Park fair celebrate summer in Wilkes

Take a look, and you’ll see this was more than just an average outer East Portland National Night Out event …

At Wilkes City Park, hundreds of neighbors gather for their annual summertime party.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton

The hot summer weather didn’t keep leaders of the Wilkes Community Group (WCG) from holding a party in Wilkes City Park on August 5 as they put on a community fair, concert, and Movie in the Park for area residents. And, it was an official “National Night Out” party as well.

Neighbors were gathered on the lawn, taking advantage of the shade, enjoying the Saturday afternoon and evening event.

After helping set up the party, WCG Chair Richard Mohle spends a moment with neighbor Alice Blatt.

“We’re doing this, with the help of a lot of volunteers – specifically, the East Portland Rovers, who come out and set up the canopies and the tables and the whole thing about 2:00 p.m. – so all the people in this neighborhood can have a wonderful night out, completely free of charge,” smiled WCG Chair Richard Mohle.

“Here, kids and adults are playing with balloons, getting face painting, and there’s all kinds of community support information here too, at our fair,” Mohle told East Portland News.

Face painter extraordinaire Lizzy Freeman decorates another youngster’s face.

Nonprofit organizations and governmental agencies provide information at the Wilkes summer party.

In a shaded area, kids were playing badminton on a new set; others were enjoying free snow cones.

“Good things happen when neighborhoods come together; we believe that when people get to see each other, they really feel like they’re more of a community,” Mohle observed.

Band Plan B plays Americana and Cajun tunes before dusk, when Portland Parks & Recreation shows “Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children” on a huge outdoor screen.

“We have a very diverse community here; people from different backgrounds, nationalities, backgrounds,” Mohle said. “But here in Wilkes, we’re one big community, and I think it’s important to get together, look at all the different people around you, meet your neighbors – and feel wonderful about living here in this great neighborhood!”

“It’s working very well here in out section of outer Northeast Portland,” Mohle reflected.

Find out more about WCG at their webpage: CLICK HERE.

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