A party every weekend in September, at ‘Rosewood Saturdays’

INCLUDES VIDEO VIGNETTE | With no large public events currently allowed, see how this outer East Portland organization is bringing people safely together every Saturday, through September …

In the Centennial neighborhood, neighbors arrive at the Rosewood Initiative Neighborhood Prosperity Initiative District Center to enjoy a free “Rosewood Saturday Celebration”.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton

Due to COVID-19 restrictions during the pandemic, the Rosewood Initiative Neighborhood Prosperity District (Rosewood) hasn’t been able to hold public events as they have in the past.

An annual event to which their community has always looked forward is “Rosewood Night Out”, held on the traditional “National Night Out” evening. It was scrubbed in both 2020 and 2021.

>> To see our story about the 2019 Rosewood Night Out Celebration, CLICK HERE.

But, starting on Saturday, September 4, Rosewood initiated a new community event, held safely outdoors, as explained by their Executive Director, Sabrina Wilson.

Offering Rosewood logoed T-shirts, with a big smile, is volunteer Kylee Sales.

Enthusiastic about the new celebration is Rosewood’s Executive Director Sabrina Wilson.

“This afternoon, we’re holding our first free ‘Rosewood Saturday Celebration’, here in the parking lot,” Wilson began. “It’s a combination of a farmers market, a makers’ market, and a gathering of local East Portland vendors who are selling their produce, food, and goods.

“We also have numerous local nonprofit organizations partnering here and providing information; so, one might say, it’s a ‘farmers market meets social services fair’ – all to help support the Rosewood area.”

Providence Health workers provide COVID-19 vaccinations for guests at the event.

Vaccine clinic a vital element
“We also have a vaccine clinic going on, which we have been doing every Saturday since March this year,” Wilson told East Portland News. “COVID-19 vaccination is critically needed here in our ZIP Code, 97233 – which has been consistently on the list of areas most impacted by the virus, and with high rates of positive COVID tests.”

Providing information about the neighborhood are members of the Centennial Community Association Board (the name of their neighborhood association) – Theresa Connors, and David Linn; Linn is also on the Centennial School Board. They are joined here by Centennial Neighborhood Emergency Team coordinator Karen Wolfgang.

Zani Nevayaktewa of RRB Native Jewelry shows some of the things she’s offering.

“In addition to our residents, the pandemic has also negatively impacted local merchants and crafters; these ‘Rosewood Saturday Celebrations’ give them a space, safely outdoors, to connect with the community,” Wilson said.

Get a feel for the ‘Rosewood Saturday Celebration’ by watching our VIDEO VIGNETTE:

“So, unlike the large number of people who came to our ‘Rosewood Night Out’ celebrations – now, in the time of the COVID-19 pandemic, we decided to ‘spread it out’ over four Saturdays in September, to still have that ‘community building’ – but not to draw the large crowd all at one time,” pointed out Wilson.

“Here, everyone’s masked up, safe, and outdoor, celebrating community, together,” she concluded.

Rosewood Saturday Celebration

Saturday 18 and 28
From 3:00 until 7:00 p.m.
FREE to attend
Get vaccinated, get a $100 gift card
Approved face coverings are required
Location: 16126 SE Stark Street

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