Air travelers with renovation fatigue, rejoice! After undergoing construction since 2020, Portland International Airport will debut its new, $2 billion main terminal next month.

Why it matters: The long corridor of detours between concourses C and D is going away — which will make navigating the airport less of a never-ending walk to your gate.

Driving the news: The main terminal will be open for business on Aug. 14. Workplace safety issues in April delayed the originally scheduled spring opening by four months.

• The construction wall behind ticketing will be removed and replaced with an expedited check-in area. A tree canopy garden, waiting areas (with the '80s-era PDX carpet design) and a marketplace will also be available before TSA security check.

Yes, but: Construction is not over yet. Renovation of the terminal's north and south ends is ongoing through 2025. A new detour will be put up between concourses B and E.

• The dedicated enter-and-exit lanes are also still a work in progress. In the interim, all passengers will use the same doors out to the road for pick-up and drop-off.

What's inside: Now, upon arrival in the lobby, travelers will be greeted with Oregon white oak and terrazzo floors, plus a captivating, $125-million, 9-acre roof (with 49 oval skylights) made from Douglas fir sourced within 300 miles of Portland.

• The Port of Portland, which runs the airport, added more checkpoints to make getting through security faster — new automatic ferry belts will push your carry-ons and shoes through the entrance of the X-ray machines, too, so you don't have to.
• There'll also be a screen showing wait times and a video wall above TSA showing art by Oregon artists, including Portlander Ivan McClellan.
• Plus: 72 freshly planted trees are meant to give the space a "walk in the forest" feel.

Dig in: Thirteen additional vendors, including Grassa, Oven and Shaker, Country Cat and returning favorites Blue Star Donuts and Powell's Books, will open in August, too.

• Loyal Legion will hold down a pre-security, mezzanine-level beer garden, featuring 96 Oregon brews on tap.

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Local creative agency INDUSTRY will reveal its designs and music for the Leagues Cup tomorrow, a 47-club tournament that pits Major League Soccer and Mexico's LIGA MX against each other.

Why it matters: In-season tournaments have become a way to keep interest in sports alive during long seasons and, starting last season, pro soccer in North America has expanded its collaboration with its counterpart in Mexico.

State of play: Adam Long, the creative director at Portland-based INDUSTRY, said the plan is to build excitement for both leagues.

• He compared the tourney to the UEFA Champions League in Europe, where the top teams often field as much talent as a World Cup Final.
• He said U.S., Canadian and Mexican fans also have national rivalries to draw upon.

Catch up quick: Last year MLS teams dominated, even though traditionally Mexican teams are considered better.

• There won't be any Messi factor this year, with Inter Miami's Argentine star Lionel Messi resting after helping his country win the Copa America.

UEFA Champions League has an anthem loosely based on Handel's coronation anthem "Zadok the Priest."

So INDUSTRY was asked to produce an anthem too.

• Emilio Estefan Jr. and the Black Eyed Peas came up with "Nuestros Colores" ("Our Colors"), a brassy slice of reggaeton.

It also created a limited edition T-shirt whose design includes the club crests of all 47 teams in the tournament.

What's next: The Leagues Cup begins tomorrow and runs through Aug. 25.

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🦆 A large, inflatable duck appeared in the White River in Indianapolis Tuesday, as the University of Oregon made its conference premiere at the Big Ten Media Days. (Fox Sports)

🔥 The growing Durkee fire in eastern Oregon inched toward Interstate 84 yesterday, leading the state's Department of Transportation to close the eastbound lanes from Pendleton to Baker City.

• The wildfire, started by lightning last week, has become so large — nearly 245,000 acres with 0% containment as of late Wednesday — it's now generating its own weather. (Associated Press)

⏪ The Portland Bureau of Transportation is considering reversing its decision to turn the car-free plaza in front of Mayfly taproom in Kenton back into a driveable street after receiving supportive public feedback for the space. (BikePortland)

Make like a wizard or a mermaid, go for a sparkly nighttime kayak ride, or kick it with sneaker kids. There's so much to do in Portland this weekend, it's like an affordable, mini staycation.

Here are some events around town to fill your social calendar.

Tonight

🎸 French Cassettes are an SF-based band that belongs in Portland. Part Byrds, part Lemonheads, all melodic fun, this is total date night music. 8pm, Mississippi Studios. $15.

Tomorrow

👟 Slip into Sneaker Week PDX, which kicks off with the K.I.C. - OFF Festival, which has everything for the serious sneakerhead: fashion shows, design showcases and DJs. 11am-6pm, through Sunday, Pioneer Courthouse Square. $35.

🛶 The Christmas in July Lighted Kayak Parade because why wait until chilly Halloween to be seen on your LED-lit SUP or kayak? 9-10.30pm, Horseshoe Lake, Woodland, Washington. Free.

Saturday

🧜 Portlandia Mermaid Parade, with a beach party at Poet's Beach and an after-party at Fathom. Dress like the civic statue, not like Carrie. Noon to 4pm, starting at Japanese American Historical Plaza, Tom McCall Waterfront Park. Free.

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