MAX -- also known as

-- turns 25 with not one but two parties on Friday.

The 15-mile Eastside MAX Blue Line between Portland and Gresham was the first to be built in the region, and only the third modern light-rail line in the U.S. at the time.

Here’s a look at how it’s grown over the years:

1974:

Labor Day weekend 1986:

November 1998:

Sept. 12,1998:

Sept 10, 2001:

May 1, 2004:

Sept. 12, 2009:

MAX boardings since 1986:

Trips on TriMet buses during the same period:

Average weekday MAX trips:

Number of miles now in the MAX system:

Development numbers:

July 1, 2011:

August 2011:

Two events -- one in Gresham and one in Portland -- are planned to celebrate MAX’s 25th birthday.

The Gresham event starts at 10 a.m. at Gresham City Hall Plaza. The Portland gathering is scheduled for 11:45 a.m. at Pioneer Courthouse Square.