Threatening skies – and then a downpour – didn’t seem to dampen spirits at this civic event put on the Gateway Area Business Association. And, see when Mayor Charlie Hales is expected to speak at their upcoming meeting …
The 2013 Gateway Fun-O-Rama Parade starts east, along NE Halsey Street from NE 106th Avenue.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Planners of outdoor events scheduled for May know that raindrops can always fall at their festivities.
But, the rain held off long enough on the afternoon of May 18, for their 2013 Fun-O-Rama Parade, until just after their parade down NE Halsey Street – from NE 106th Avenue east to NE 114th Avenue, in the Hazelwood neighborhood in outer East Portland.
Members of the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office serve as Color Guard for Gateway Fun-O-Rama Parade.
Waving to the crowd from atop the Wells Fargo stagecoach is GABA’s current “Citizen of the Year”, Portland Police Bureau East Precinct Officer Michael Gallagher and his wife (along with the driver!)..
Many volunteers from the Gateway Area Business Association (GABA) worked countless hours to promote the event, and then lined up the entries, and dispatched the parade, on schedule, at 1:00 p.m.
“This is really cool!” said 5-year-old Amy Gunderson, as the Parkrose High School Marching Band played its mobile concert.
While the clouds steadily darkened overhead, the parade rolled on.
The Parkrose High School Marching Band adds toe-tapping music to the parade.
Portland Rose Festival David Douglas Princess Kelsey Milks and Parkrose Princess Kyeanna Henry – with Parkrose School District Superintendent Dr. Karen Fisher Gray – ride in the parade.
Parade watcher Allison Cook gets a squeak of the GABA Rubber Chicken from Gateway Keystone Kop Brad Sanchez, of Realty Brokers.
The Floyd Light Middle School Falcon Marching Band plays while it marches along.
Portland City Commissioner Amanda Fritz, a past “Gateway Citizen of the Year”, waves to the crowd.
Little Gracie Shepard rides her tricycle along the parade route – with some help from her dad, Duke Shepard.
These roller derby girls in training, the “Portland Rose Pedals”, skate along.
Folks from US Bank ride the antique fire truck, just ahead of Portland Fire & Rescue Engine 30.
Gateway Fun-O-Rama Community Fair
GABA President Fred Sanchez, of Realty Brokers, welcomes guests to the Community Fair.
The Community Fair fills with folks, just after the parade ends.
Cooperating, as they do in so many ways, to assist outer East Portland education, David Douglas School District Superintendent Don Grotting and Parkrose School District Superintendent Dr. Karen Fisher Gray share the duties of judging entries in the parade.
The 2013 Portland Rose Festival Court members introduce themselves, and pitch the festival’s upcoming events.
Raffle Chair Deborah Higa, Business Services Coordinator at Community Works Project, is ready to begin giving away prizes.
elling folks about the East Portland Neighborhood Office Coalition is Arlene Kimura, President of the Hazelwood Neighborhood Association.
Members of the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office reluctantly give up on the Flag Ceremony, as a deluge of rain washes across the GABA Fun-O-Rama Community Fair.
Mayor Charlie Hales to speak June 13
Members and guests of the Gateway Area Business Association will meet to eat and network starting at 11:30 a.m. on June 13.
This month, Portland Mayor Charlie Hales will be speaking on, “Direction for Portland’s Future”; and Marc Goldberg, from Mt. Hood Community College, will present “Resources for Small Business”.
GABA is now meeting in the Loaves and Fishes Center at 740 SE 106th Avenue (in the East Portland Community Center, between SE Stark Street and Cherry Blossom Drive). Lunch is available for an $8.00 “suggested donation”. For more information, see their all-new website: CLICK HERE.
© 2013 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News
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