66 p o r t l a n d monthly magazine Portland after dark ocean breeze rushes past, an edge- of-the-world feeling settles over us. It’s a snapshot for the soul–the four of us, Stephan and Meghan newly engaged, Fil and I newlyweds. I consider the many friends who’ve existed in this very mo- ment since The Pier’s opening in 1898. Can you imagine the Pier Casino Ballroom in its heyday? Snazzy cocktail dresses and creased slacks galore! With fea- tured acts like Duke Ellington and Sinatra, the mid-century present- ed an Old Orchard Beach that’s hard to fathom–especially as two barely legal girls donning barely there bikinis pose for their cache of Instagram strangers on the beach below. Wild Child “We have to ride the Sea Viper,” Meaghan says as we make our way to the amusement park. “It sounds dangerous.” I look up at the looming roller coaster. “Stop. It’s brand new.” She bee-lines it for the ticket booth. Fil, ever-reassuring, pipes up, “You know, I‘ve never put something together without missing at least one screw.” The Sea Viper is a new Old Orchard Beach attraction. Standing 70 feet tall, the roller coaster is in no way the wildest ride I’ve taken, but I’m just not a thrills kind of girl. A spin on a wobbly bar stool after a shot or two is about as much as I need. ment on the list from Pal- ace Playland to midnight chili dogs, each balancing a fine line between the best and (sometimes even more fun) the worst decision of the evening. InstaPerfect O ur first stop is the Pier Patio Pub for an Old Orchard-style happy hour: steamers, Coronas, and a multi-vodka concoction dubbed “The Fish Bowl.” Bad decision number one? We’ll find out. “All right, everyone in on this,” Stephan says as each of us snags a straw, bumping foreheads while trying for a decent selfie. “I can’t do this. You’re too close.” “You’ve touched every straw.” “Smile.” After two baskets of clams, we walk to the very end of The Pier, which, come sun- down, transitions into the nightclub Top of The Pier with a DJ. For a moment, as the sun drops over the Electra Wheel and an