Parade, festival enliven Woodstock Blvd.

Take a look and you’ll see why this SE Portland community event thrives, and grows every year. And, you’ll see more photos of this even here than anywhere else,

Leading the Woodstock Festival Parade for the second year as Grand Marshal is Portland Mayor and Woodstock resident Tom Potter, and his wife, Karin Hansen.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
The leisurely pace along this historic boulevard decidedly quickened on July 14 – the day designated for the 2007 Woodstock Festival and Parade.

“This is a wonderful event that knits the community together,” the president of the nonprofit Woodstock Community Business Association (WCBA), Jane Glanville, told us. “When I saw all the families lining the street, and the parade began, I couldn’t help by cry with joy.”

“The parade was a huge success,” Glanville went on. “From the beginning of the parade, led by Woodstock resident Mayor Tom Potter ‚Äì to the Portland Fire & Rescue trucks at the end ‚Äì it was wonderful. We had more entries than ever before.”

Members of the “Get a Life Marching Band” prove you’re never too old to enjoy playing music on the march.

Parade marches to different drums
Providing lively rhythms as they marched along the route were the “Get a Life Marching Band”‚ complete with flag-waving dance squad‚ and the “Sir James McDonald Pipe Band”.

Parade highlights included the horse-drawn Wells Fargo Stagecoach, Pedi-cabs, and the Oregon City Trolley. We overheard many spectators comment that vintage vehicles from the Arby’s Cruise-in were also a great addition.

Throngs of neighbors stayed on to visit many of the booths set up along the boulevard featuring community and public safety organizations, local artists’ crafts, food vendors, and sponsors’ exhibits. Kids loved the giant inflatable play slide set up in front of Glanville’s “Island Creamery”.

A favorite of kids at the Festival is the huge, inflatable slide.

Six months in the planning
We were amazed to learn that this festive street fair and procession takes place these days thanks primarily to six months of dedicated effort by five core volunteers, headed by Cristi Landers, proprietor of Transformations Hair Salon.

Woodstock Festival Photo Album
Here are some of our favorite memories of the Woodstock Festival:

At the Woodstock Festival, OMSI’s Katie Carriker looks on while Bria Robertson solves the math puzzle‚ with a little help from her mom, Liz Robertson.

Woodstock neighborhood artist Ann Myers sells note cards to Jay Riley.

Narco Fusaro, a neighborhood volunteer, and “Woodstock Neighborhood Picnic” co-coordinator Ruthann Bedenkop, remind us: “Circle August 18 on your calendar for the Picnic in Woodstock Park. We’ll have lots of live music, food and fun.”

Zorina Thomson, massage therapist with Zakira Martial Arts, helps Tamela Cantor relax with chair massage during the Woodstock Festival.

The Wells Fargo Stagecoach fascinates spectators.

Stilt-man returns!

Vintage vehicles from the Arby’s Cruise-in are a welcomed addition to the parade.

We don’t know who they are, or from where they come, but these colorful street dancers are always welcome.

This is perhaps the only parade that features the “Fresh, hot sausage float” ‚Äì courtesy of Otto’s Delicatessen.

Adding a touch of international culture to the parade is the “Sir James McDonald Pipe Band”.

Thousands of folks line the boulevard to watch the parade.

“This festival wouldn’t take place without the support of our sponsors,” added Glanville. “We thank Wells Fargo, BI-MART, The Joinery, Bike Gallery, Johnson Creek Rentals, Arby’s, John L Scott Real Estate, Standard TV and Appliance, Safeway and THE BEE.  Additional support from Swensen and Grey Attorneys, Pappaccino’s, Laughing Planet Caf?©, Dieringer Properties, and The Floor Store made the event possible.”

To learn more about the WCBA, go to: www.woodstockbiz.com.

© 2007 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service

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