Discover how volunteers turned fall funding into a vibrant new seasonal tradition for outer East Portland neighbors …
On this particular lovely Sunday afternoon, families are strolling into the inaugural Argay Terrace Harvest Festival, held in Argay Park.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
With the arrival of the autumn season, community members from across outer East Portland gathered to celebrate with neighbors on a slightly nippy but quite sunny afternoon.
The occasion was the new Argay Terrace Harvest Festival, held on Sunday, October 11, from 1 until 3 p.m. at the eastern end of Argay Park, near NE 141st Avenue and Shaver Street.
Admission to the afternoon gathering was free. As a special treat for early arrivals, the first 100 people to stop by the Argay Terrace Neighborhood Association booth received a coupon for a free bratwurst or hamburger from the visiting food truck.
Chef Jameson Wittkopp with Altengartz Bratwurst serves another sausage during the inaugural Argay Terrace Harvest Festival.
Beyond the hot meals, attendees found a variety of interactive stations spread across the park. A collection barrel was set out to gather canned food donations for the Portland Police Sunshine Division, which supports local families in need.
Nearby, children and adults alike picked out pumpkins and decorated them to take home, using crafting supplies provided by neighborhood volunteers.
At the first-ever Argay Terrace Harvest Festival in Argay Park, with pumpkins in hand, are organizer Katie Beymer, and volunteers Amy Honeyman and Mark Rupert.
Celebrating the harvest in Argay Park
“We lucked out on the weather,” remarked long-time community organizer Katie Beymer, as she surveyed the crowd enjoying the autumn sunshine. Beymer, who has volunteered with the Argay Terrace Neighborhood Association for over 15 years, helped lead the volunteer committee that brought the festival together.
“While this is our first Harvest Fest, we have done solstice events at the park; we’re trying out hosting a gathering in a different season,” Beymer explained, regarding the origin of the event.
Provided facial-feature stickers instead of knives, kids stick expressions on pumpkins during the Harvest Festival.
“We were really fortunate to find some funding,” she told East Portland News. “Our volunteer committee came together, and we came up with this idea – celebrating the autumn harvest.”
The effort paid off, as families filled the park to enjoy food, fall activities, and neighborly conversation.
Offering free treats at the event as the “Cookie Lady” is volunteer Colleen Johnson.
Fall activities, books, and community support
Throughout the park, volunteers worked to keep activities running smoothly for visitors of all ages.
“Our volunteers have been working really hard setting up the stickers for decorating pumpkins,” Beymer remarked, pointing toward the bustling crafting area.
At the Neighborhood Book Table, volunteer Paulette Rossi accepts a donation of reading materials.
In addition to food and fall crafts, community outreach tables offered resources and opportunities to “give back”.
“In addition to collecting food for the PPB’s Sunshine Division, Paulette Rossi is at our ‘Neighborhood Book Table’ taking donations – and offering folks something new to take home,” Beymer said.
Providing information in Argay Park, at the Portland Parks & Recreation Urban Forestry exhibit, are Community Stewardship CSA II Juno Liang and Senior Community Engagement Coordinator Maija Spencer.
The afternoon offered a chance for residents to strengthen local connections while outdoors. Unstructured time gave neighbors plenty of opportunity to simply hang out, meet one another, let the kids have some fun, and enjoy the autumn air at Argay Park.
It’s Bryan Atkinson his kids, having facepainting done by Elaine Walpole of Mystique’s Fancy Faces.
Looking ahead to winter caroling
With the success of the autumn festival behind them, Argay Terrace volunteers are already turning their attention to upcoming seasonal gatherings.
“We’re working on getting people together for caroling around the neighborhood,” Beymer revealed when asked about future activities. “We’ll start planning that here soon – starting in Argay Park and working our way over to Luuwit View Park.”
Learn what’s happening with the Argay Terrace Neighborhood Association by
visiting their website: CLICK HERE.
© 2026 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News™
