Discover how a free summer block party helped Brentwood‑Darlington neighbors reconnect over food, music, and games …
Families gather for Brentwood‑Darlington’s third annual “Party on, Portland!” at the community center – turning the courtyard into a casual summer block party.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Brentwood‑Darlington neighbors turned out for a summer‑afternoon “Party on, Portland!” gathering on Sunday, August 9, transforming their Community Center into a casual mix of barbecue, live music and family fun.
The scent of burgers, brats, and hot dogs drifted across the courtyard as families lined up for plates heaped with salads, fruit, and desserts. Kids bounced and shrieked with delight in an inflatable play structure, while parents talked at picnic tables in the shade, listening to live music from the band Liberty Williams.
At the Brentwood‑Darlington Community Center, Stephanie Torgerson welcomes neighbors to the “Party on, Portland!” block party, as families enjoy the food and music.
Third annual ‘Party on, Portland!’
Organizing the gathering was Stephanie Torgerson, a Brentwood‑Darlington Neighborhood Association (BDNA) Board Member. “I’m on the BDNA Board, and I’m also the coordinator of this ‘POP’ – ‘Party on, Portland!’ – a neighborhood block party, with live music and all sorts of fun stuff!”
Torgerson remarked that this year’s gathering marked the third consecutive summer for the neighborhood‑scale celebration. “This is our third annual year for doing this, and basically, it’s just an opportunity for the community to get together and spend time – getting to know your neighbors.”
Kids in the bouncy house laugh and tumble, as the “Party on, Portland!” turns the Brentwood‑Darlington Community Center into a family‑friendly festival.
Building community
Throughout the afternoon neighbors joined in relay contests, while kids cycled between the bounce house and a shave‑ice stand. Live music from the band “Liberty Williams” provided a soundtrack, as residents lingered over food and desserts, catching up with friends and meeting new faces.
“Our first year, we invited the candidates for District Three and had them come out and help us,” Torgerson recalled. “And we did the same thing this year, with folks volunteering and pitching in wherever we needed help.”
During the neighborhood block party, youngster Townes sips his drink, as mom Rachel White keeps an eye on the festivities.
Along with the smells of barbecue and the beat of the music, the day carried a broader purpose. Torgerson emphasized that the gathering worked on multiple levels – strengthening local ties, and giving neighbors a relaxed setting to spend time together.
“The best thing about this is actually twofold: Neighbors just getting to spend time together and be in community – and they get to meet some of their neighbors,” she reflected.
The local effort aligned with the broader “Party On, Portland! [POP] 2026” initiative, described in event materials as “a citywide, community‑led placemaking initiative to strengthen connections, celebrate culture, and build safer neighborhoods.”
At the event, the band “Liberty Williams” treats neighbors to a wide variety of musical stylings.
Free, family‑friendly neighborhood event
The afternoon gathering remained free for neighbors, with costs covered through the Brentwood‑Darlington Neighborhood Association and related support. Families continued arriving, greeted by the sight of kids tumbling in the bounce house, the sounds of live music on stage, and the smell of burgers and hot dogs drifting over the lawn.
By late afternoon, as plates were cleared and the band played on, “Party on, Portland!” had fulfilled its low‑key mission: Giving Brentwood‑Darlington neighbors a reason to gather, check in with one another, and head toward the rest of the year with a stronger sense of community.
On our Front Page: Volunteers signing their affection for the BDNA are Kimberly DiLeo and Katie Boroska.
© 2026 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News™
