‘Tree Lighting’ kicks off Holiday season for Montavilla businesses

INCLUDES ILLUMINATING VIDEO | Discover the joys to be had by the families who come to play – and shop – in the Montavilla business district of outer East Portland …

At the Montavilla Street Plaza, along SE 79th Avenue – here, looking north towards Stark Street – folks gather for the Montavilla East Tabor Business Association’ Christmas Tree Lighting.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton

To formally start the Holiday season, the Montavilla East Tabor Business Association (METBA) lit up a beautiful tree on Saturday evening, December 7 at SE Stark Street, in the Montavilla Street Plaza.

Live Christmas carols – and classical music – by the duo of Ross Garlow and Matt Sazima provide a charming soundtrack for the brief-yet-delightful celebration.

“This evening is the kickoff to our Montavilla WinterFest celebration this year,” explained METBA President Neil Mattson, from Montavilla Guitar Studio. “Our METBA ‘Events Committee’ came with this idea of having a decorated tree here in the Public Plaza a couple years ago; and they’re in charge of our WinterFest events.”

Watch Montavilla’s Tree Lighting take place, in our video:

December 14 is “Santa Saturday” at Board Bard Games, where families are invited to “Grab your kids and your camera for a free event with hot cocoa and treats – and Santa waiting to hear your Christmas wishes,” organizers say.

Families linger, with eager anticipation, for the countdown to the tree lighting.

METBA Board Member Tina Granzo of City Beautiful Design serves hot chocolate to guest Jaclyn Le.

Many of the other 40 participating Montavilla-area merchants are also enticing folks with treats for visitors; yet others are providing additional fun activities; and many of the restaurants and taverns are offering food and drink specials.

In the glow of the lit Christmas tree, it’s revelers Teresa Looper, Marisol Flores, Thomas Ngo, here pausing for a photo.

December 21: A Very Merry Soiree
And, from now through at least December 21st, shoppers are invited to get a Montavilla WinterFest Passport, and collect five stickers to win raffle prizes. “Spend $5 at any participating business, and get a sticker to put on your passport,” informed Mattson. “And December 21st is the Very Merry Soiree, get double the stickers on that day!”

To see an online “walking map” of all the participating merchants: CLICK HERE.

Their lit Christmas tree welcomes all visitors to downtown Montavilla during this Holiday season.

The METBA’s Montavilla WinterFest is sponsored by Mr. Plywood, Adventist Health Portland, and Venture Portland.

Comments are closed.