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Past Events
Vendor & Community Fair 11:AM - 6:PM Funtastic Carnivals OCT 1-4 Classic Car Cruise-In (Call Ted for Details 503.348.0337) Thousands will celebrate at 10th annual Mid-Autumn Festival Learn why our Asian neighbors came from all over the greater Portland area to celebrate this ancient Chinese celebration!
Performers from the Northwest Lion Dance Association usher in the good times at the 9th annual Mid-Autumn Festival. Story and photos by David F. Ashton "The Mid-Autumn Festival is traditionally celebrated outdoors, in mid- to late September," explained the event's coordinator, Nanette Tran. "Farmers celebrate the end of the summer harvesting season on this date." Thousands of visitors from all over the greater Portland area came to visit the Moon Festival at Eastport Plaza. Event coordinator Nanette Tran, and main event sponsor, Charles Hui from the Portland Chinese Times, tell us the significance of their event. This festival is nearly as important a holiday in the Chinese calendar as is the Chinese Lunar New Year, Tran noted. "It's a legal holiday in many countries. Traditionally, family members and friends will gather to admire the bright mid-autumn harvest moon, and eat moon cakes and pomeloes together." Although the Chinese are credited with starting this tradition 3,000 years ago, many East Asian cultures have adopted the festival to their traditions. These young musicians from the Portland Cultural Center serenade visitors with melodies as classical as are their instruments. Brings community together Events at the festival, held again in 2009 at Eastport Plaza on SE 82nd Avenue of Roses, included Chinese folk dance, a children's choir, martial arts demonstration and a concert by the cutest little kids expertly playing classical Chinese instruments.
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After-parade Carnival and Cruise-in highlights East Portland's diverse offerings After the 82nd Avenue of Roses Grand Parade, see what you missed if you didn't stop by this wonderful community event at Eastport Plaza …
Martial artist Robert Andrejco, with West Coast Taekwon Do Portland, breaks a practice board with his foot, as their members of the dojo show their skills. Story and photos by David F. Ashton "We wanted to have a party for all of our East Portland neighbors," explained Dianne Gill, Manager of Eastport Plaza. "The idea was to give neighborhood and community service groups the opportunity to get their information out to citizens, provide space for commercial vendors, and host the FUNtastic Carnival here." East Portland parks advocate Linda Robinson tells guests about the "Gateway Green" project she's helping to create. Representatives from the Portland Police Bureau Mounted Division introduce their equine partners to carnival guests. Carnival rides provided thrills for young and old at the Community Carnival. Carnival guest Dain Gray gets a free handgun lock from Richard Bixby, who is with the East Portland Neighborhood Organization. The idea proved to be successful; throngs of people braved brief passing showers – and later basked in the late afternoon springtime sunshine. In addition to visiting the booths, guests enjoyed live music provided by The Carolina Pump Station, Trash Can Joe, Get a Life Marching Band, and a strolling barbershop quartet. In all, Eastport Plaza sponsored a great community event; we hope it returns next year after the parade. Classic vehicles pack Izzy's Cruise-In Jeff Morrison shares his love of classic cars with his young men, Luke and Logan, as they look at the "hot metal" on display. At the north end of the Eastport Plaza parking lot, rows of bright-and-shiny cars lined up for the Izzy's Cruise-In. All kinds of specialty vehicles – from hot rods, to custom cars, to classic, restored vehicles were on display. Hundreds of cars were on display at the 2009 Izzy's Cruise-In. Winner of the EastPDXnews Choice Award, Kirk Schulenberg, shows off his canary yellow Chevelle station wagon. When the awards were presented Cruise-In participants, we were pleased to meet the Kirk Schulenberg, to whom we presented the "EastPDXnews Choice Award", for his rare 1964, 2-door Chevelle station wagon. "It is very rare, indeed," Schulenberg told us. "They only made 1,700 of them. It's got a big block, 396 engine with a 700 R4 transmission, 12 volt Posi-traction." Although it looks chopped, Schulenberg said the car body is strictly stock – and that he's spent the past 15 years lavishing it with care and attention, rebuilding it from the tires on up. With this kind of success, we're sure we'll be seeing the return of the Izzy's Cruise-In next year.
82nd Avenue of Roses Grand Parade bigger and better than ever Take a look at exclusive photo coverage of this event – and learn why volunteers work throughout the year to make this, each year's first Portland Rose Festival official event, a fun, family event … Wanting to make sure his 'Vette is "parade ready", this owner takes a moment to buff up one of the cars in which a Portland Rose Festival Princess will ride. Story and photos by David F. Ashton Ken Turner, President of the 82nd Avenue of Roses Business Association – and one of the organizers of the event – promised a "bigger and better parade", and the association really delivered. Although the skies threatened rain, nary a drop fell as the procession began promptly at 9:00 a.m., on schedule. Ken Turner, President of the 82nd Avenue of Roses Business Association (center) talks with Portland Rose Festival Foundation officials as the Princesses get ready for their ride in the parade. Here they are! An exclusive photograph of the 2009 Portland Rose Festival Princesses at their major first public event together! "We were really pleased by the numerous, diversified parade entries this year," Turner told us after the parade. "It was terrific to have groups from all over the City of Portland participate. From the Eastside, the Westside – and East Multnomah County – groups came to be in – and watch – this year's parade." Observing that many East Portland business associations had entered the parade, Turner said he appreciated the Gateway Area Business Association for sending their famous Keystone Kops – as well as Parkrose Business Association for bringing representatives of their Parkrose Festival & Cruise-in (August 1), Foster Area Business Association's participation, and the two entries from the East Portland Chamber of Commerce. The procession begins: the 3rd Annual 82nd Avenue of Roses Grand Parade heads north, led of by the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 1442, Color Guard. Heralding the parade, as they briskly step along, are the official banner carriers. "The support from the community was great!" exclaimed Turner. "It shows Portland's community-at-large that there are positive things going on along 82nd Avenue of Roses, and in Southeast Portland in general. And, being recognized by the Portland Rose Festival as a sanctioned event, is an honor." It is important to the community, Turner noted, because the parade is an iconic event that draws neighborhood and business interests together. Their team, he added, included members of neighborhood and business associations, educational, civic, faith, and young people's organizations. In their first official outing as the 2009 Portland Rose Festival Court, here are six of the East Portland Princesses we saw in the parade! (Left to right, top row): Linda Nguyen David Dougls High School; Ciara Dines, Parkrose High; Katrina McFeters, Marshall Campus. (Bottom row): Mataya McNeill, Madison High; Sylvie Dady, Cleveland High; and Joy Shufeldt, Franklin High. Snappily-dressed Royal Rosarians lend an air of historical dignity to the parade. "And, high praise to the Portland Bureau of Transportation, Oregon Department of Transportation, TriMet, the Portland Police Bureau – and all of the other governmental agencies who cooperated with us. Without their across-the-board, collaborative assistance, this parade would not have been possible." In addition to thanking the dozen core volunteers who faithfully worked on the parade throughout the year, Turner also gave kudos to the businesses along the parade route who supported their effort. "We're already looking forward to next year's event. Come join our group as a volunteer, sponsor, or both," Turner smiled. More photos from the 82nd Ave. of Roses Grand Parade The Madison High School Drum Corps sounds out a marching rhythm. East Portland welcomes back Portland City Commissioner Amanda Fritz, as she marches the parade route. "I was delighted to see that the number of spectators more than doubled from last year's event," she told us afterward. Many neighborhoods along the route supported the parade, including Montavilla and Madison South – as well as the Lents Neighborhood Association, represented by John (driving) and Judy Welch. New to the parade – and adding a colorful, international touch to the procession – is the Kell's Irish Pipes and Drums Corps. Riding in his "size 1,200" shoe, Ronald McDonald is always a crowd pleaser. The parade was honored to feature 2008 Spirit of Portland Award recipient Richard Kiely, owner of Home Run Graphics. George Morlan Plumbing brought their life-size giraffe float to this year's parade. Striking fear (of laughing to death) into the hearts of outer East Portland criminals, the wacky antics of Gateway Area Business Association's Keystone Kops provided a welcome comic highlight for this year's parade. "They're the comedic hit of the parade," says Ken Turner. The "One More Time Around Again Marching Band" – the largest of its kind in the world – plays crowd favorites, include "Louie, Louie", for an appreciative crowd along the route.
Photo Link: 1 of 6, 2 of 6, 3 of 6, 4 of 6, 5 of 6, 6 of 6 **************************************
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