‘Street party’ kicks off Montavilla summer season

Here’s how business people and neighbors ‘warmed up’ for the really big shindig – their annual Street Fair – coming up the end of July …

Vendors set up in the Montavilla Street Plaza, as the Spring Block Party gets underway.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton

The weather felt like summertime in Montavilla, as the Montavilla East Tabor Business Association (METBA) held their “Spring Block Party” on Saturday afternoon, June 3rd.

The event “reactivated” the Montavilla Street Plaza on SE 79th Avenue, just north of Stark Street. [To read about the making of this Street Plaza, CLICK HERE.]

Here’s Past METBA President Tina Granzo, serving as the official alcohol monitor at the block party.

“The METBA hosted a couple of these seasonal events, before the coronavirus lockdown, over on NE Glisan Street,” recalled volunteer Tina Granzo from City Beautiful Design. “Before the pandemic, we held quarterly events, themed with the changes of each season.

Musically entertaining is Jeffrey Shapiro of MilShap Music.

“We have a couple of musicians with us today; including Moe Phillips, who just finished up a set, and now Jeffrey Shapiro is beginning,” Granzo told East Portland News.

As we looked over the Street Plaza, folks were coming to browse and shop at the vendors set up in the area, and to enjoy a glass of wine from Montavilla’s own Vino Veritas – or a frosty beverage from Threshold Brewing.

Toasting wine on a beautiful Saturday afternoon is a visitor from Parkrose, Julie Lovell, and her friend, Brigitte Jones from the Madison South neighborhood.

Hiroko Saso of Yellow Heart Sunshine Bakery sells her yummy cookies.

Gearing up for the Street Fair July 30

“We do have the Montavilla Street Fair coming up on July 30,” Granzo pointed out. “Today’s block party was way we’ve developed to attract a large number of people to visit our businesses here in Montavilla.

“Many of our retailers have special sales and events keyed to this block party,” Granzo continued. “And, the Montavilla Street Fair is important to our neighborhood, because it’s a very family-friendly event with lots of fun for kids and a great way to spend a pleasant afternoon.”

Activities for kids, like these, are always part of METBA public events!

The Montavilla Street Fair is on July 30 from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. CLICK HERE to see the story and video about the 2022 Fair.

Be a vendor – sign up before July 21: CLICK HERE for more information. It’s all happening along SE Stark Street, between 76th and 82nd Avenues.

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