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Welcome to Portland

The clouds loom overhead and threaten rain between sun breaks. There's so much to do, you aren't sure where to start! Before you, there is an eclectic array of craft breweries and shuffle-board bars, the largest new and used independent book store in the world, and more strip clubs per capita than Las Vegas. A member of the bike-to-work community whizzes past as laptops glow in dimly-lit coffee houses that serve up Portland's finest ground delights. Below you, the Shanghai Tunnels lurk, a reminder of the city's darker days.

And then you hear it. Sounds of bodies crashing against one another, knee pads scraping across the floor, and excited screams demanding more. Is it an action movie, or maybe a football game? No ma'am, it's ROLLER DERBY!

Welcome to NORTHWEST KNOCKDOWN, the WFTDA's 2008 National Tournament! The do-it-yourself women of the Rat City Rollergirls and the Rose City Rollers have joined together to put on the greatest derby tournament to date! For three action-packed days, the national roller derby scene will descend upon our fair city. Skaters and derby fans from across the country will crowd the bleachers to witness the top eight teams battle it out at the Portland Expo Center. Who will come out on top in 2008? Who knows! Make your travel plans now!

About the Rose City

Portland, Oregon is a unique city at the confluence of the Columbia and Willamette rivers. A city known variously as Stumptown, Bridgetown, Beertopia, Puddletown, and the Rose City, Portland thwarts definition by catering to the whims of all walks of life, from the bohemian-hippie culture on Hawthorne to art collectors in the Pearl District. Consistently listed as one of the greenest cities in the United States, a full quarter of Portland's population commutes to work on bicycle and the city boasts the largest wooded urban park in the country. You might also notice some familiar names as you walk down the street of Portland such as Flanders, Quimby, and Terwilliger ... all names used by Portland native Matt Groening in The Simpsons.

Don't forget to take some extra time to explore the Portland Metro area. To appreciate the fruits of our rainy season, visit the Rose Gardens, Japanese Garden, or Arboretum, located in Washington Park which also is home to the Oregon Zoo. Distinctive neighborhoods host a wide array of restaurants where you can get a taste of the Pacific Northwest and beyond. For those interested in shakin' their money-maker, Portland boasts pubs, dance clubs, and karaoke bars galore where you can dance the night away to DJs and local bands. As an added bonus, Portland's convenient public transit system can safely shuttle you from the airport to downtown, from the Expo Center to after-parties, and everywhere in between. Rental cars, phooey!

Any way you choose to spend your time, we welcome skaters and derby fans to the Rose City! Be prepared, for in a city that seeks to Keep Portland Weird, anything can happen! If you have questions about travel, lodging, or what to do while you're in town, please contact F-Bomb at fbomb@rosecityrollers.com for more information. And thanks for coming!