Six Pic Saturday: Mississippi Street Fair

How do you know you've arrived at a Portland street festival?



Mass bike parking.

Also, the requisite hula hoop dancer:



In case you were in doubt, this van is green:



And this one is orange:



A Radio Flyer shrine-to-go:



And for all those hot hoopers and pavement pounders, a little icicle tricycle to whet your palate:

Six Pic Saturday: A Crafty Renegade Affair

Renegade owl
Originally uploaded by Katherine H

15 September 2007

Feeling assured that I could find my way back to the hotel, I set out to explore the Renegade Craft Fair in the Wicker Park neighborhood of Chicago.

I must admit a bit of a fascination with an online website for all things handmade. Twice a year, the crafty folks at etsy, host two Renegade Craft Fairs. I missed the one in Brooklyn, but the one in Chicago? Uh, sure, I could make that one.



The CTA Blue Line Buddha greeted me each time I emerged from the underground station to catch the #8 bus on Halstead Street.



A quick stop at the Milk & Honey Cafe on Division Street yielded a tasty ricotta tart for breakfast before I hit the pavement to explore the booths.



One could find all manner of handcrafted items to expend their hard-earned cash on. Myself, I'm a little partial to letterpressed cards and stationery. This booth had lovely linen pillow slips, canvases, and bags.



This trio of college students was gleefully searching the bins for old Hardy Boys books deconstructed into spiral-bound journals.



It was almost as much fun to examine the unique business cards I collected from the vendors once I returned to the hotel!

The Extended Summer Season

hula
Originally uploaded by Katherine H.

Today I ventured to southeast Portland for the Belmont Street Fair. Held every second Saturday of September, it easily evokes the spirit of summer even though school doors have opened and work schedules resumed.

This neighborhood street fair seems to say, "Hey, we can't get enough of that summer silliness! The calendar may say you have to settle into a routine, but there is still fun to be had!"

September is often a glorious weather month in Oregon, and today was a terrific example of blue sky and sun. It was perfect for walking the blocks while admiring art, inhaling the aroma of street cuisine, and listening to local bands.



The fair was my first exposure to Tingatinga paintings. I loved the vibrant colors and distinctive, lyrical painting style that originated in Tanzania.

No Dance Partner Necessary

Bike banners
Originally uploaded by Katherine H.

I remember the first time I thought I was delusional. I was reading in bed one evening and briefly lifted my gaze from the page to the window, only to catch out of the corner of my eye a glimpse of a man riding a unicycle. I did a double take.

What did I just see? Yes, a small man in a bow tie and carrying a briefcase was cycling uphill past my house and around the corner. I shrugged my shoulders, turned off the light, and slid underneath the covers…hoping that the image would fade from memory as sure as the daylight would soon arrive.



As it turned out, I would meet that man, Mr. Terry, a few months later. He was called to serve as the Bishop of the young adult congregation I worshiped with in Salt Lake City. And he did, indeed, ride a unicycle with a bright blue seat to and from his office downtown. I imagined that his business card read something like this:

Richard Terry, Attorney at Law
Passionate Unicyclist

Good balance, powerful legs, fossil fuel savings – I’m not sure what motivated him. If you visited his home, you would discover several unicycles hanging upside down in the mud room. And it wasn’t just his hobby, but a growing family tradition. Another image impressed in my memory is the evening I looked out the window and saw not only him, but also his twenty-one-year-old-bowtie-clad son pedaling up the hill toward home.



Today the fifth annual Multnomah County Bike Fair was holding court at Colonel Summers Park in Southeast Portland.

Bike dancers from Vancouver, BC, entertained the crowd, and a small fairway of venders and bike-friendly programs promoted their wares. There were silly competitions (three bikes, two people, and one moving entity) to enter, bike lore to share with fellow cyclists, and a cavalcade of homemade bike accessories to admire.

There were no unicycles in sight at the fair today. But in true Portlander spirit, there was plenty of verve and passion and silly fashions.



Click to see more photos from the fair.

Under the Autumn Moon

Chinatown Lamppost
Originally uploaded by Katherine H.

Autumn in the Pacific Northwest has been ushered in with spectacular weather: blue skies, high temperatures, and the glow of amber and crimson leaves.

This weekend is the Autumn Moon Festival in the Chinatown/Old Town section of Portland. It’s a celebration of tradition and history, as well as shaping a path for continued appreciation of culture and diversity.

For the past several years, the city has been busy with a development project in Old Town. They’ve installed more of the uniform red lampposts throughout the district, as well as updated signage, poured new curbs and sidewalks, installed public art and historical markers, and planted over 100 new trees. The festival was a way to reintroduce the public to this revitalized area.

Two different stages for musical entertainment anchored the festival streets along Third and Fourth Avenues. In between, you’ll find an assortment of curios shops, restaurants, and even an herbalist. The Hailin Temple, an unassuming storefront from the street, was conducting a Zambhala Dharma Assembly. A look inside reveals bright colors and ornate decorations lining this inviting space.

The Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association was the hub for youth-oriented activities, including origami. Two large dragons, which no doubt had danced in the streets during the morning parade, remained on display in the hall. One could also watch or join in various games using mahjong tiles.

An indoor warehouse was converted into a global bazaar space for the weekend. One could sip the milk out of a whole coconut, then return to have the vendor split the orb in half to enjoy the tender meat inside. Along with art, pottery, and imported food stuffs, one could also touch the soft and pliant texture of clothing woven from bamboo fiber. Throughout the bazaar, little girls in silk kimonos with baskets wandered around proffering fortune cookies to festival goers.

On the adjacent plaza, the pungent aromas of food vendors mingled with the steady rhythms of the cooking demonstrations and the beats rising from the World Stage. I enjoyed watching several numbers performed by Portland Taiko, a local ensemble that practices and teaches this traditional Japanese drumming performance art.

Ferragosto

little italy lamppost
Originally uploaded by Katherine H.

It wouldn't be August without the requisite visit to the Italian Cultural Fair in Salt Lake City. A tiny affair, it grows a little bit in popularity and sponsorship each year.

Why do I go? To enjoy the gelato and Italian ice, of course! For the past two years, my friends Heather and Karin have joined me as we peruse the booths and sit in the shade to happily share vibrant flavors such as black cherry, pistachio, and lemon.

As we pass the nearby bocce competition, we leave pining for another Italian adventure!

A Painted Sense of History

on horseback
Originally uploaded by Katherine H.

In central Washington as you travel along Highway 97 you will pass the small farming community of Toppenish. You will be tempted to just keep on driving, to continue on your journey and reach your destination, but a brief stop here to stretch your legs will be worth the time.

Highlighting the historical importance of the area, buildings throughout the downtown area showcase 69 murals that are thoroughly researched and meticulously painted – with one new mural being added each year. You’ll find a depiction of an early hop harvest, a round of an Indian stick game, migratory waterfowl, and a mother hanging out the wash among other scenes that hearken back to the history of the area "where the West still lives.”

You can guide yourself on a personal walking tour of the murals by following the brass horseshoes embedded in the sidewalks, or join an official tour which will transport you by wagon while imparting local facts and stories.

Want to see the artists in action? The First Saturday of each June, mural artists gather in a race against the clock to complete the new mural in one day. Bleachers are set up for spectators, and a small food and craft fair accompanies the event.

If your travels take you through the Yakima Valley during the first weekend in August, make a stop at the Guerra farm in Sunnyside and enjoy the fabulous dinner they prepare each year as part of their Chile Pepper Festival.

*Clicking on the picture will link you to photos of additional murals

A Saturday of Sun and Saveur

concentration
Originally uploaded by Katherine H.

With the hot afternoon sun already drawing crowds to the cascading fountain at Jamison Square Park, the area was brimming with music, food, and francophiles in celebration of Bastille Day. Of particular anticipation was the second annual Waiters Race, in which servers from local bars and restaurants competed for prizes (and bragging rights).

The task was to speedwalk – good waiters never run – multiple times around the perimeter of the square, the total distance roughly equaling one mile. Sounds simple, right? The trick was doing it in traditional Parisian waiter attire while balancing a tray with a full water bottle and three full glasses. The successful participant would pass the finish line with as close to a “full complement” as possible. Penalties were assigned for spilled items, or tactics such as balancing the tray against the body for stability. The best times after figuring in the penalties collected one round-trip air ticket to Paris (first place) and small cash awards (second and third places).

Balloon Blogging from Bend

balloon glow
Originally uploaded by Katherine H.

The first time I saw a hot air balloon night glow was entirely by happenstance. I was living in southeastern New Mexico at the time, serving as a missionary, and enjoying dinner with some members of the local congregation. Bobbing up over their backyard fence we could see the balloons inflate and rise into golden orbs glowing in the evening spring air. Dinner was forgotten as we dashed around the block to watch and mingle and enjoy the event.

That was ten years ago, and I’ve thought many times about attending another balloon fest. When I found out about the Balloons Over Bend Festival a couple of months ago, I quickly made plans to go. Tonight was the balloon glow at Pilot Butte State Park. I arrived just in time to watch the balloons glow in the twilight for about ten minutes before deflating and packing up for tomorrow’s morning flight.

Since I don’t land in Bend that often, dinner was the gnocchi genovese at Giuseppe’s Italian Ristorante. The gnocchi is seared crisp on the top, and served with grilled leeks and sautéed pancetta and mushrooms over a creamy gorgonzola sauce. It’s definitely a good idea to bring a hungry dining companion with you.

Hood River Harvest Bounty

Hood River Harvest Fest
Originally uploaded by Katherine H.

Every October, when the third weekend of the month rolls around, Hood River County celebrates its harvest bounty of apples and pears. Each year as the Hood River Valley Harvest Festival has grown larger, smaller events have also sprung up to entice visitors to journey off the beaten path and explore the surrounding orchards at the base of Mt. Hood.

The harvest festival is the perfect catalyst for setting out on a day-long driving trip. Exit 64 along I-84 east will deposit you at the festival grounds. After enjoying the handmade crafts and purchasing a bag or two of local fruit, you can follow what is known as the "fruit loop." This jaunt will take you through the rural communities of Odell, Parkdale, and Pine Grove. While your objective may be to handpick some apples or enjoy a hayride, you'll also be rewarded with the sight of changing leaves from vibrant ochre, deep red, and even vivid yellow as the elevation climbs.

Two particularly fine stops along the route are the Apple Valley Country Store where you can enjoy fresh huckleberry shakes and outdoor barbeque, and the Mt. View Orchards Fruit Stand which offers thirty apple and pear varieties along with cider, jams, and pear fudge.

All Things Polish

Polish food
Originally uploaded by Katherine H.

My affection for Polish food began in Salt Lake City, when a co-worker would prepare traditional dishes each year as Easter neared for our entire office. When I discovered that Portland holds a Polish Festival each September, I had to go in order to satiate my cravings.

Early Polish immigrants to Oregon settled in the Overlook District of North Portland. By 1892 they had formed their own Polish National Alliance chapter, and in 1907 built the St. Stanislaus Roman Catholic Church. In 1911, the Polish Library Hall was erected just south of the church. For the past 12 years North Failing Street, which runs between the two buildings, has been cordoned off and the festival is held on these historic grounds.

To ease the congestion of long lines, the festival employs the use of tokens for the purchase of food and drink. For nine tokens, I was served a plate with kielbasa sausage, golabki (a cabbage roll stuffed with rice and ground pork), two pierogis, a spoonful of hunter’s stew, and a soft roll. Also available were potato pancakes, kapusta, traditional desserts and coffee, and Polish beer.

Along with the food court, a fairway with vendors selling everything from traditional Polish pottery to literature lines the adjacent parking lot.

The entertainment stage is full of activity throughout the festival with singers and dance groups. Particularly enthralling is the local dance troupe Sobotka , comprised of three age groups ranging from 5 years to over 50. With their brightly colored costumes and quick-stepping footwork, they embody the festival spirit of culture and celebration that draws attendees back year after year. Next year, I will have to make sure I don’t miss the polka contest and the Oregon Polka Beats performance!

What's a little chalk dust?

Audrey
Originally uploaded by Katherine H.

My curiosity was piqued by a small clip in a local newspaper last week. It stated that Forest Grove would be holding its 15th Annual Sidewalk Chalk Art Festival, and anyone was welcome to come and participate. For only $10, you were assigned a 3 x 3 sidewalk block and given a tray of colorful chalk. The rest of the creation was up to the individual.

The ambitious arrived at 9am, although it appeared that a number of participants had just started not too long before I arrived around one o’clock. Some came prepared with sketches or books to guide their illustrations. Others seemed to employ a freestyle approach to the content of their squares. For several, it was a family affair. A number of the participants were students at neighboring Pacific University.

Some pieces conveyed a political or personal belief, while others expressed whimsy with their bright colors beaming up from the sidewalk. A variety of techniques were also evident among the artists. Carpet placed over completed sections of the collage would protect it from smudging, while allowing the artist to sit on top of it to finish hard-to-reach places. Spray bottles and brushes gave wet chalk a new patina. One piece even had a dusting of glitter to enhance its eye-catching appeal.

Drawings were to be finished by 3 pm, and following by an evening Italian-styled passegiata from 4-8 pm during which visitors and community members could stroll along and enjoy the artwork created earlier in the day.