Ellis Krakow arrives at Elk Rock Island for the Little Float in Milwaukie, Ore., on Aug. 1, 2026. This marks the second year of the Little Float, a less than half a mile float on the Willamette River from Elk Rock Island to Milwaukie Bay Park.
Saskia Hatvany / OPB
At the edge of Milwaukie Bay Park on Saturday, a small crowd armed with flotation devices of all shapes and colors filed onto the dock. A large pontoon boat complete with a bar and music shuttled in guests. They were all there to take part in the Little Milwaukie Float.
The Downtown Alliance of Milwaukie hosts the annual float to build community around the downtown area, and create a fun, accessible event centered around the Willamette River.
Ross Mattson, who lives nearby in Milwaukie with his family, said this his family’s second time attending the event.
“We just spend a lot of time at the waterfront in general so it’s just nice to spend time in the community like this — and the kids love the boat ride,” Mattson said.
Throughout the day, there was live music in the park, food and an inflatable station.
Hundreds of people floated from Milwaukie Bay Park to Elk Rock Island, a protected natural area, and back.
Brooke Bruno, an avid paddle boarder who has lived in the area since 2010, said she heard about the little float from a friend. She said she frequently recreates on the Willamette in the summer.
“I think there should be more recreational things along the waterfront,” Bruno said. “When I moved here in 2010, I was actually really surprised that there weren’t more restaurants on the water, or things happening on the water for what a good space it is.”
