‘White Lotus Summer Market’ expands to month-long event

INCLUDES COLORFUL VIDEO | Take a look at the excitement of this lively and entertaining summertime marketplace. Also, learn about their “Mid Autumn Festival” coming up on September 14th, at Eastport Plaza …

A crowd of guests at this White Lotus Summer Market gather to watch, as The White Lotus Foundation “Lucky Lions” perform.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton

Over four mid-year weekends, ending on August 4, The White Lotus Foundation hosted the White Lotus Summer Market, an AANHPI (Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander) celebration of culture, merchandise – and, most importantly, foods.

The location was the block-long parking lot along the north side of the Emmert International Marketplace – the former location of the now-closed Foster Road Fred Meyer superstore – along SE 82nd Avenue of Roses.

Yes, these Lucky Lion performers climbed up these platforms while performing acrobatics.

See what it was like to attend one of these exhilarating market afternoon and evenings, and hear the organization’s Executive Director tell about them:

“Each weekend went very well; there was always a diverse crowd who attended,” The White Lotus Foundation’s President Nhan Danh told East Portland News after this summer’s last Market Day.

The White Lotus Foundation President Nhan Danh poses with these ladies, while their friend snaps a photo.

“As we’d hoped, the market was packed during the evening; and, overall, it was very successful – something much appreciated by our vendors and our main host, Shun Fat Market,” Danh continued.

“Many of those with whom I spoke were saying that, although they’d lived in Portland for 20+ years, they’d never been able to attend a celebration like this – an event that reminds them of the night markets they experienced in Southeast Asia,” Danh said with an air of satisfaction.

Vendor Christy Pham, of Fun Party Box, shows one of her hand-decorated, ceramic mugs, with a coffee press, that she sells.

Folks patiently stand in line to purchase some of the delicious “Asian street food” for sale at the market.

Dining outside with their families at this event reminds many visitors of Southeast Asian marketplaces.

Many visitors returned when they learned that vendors were rotating in and out, providing new booths to explore at each session, Danh pointed out. “And, as word got out, more vendors discovered our market and continued to sign up over the four weekends, totaling eight market days – something that no other AANHPI celebration has done before!”

As the sun sets, the White Lotus Summer Market continues to swirl with activity.

Cumulatively, about 8,000 people attended these night markets, put on primarily by vendors. remarked Danh.

Coming up September 14: Asian Mid Autumn Festival
The organization is putting on another event, the Mid Autumn Festival, on September 14, from 2:00 until 10:00 p.m., announced Danh.

“It’s Portland’s premiere Mid Autumn Festival, providing a day filled with cultural performances, delicious food, unique merchandise, and a beautiful lantern parade.” This family-friendly event is FREE to enter.

>> CLICK HERE to see our story and video about last year’s Mid Autumn Festival!

It’s at Eastport Plaza, in the new Hong Phat Supercenter [at the former WALMART location] parking lot, located at 4200 SE 82nd Avenue, just north of Holgate Boulevard. To see their event website, CLICK HERE.

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