Category Archives: Events

Thousands of folks returned to Northeast Alberta Street June 30 to mark the return of Last Thursday, a monthly summer event. Small businesses, galleries, restaurants, and bars come together to celebrate the Alberta Art District community as artists, musicians, and performers lined the street from NE 15th through NE 30th Ave. Last Thursday takes place again Aug. 25. Photos by Isaac Puga-Phillips and Rob Cullivan

By Nancy Varekamp | CNews Editor

Every September thousands of Portlanders arrive on wheels to ride the 7.6-mile loop of city streets that connect four Concordia-area parks in NE Sunday Parkways.

They return Sunday, Sept. 22. Neighbors move their cars to where they can access them on other streets, or they simply plan to be part of the annual event between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Rebecca and Nick O’Neil on Ainsworth Street, and Nell Westerlund and Bryce Tolene on 37th Avenue didn’t realize they’d be on the route when they bought their homes five and four years ago, respectively.

“We’d lived in Portland 20 years and participated in some of the Sunday Parkways around town,” Rebecca said. “But being on the route came as a surprise, a welcome one.”

“We were excited when we realized it,” Nell recalled. “We have always participated in Sunday Parkways in some form, changing every year as the kids’ abilities grow.”

Last year her children drew bike art in the driveway. This year they plan to sell vegetables from their garden after they finish their own circuit of the loop.

Rebecca’s and Nick’s daughter was born shortly after they moved here, and each year pictures record her maturing – from a bike trailer, to training wheels and last year to just two wheels.

Friends participating in the event – and even ones who don’t – gather in the O’Neils’ front yard to watch and to interact with passersby.

Before and after their own ride around the loop, the O’Neils’ daughter sells lemonade, or gives away flowers and fruit from their garden.

The story’s much the same for the Westerlund/Tolene family.

“We embrace the event by having a party in our front yard,” Nell explained.

“It’s become like a holiday tradition. We let our friends know we’ll be out front if they want to stop for a drink or a snack and, as a bonus, we always get to see people we didn’t know would be out biking. We flag them down, and they join the party.”

This section of Concordia also gets plenty of traffic in the spring and summer since Fernhill Park – with its egg hunt and concert series – is only a stone’s throw.

“We see those as more opportunities to take the event and expand on it since we live so close,” Nell reported.

Rebecca agreed. She and Nick invite friends from outside Concordia to the park events.

“It’s a statement of how the neighborhood is so desirable, since our friends like to come and experience it with us.”

Editor’s note: Click here for details about NE Sunday Parkways and the route.

Nancy Varekamp is semiretired from her career in journalism, public relations and – her favorite work engagement – writing and editing targeted newsletters.

By Marsha Sandman | CNA Media Team

Get ready to put your food, drink and dance on. Local businesses invite you to their 10th annual block party on 30th Avenue between Emerson and Jarrett streets.

Both 30th Avenue blocks will be closed to vehicles Sunday, Sept. 8, from 3 to 9 p.m.

This area is also known as Foxchase.

Curious? That’s what the recorded plat said in 1889 when Alberta Street was a dirt track. Read some interesting and unusual facts about Foxchase, here.

The event is sponsored by the Concordia Neighborhood Association (CNA) and Dayna McErlean, with additional support and involvement from the other local vendors.

Dayna is a longtime Concordian and a well-known Portland restaurateur. She is the developer and owner of Yakuza Izakaya, D.O.C. and Nonna Tavern, all on 30th between Emerson and Jarrett.

“This celebration is all about community – building it, nurturing it, promoting it,” Dayna explained. She is a creative visionary dedicated to bringing interesting and inspiring businesses to her neighborhood.

The festive block party started 10 years ago as customer appreciation with about 200 people in attendance. Dayna estimated there were 1,000 people there last year and expects even more this year.

It’s an opportunity for folks to sample and learn more about the goods and services offered by the local businesses. There will be complimentary tastes and product samples.

There will also be a variety of musical entertainment curated by Brent Folis, a drummer with Pink Martini. Be prepared to boogey.

All businesses in the two-block radius are invited to participate.

John McSherry, CNA board member, is involved with preparations. He promises a day of kid-friendly fun with a children’s play area and games at Yakuza’s backyard patio.

The block party will be a great chance to mingle with your neighbors and taste all this area has to offer.

A night of food, music, dance, drink and friends. Does it get any better?

After living east, south, north and west, Marsha Sandman is home at last. And she wants to hear your story. Contact her at MarshaJSandman@gmail.com.

By Paloma Wykhuis | CNews Special Writer

The Alberta Street Fair is my absolute favorite place to spend a hot summer day!

From food, to art, to fabulous costumes and even live music, (not to mention the parade) the Alberta Street Fair is truly a magical tradition.

Every summer I look forward to going. My mother owns the store Frock on Alberta Street, so I get to proudly represent the store in the parade each year.

I help throw candy and hold Frock’s banner. I have been in the parade since I was a one-year-old, and Aug. 10 will be my 15th Alberta Street Fair. Many of my favorite childhood memories are being pulled in a wagon in the parade and around the fair when I was small.

The Alberta Street Fair is interesting because everyone dresses up in the most silly and unique costumes. Ignoring the usually humid weather, parade participants dress in full costume.

You will see people dressed as elephants and other animals mingling with clowns and fairy princesses, and you will always see the neighborhood Hello Kitty walking past the booths lining the street.

It has always been a special tradition for my family to participate every year and it’s always fun to take a day off of the usual hustle and bustle of normal life to be silly and have fun dressing up.

The fair also has amazing shows that you can watch while viewing the booths or grabbing a bite to eat. Kids put on a talent show at the end of the parade. Additionally, there are two other stages on either end of the street where local bands provide entertainment.

After the parade, I like to visit the art booths. The art booths capture my imagination because they are all unique and each has something beautiful, different and interesting to offer.

I love making art, and it inspires me to see the incredible art that Portland artists bring to the street fair. It’s always fun to buy the art and support local artists.

The fair makes you feel like a real part of the Alberta community. You get to see old friends, and you get to meet new people who are a part of the community.

Of all the street fairs I have been to, the Alberta Street Fair is my favorite. It really brings out the fun and excitement of Alberta.

I hope to see you there!

Paloma Wykhuis is a 15-year-old sophomore at Jefferson High School. In addition to attending the annual street fair, she enjoys writing and making art.