Activities, hot dogs, popcorn, and a movie: See how this outer East Portland neighborhood celebrates ‘National Night Out Against Crime’ …
Earl Boyles Park fills with guests, as the Powellhurst-Gilbert Neighborhood Association Community Fair gets underway.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
As have they’ve done for the past seven years, on the first Saturday afternoon of August, members of the Powellhurst-Gilbert Neighborhood Association threw a party for their large neighborhood.
The August 1 event was again in Earl Boyles Park. The canopy of towering trees sheltered the festival from the blazing sun; the light breeze made for a comfortable late afternoon and evening event.
Returning “Hot Dog Chefs” Brian Lockwood and Lyle Boisen cook up free “tube-steak dinners” for visitors.
“We host a ‘Community Fair’ as part of our National Night Out Against Crime celebration,” organizer Barbara Klinger told East Portland News.
It takes a lot of work, Klinger admitted. “But because we love the community and love to see people come and have a good time, which makes it worthwhile. This is an opportunity to share a good time with the hundreds of people who come.”
The best part for her, Klinger said, was “being with the people of my community. I don’t know why, but it makes me happy!”
Gentle Biff squeaks and twists balloon creations for delighted kids.
East Portland Rovers volunteer Brenda McSweeney from the Glenfair neighborhood scoops snow cones.
Volunteers Silas Covert-Keefe and Richard Dickinson are ready to greet visitors in the Powellhurst-Gilbert Neighborhood Association booth.
At the fair, representatives from civic, nature, school, and service nonprofit organizations, and government bureaus as well, provided information to those who stopped by their booths.
Kids were immediately attracted to the Portland Parks & Recreation climbing wall, and a “Bounce House” set up among the trees.
Kids rush to try their skill on the PP&R climbing wall.
The band, Echoes of Yasgurs, provides a musical backdrop.
Starting about 6:30 p.m., Echoes of Yasgurs (three former members of the River City Band) played “nostalgic easy-listening rock music for every occasion” on the stage that had been set up near the giant Movie in the Park screen. At dusk, Portland Parks showed the 2015 movie, How to Train Your Dragon 2.
“When people get together, we get to be a community, and get to know each other,” observed Klinger. “And, we all have opportunities for them to learn about safety, and about the community resources that are available.”
© 2015 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News
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