See how lots of folks came to the Gateway area and found an afternoon of fun …
The group representing Human Solutions, including Executive Director Jean DeMaster, line up to march in the 2014 Gateway Fun-O-Rama Parade.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
It was “orderly chaos” in the Portland Adventist Community Services parking lot on NE Halsey Street, and along NE 111th Avenue, as the Gateway Fun-O-Rama Parade entries assembled for the 1:00 p.m. event on May 17.
Marching bands, community groups, non-profit organizations, and even Ronald McDonald, all got in line just before Parade Marshall Peter Diamond, of the Warren Allen Law Firm, signaled for it to step off.
After consulting with a member of the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office Color Guard and with a Portland Police Bureau Traffic Division Sergeant, Parade Marshall Peter Diamond gets ready to start the parade.
The Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office Color Guard once again leads off the parade.
Volunteers from “Friends of Gateway Green” are collectively recognized as GABA’s “Citizen of the Year”.
A new, more compact route seemed to raise the energy of the event, and spectators lined the streets to watch the procession that started at NE 110th Avenue and Halsey Street. It made a loop, heading east on Halsey Street, north on NE 112th Avenue, west on NE Weidler Street, south on NE 104th Avenue, east on NE Halsey Street – and then finished just a block from where it began – at 111th and Halsey Street.
Several of those watching cut through between the blocks to see their favorite parade entries twice – once “coming” out from the start, and then another time “going” back to the staging area.
2014 Portland Rose Festival Parkrose Princess Chazmyne Brown waves to the crowd.
Greeting spectators is the 2014 David Douglas Portland Rose Festival Princess, Samantha Westmoreland.
Along the parade route, Hailey MacKenzie and Liam, with their grandmother Andrea Steelle, wave back to folks in the parade.
The Fun-O-Rama Parade, presented by the Gateway Area Business Association (GABA), has been a mid-May, mid-County tradition for decades, the organization’s President, Fred Sanchez of Realty Brokers told East Portland News.
“It’s a special event that really helps bring the community together,” Sanchez said. “Many GABA volunteers work for months to obtain the necessary permits, promote parade entries, and then manage the parade.”
The “famous” GABA Keystone Kops entertain with their antics.
David Douglas Historical Society Board Member Delores Wood greets spectators from their balloon-decorated float.
Gubernatorial candidate Dennis Richardson (R) came from his home in Central Point, Oregon, to appear in outer East Portland and march in the Fun-O-Rama Parade.
As the 2014 Fun-O-Rama Parade makes its final turn, a sidewalk full of folks look like they’re enjoying the parade.
Riding the Wells Fargo Stagecoach, and waving to onlookers, is Gateway Green Board President Linda Robinson.
Fun-O-Rama Community Fair
Immediately after the parade, the 2014 Fun-O-Rama Community Fair at 111th Square kicks off.
The 2014 Fun-O-Rama Community Fair at 111th Square opened with a moving flag ceremony, and went on to feature entertainment and interactive displays from Gateway merchants and organizations.
The Floyd Light Middle School Marching Band plays a concert, opening the Community Fair.
An indefatigable Gateway area booster, Fred Sanchez of Realty Brokers, welcomes the community to the neighborhood fair.
MCSO Deputy Jonelle Olszewski sings the National Anthem.
The 2014 Portland Rose Festival Court gathers for a photo – with the members of the Portland Police Cadets.
Nancy Sombong and Johnny Voraphet serve food from Montavilla’s Paitong Thai Cuisine – including hot and delicious traditional dishes such, as Pad Thai.
Throughout the afternoon, there are many things to see and do at the 2014 Fun-O-Rama Community Fair.
Find out more about GABA by
visiting their website: CLICK HERE
© 2014 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News
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