There was evidence everywhere. Signs above Interstate 64. Picnic tables and street barriers stacked next to the Festival building on Northwestern. Yard signs on front lawns. Warnings about street closures nailed to telephone poles. A 2-day affair.
The 52nd Portland Community Festival! And, by golly, we pulled it off!
This past June, north Portland came alive with vendor booths selling everything from tee-shirts to artwork. There were food trucks (OMG, the gyros!). There were people strolling their babies, pushing their elders in wheelchairs, stopping to talk and laugh with friends (“Long time, no see. Lookin’ good, my friend”). There was music (c’mon, put down that beer and dance with me).
And yes the beer was near, and it was cold. (American Legion Shawnee Post 193 comes through again!). And THAT PARADE! Homemade floats, zombies scaring the heck outta the kids, marching bands, 10’ tall puppets, tricked out cars, skaters, cops on horseback, dancers, and a new Honorary Portland Mayor – stretching over a mile from 22nd street to 33rd.
But, you know, all this didn’t just drop from the sky like a gift from the gods. It was the vision and hard work of your dedicated festival committee members and some volunteers.
The effort needs to grow into something much bigger than that if the people of Portland value a wonderful weekend like the one we had.
It takes volunteers, calling businesses for donations, seeking sponsorships from citywide service providers, delivering festival signs to businesses in the neighborhood here and all over town. It takes Portland pride to help keep the parade route and festival grounds looking their best by cleaning up the gutter and easement in front of your home. It also takes neighbors who are willing to lend a hand on the Sunday after the festival to help clean the streets and sidewalks and restore the neighborhood for everyone to enjoy.
This happens when a neighborhood OWNS its festival, when a neighborhood is proud of its heritage and neighbors, when a neighborhood shows Louisville how to celebrate and have a good time with friends and family, and when they know that its success depends on them rolling up their sleeves and joining the effort.
My friend Elijah Humble wrote in last month’s Anchor that I owned the shantyboat that the Portland Museum had in the parade. I appreciate his kind words and reflections, however the boat was donated to the museum by me and a fellow boatbuilder. It was once my boat but now it’s the museum’s boat. Portland, it’s your boat. It’s your museum. It’s your festival.
You are the owners of the Portland Festival and its future in this thriving neighborhood. The festival won’t happen again unless the owners take possession and join in. Look for the opportunities this fall to join in the planning and make a difference. You will be welcomed. I was.
