots, only-in-Portland creativity that turns an everyday frustration into a reason to gather and laugh together.

PBOT’s involvement signals that city officials are embracing the event’s community-building energy. Having a municipal transportation agency show up — not to regulate, but to participate — added a welcome and playful twist to the proceedings.

With attendance surging and an official city partner now on board, the Parallel Parking Competition looks poised to become a beloved annual tradition on Portland’s community calendar. If the momentum continues, year three may need an even bigger street.

Sources: Oregon Public Broadcasting – OPB, koin.com