Parkrose Marketplace continues to thrive

INCLUDES VIDEO VIGNETTE | Discover how this great, outer East Portland outdoor community event has thrived over the summer! If you missed their September market, take a look – there’s one more in October …

At the August Parkrose Marketplace staffing the Historic Parkrose (HP) Neighborhood Prosperity Initiative District welcoming table, representing the district, we found HP Community Outreach Coordinator Annette Stanhope, along with interns Sophia Pech, and Jacob Storm.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton

Since the first time it was held, on May 15 and 16, this year’s Parkrose Marketplace has become a destination, on the last weekend of every month, for shoppers, diners, and those looking for a safe way to meet other people outdoors.

>> To see our story about the inaugural
Parkrose Marketplace, CLICK HERE.

Under sunny, summery skies all summer long – last weekend being the exception – the Parkrose Marketplace has succeed far beyond the expectations of its organizer Terry Murphy.

In the Parkrose Marketplace’s management booth are organizer Terry Murphy spending a moment with helpers Colise Johnson, and James Pickering.

“As you’ll recall, this project is an offshoot of the Parkrose Stepping Up food-and-clothing support program which we ran during the height of the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic,” Murphy reminded East Portland News. “Looking forward, we created this concept to get the community more involved. We created this marketplace to have a place for crafters, food producers, and meal vendors to earn some money with their small and micro businesses.

“It’s also a place for neighbors – and, as it turns out, for people from all over the greater Portland area – to come with their families and have a great, safe place to be, for a few hours on a weekend.”

Displaying, and selling her locally-made product, Cajun Queen Barbecue Sauce, here’s Vernelle Taylor.

Cooling folks off with his frosty brew is Steven Himelfarb, of Parkrose’s own Level Beer.

They expect to have 60+ vendors on both Saturdays and Sundays, offering arts and crafts items – clothing, jewelry, homemade toiletries, all kinds of food both fresh and ready to eat – and prepared foods as well.

“And, you’ll notice that the Parkrose Marketplace has made this a place that welcomes BIPOC vendors too – providing an inclusive atmosphere, unlike most other markets,” Murphy asserted.

Vendors offer a distinctively-diverse array of products at each market.

“It’s a lot of work,” admitted Murphy. “But I do this because I really help people feel a greater sense of community here in Parkrose; it’s something unique that they ‘own’ and love.

“We couldn’t do this without the help and support of the Historic Parkrose Neighborhood Prosperity Initiative District…our wonderful vendors…and, of course, all those who come and visit each weekend!”

What’s a visit to the Parkrose Marketplace like?
Take a look at our VIDEO VIGNETTE:

Parkrose Marketplace

October 23 and 24
From 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.
Off NE Sandy Boulevard, south along the NE 108th Avenue “Street Plaza”
For more information, including affordable vendor spaces, CLICK HERE.

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