INCLUDES ‘FAIR-LY’ FUN VIDEO | Take a look, and you’ll see why this summertime event eclipses all others, in outer East Portland …
This photo of the 2025 Montavilla Street Fair says so much about their festival this year, writing an article about this huge outer East Portland event seems almost unnecessary.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
In all its facets, the 2025 Montavilla Street Fair – now a last-Sunday-of-July tradition; this year, on July 27th – was a superb achievement. (To read about their very first Street Fair, back in 2011, CLICK HERE.)
The Montavilla Street Fair was, and continues to be, the signature event of the Montavilla East Tabor Business Association (METBA) – in promotion of their Neighborhood Business District. It happens every year — except during the COVID-19 pandemic, which kept it shuttered during 2020 and 2021
Here are highlights – the sights and sounds – of this year’s Montavilla Street Fair:
The Montavilla Street Fair started out as a side-street and storefront event. But now, it completely fills “downtown Montavilla” along SE Stark Street, from 76th Avenue all the way east to, and including, 80th Avenue.
The street was filled with visitors who came from far and wide. We met folks who said they came from all over the greater metropolitan area – from Hillsboro to Sandy.
It was not your typical “fair street food”, Matthew Makohin of Portland Shucks offered hot-off-the-grill oysters on the half shell for sale.
It was a large and friendly throng at this year’s great street fair, with smiling faces abounding.
Here’s creator Stevens of Pop Octopus selling his artwork.
This year, the HONK! PDX FEST performed at the Montavilla Street Fair – here’s the famous Neon Brass Party entertaining.
At the METBA booth, the members on hand to welcoming visitors include Renae Reindel, Eric Larpenteur, Leah Kohlenberg, association president Matt Mattson, and Chris Kreipe.
“Our Street Fair was a success by every measure – with improved planning, programming, and organization leading to happy vendors and attendees,” METBA President Neil Mattson (he/him) told East Portland News afterwards.
“The fair had more of everything,” Mattson said. “More music, more vendors (180), more local business participation, and more attendees than ever before (estimated at over 40,000),” he exclaimed.
At Montavilla’s own Threshold Brewing, pouring a frosty one, it’s Taylor Landry.
Across the street, taking a break in the shade, we found Montavilla natives Stephanie Carlbom and Robert Constance.
Once again this year, the Montavilla Street Fair could have been called an all-day party, enjoyed by visitors from all around the region.
Sponsors include Adventist Health, Mr. Plywood, OnPoint Community Credit Union, and PBOT.
For more information about the Montavilla East Tabor Business Association, see their official website: CLICK HERE.
© 2025 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News™
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