Dedicated volunteers save ‘Foster Summer Soiree’ from demise

INCLUDES FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS VIDEO | When it looked it wouldn’t be happening, discover how this fun outer East Portland business celebration was put on, with great success …

It looked like this year’s Foster Summer Soiree along S. E. Foster Road was ‘dead in the water’ until volunteers acted, bringing it to life.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton

At a meeting in March, at a Foster Area Business Association (FABA) meeting, the organization’s supporters “threw in the towel”, and canceled their annual district-wide promotional event they’ve called the “Foster Summer Soiree”. CLICK HERE to see the story about that meeting.

“Due to budget constraints and a loss of staffing – as a result of the City of Portland cutting Venture Portland’s funding – to pull off a district-wide event seemed too ambitious,” explained Jeff Lynott, who has continued to volunteer with FABA, even after being laid off as their District Manager.

Enjoy our video showing our walking tour of this great summer event:

“But, a couple of neighbors and businesses stepped up at the last minute – and led the charge to pull off the Foster Summer Soiree again this summer, which we did on Saturday, August 9th,” Lynott told East Portland News.

At the Foster Summer Soiree, we found East Portland artist Estella Tse of Estella Tse LLC showing and selling her unique art, which blends traditional and “virtual reality” techniques.

“Eric Furlong, in particular, was a driving force for the continuation of the Soiree this year,” acknowledged Lynott. “He carried the bulk of responsibility, with the financial and staffing support of FABA, and so – in collaboration with the Foster-Powell Neighborhood Association, and a couple of volunteers – we had a successful third annual Foster Summer Soiree!”

Welcoming visitors to the Foster Summer Soiree, at the Foster-Powell Neighborhood Association booth in Laurelwood Park, are Chair Kelly Janes and Board Member Judy Hilsenteger.

In Laurelwood Park, demonstrating how the music they perform is blended with martial arts, is Capoeira Brasil Portland – it’s not as dangerous as it sounds!

This year’s street fair featured 50 sidewalk vendors, 25 participating businesses, and eight community organizations tabling in Laurelwood Park, where a local Brazilian capoeira group was performing.

“In my opinion, the highlight of this year’s event was twofold: The excitement that businesses share in having a yearly showcase, and the massive support from the community who shows up,” observed Lynott. “We’re proud of how it came together organically, and with a very DIY approach.”

Offering his custom-made cutlery for sale at the Foster Summer Soiree is Foster-Powell neighbor Douglas Vincent of Vince’s Traveling Knife Emporium.

After the event, we caught up with event’s sparkplug this year, Eric Furlong. “The best part of the Soiree this year for me was talking with the vendors making sure we had ADA accessibility on the sidewalk, and, in the process, seeing how stoked they were to be here!

“Oh, and it was so thrilling seeing all the folks walking up and down S.E. Foster Road, enjoying the ‘double-wide sidewalks’ that the city envisioned and created here 100 years ago, which continue to support a thriving business corridor,” Furlong added.

Find out more about the Foster Area Business Association by visiting their official website: CLICK HERE.

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