Category: Event

Community, Construction, Event August 11, 2026August 11, 2026

Remodeled Belmont Library Opening Aug 15 Weekend

After nearly two years closed for renovations, the Belmont Library at 1038 SE Cesar Estrada Chavez Boulevard reopens for a weekend celebration. People can attend the ribbon-cutting ceremony at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, August 15th, and then enter the building starting at 10 a.m. for two days of activities highlighting the new facilities and amenities. This Multnomah County library features fabric artwork mimicking large-scale pages torn from a spiral notebook created by Britt Howard with Portland Garment Factory. This Montavilla business burned down in 2021 and was later relocated to a building adjacent to Interstate 205.

Exterior view of a modern library building under construction, featuring a red metal facade and large windows. A construction worker is using a lift to work on the upper part of the building, while another worker stands nearby. A sign for the library is displayed in front, surrounded by a fence and construction cones.

On September 7th, 2024, the Belmont Library closed for renovations that tripled its original size with a two-story addition to the 1924-era brick building. Demolition crews removed portions of the building added in 2000 and part of the parking lot to make way for the now-completed addition. Despite its modest 5,420-square-foot capacity, this branch was one of the busiest locations in the entire Multnomah County Library system before closing. During the closure, patrons visited a temporary branch at 3557 SE Hawthorne Boulevard. Library staff provided extra effort to keep the temporary location open even as they worked to ready the new facility for this opening weekend. However, the community has been without a local pickup location since August 3rd, and the hold shelves at the new location are already populated with an impressive number of reserved books, according to staff.

Sign indicating Multnomah County Library, Belmont branch, with a notice stating 'LIBRARY CLOSED' due to construction, reopening in Spring 2026, and listing nearest library locations.

This work is part of a voter-approved library expansion initiative and represents the last major update to complete the work. Bora Architecture and Interiors designed this cross-laminated timber expansion featuring wood products from Oregon and Washington. Crews created dedicated areas for different age groups of readers. The entire century-old part of the building serves the youngest patrons and their caregivers with interactive and tactile displays, size-appropriate furniture, and shelves of children’s books. This area also features remembrances of Jeanie Diaz, a youth librarian killed by a driver who crashed into a bus stop near the library where she was waiting in 2023. People can see a note from one of Diaz’s two children inside an interactive display. Library representatives say a plaque honoring Jeanie Diaz is also planned for the space.

A hand-drawn note on a piece of cardboard that reads 'mom loves Myra I LOVE YOU too' surrounded by colorful decorative objects. — *_{A note from Jeanie Diaz’s child included in the Belmont Library’s kids reading room interactive display.}*

In addition to the kids’ room, holds pick-up area, and Lucky Day items shelves, the first floor also features a large reservable community space for gatherings and events. Other amenities and the primary book shelves are on the second floor, accessed by two elevators and a public staircase at the front of the building. Visitors can find flexible meeting spaces with updated technology, laptops for on-site work, and fixed computer stations. Library staff understand the changing role of the public resource they provide. Consequently, high-speed internet throughout the facility is a key feature of these upgrades, along with access to printers and other digital tools people require to connect with job opportunities and services. This top-floor space also offers a teen area with facilities for homework and creative expression, alongside young-adult book titles on the adjacent shelves.

Three large, abstract paper sculptures resembling sails or wings, suspended from a ceiling with wooden beams and black pendant lights. — *_{Fabric artwork mimicking large scale pages torn a spiral notebook created by Britt Howard}*

Above the teen space is the fabric artwork by Britt Howard that looks like a paper airplane made from a lined spiral notebook page. A paper fortune teller and a crumpled ball flank the classic folded flyer. Its exaggerated scale and playful, soft-sculpted schoolroom shapes provide a sense of place where young people fight boredom and embrace their own interests. The upper walls of the second floor feature a mural with over 200 handmade objects integrated into the artwork. It is the creation of Pacific Northwest artist Emily Counts.

A modern library interior featuring bookshelves filled with various books, a large table with stylish lamps, and comfortable seating. — *_{LED lights with device charging ports at a reading table in the library shelves}*

The new library offers four on-site parking spaces. Two are reserved for people with a Disabled Person Parking Permit to use without a time limit, and the other two are available for quick visits that are less than 15 minutes. Crews reconstructed the sidewalk around Belmont Library, making more space for pedestrians and adding locations with enlarged bicycle parking that can support cargo bikes. Landscapers have planted new street trees to replace some cut down during construction and have also installed other public amenities around the property.

An interior view of a modern self-service checkout area featuring conveyor belts and a digital screen displaying instructions. — *_{Automated material handling equipment sorts returned books into bins}*

Technology improvements in the facility also assist staff with automated material handling, which sorts returned books into bins for transfer or reshelving. Kiosks throughout the building allow people to find titles and resources or check out items without needing to find a person for assistance. However, public feedback made clear that people visiting this branch also enjoy the human interaction. So the library features strategically located desks in public places so that an employee is often accessible to visitors and staff can see if people need help. They also use an in-building communication system that lets everyone stay in contact wherever they are for support and collaboration that isn’t tied to a desk.

People interested in joining the weekend celebration starting at 9:30 a.m. on August 15th can park in the Walgreens lot to the north of the library or take public transit to the location. After the office opening, the library will resume its normal schedule and welcome back an eager public to this well-used community resource.

Article and Photos by

Jacob Loeb

Promotion: Check out East Portland News as it continues to advocate for and report on outer East Portland. You will find frequently updated articles and an archive of more than 5,000 stories written over the past 20+ years alongside a robust Community Calendar of events.

Community, Event August 9, 2026August 16, 2026

2026 Adult Soapbox Derby Saturday Aug 15

On Saturday, August 15th, the PDX Adult Soapbox Derby returns for its 27th year of gravity-induced fun. Starting at 10 a.m., people will gather for this free event along SE Reservoir Loop Drive and at locations around the Mt. Tabor Park course to watch contestants roll down the extinct urban volcano at increasing speed. Over 150 volunteers will assist racers and attendees on the derby day until the event concludes at 4 p.m. Montavilla residents can cheer on the local business entrant and sponsor, Covert Cafe.

A man wearing a white shirt with colorful patches and a baseball cap stands confidently on a road at a lively event. In the background, spectators gather around homemade vehicles while trees line the area. — *_{PDX Adult Soapbox Derby 2025 (Jacob Loeb)}*

In the summer of 1997, Paul Zenk and Eric Foren loosely organized a small group of friends to race down Mt. Tabor’s winding roads in an event that would create the inaugural PDX Adult Soapbox Derby. The annual community gathering has grown yearly to include 42 racing teams and between 7,000 and 10,000 spectators. This free-to-attend day of races features highly engineered carts and some haphazardly crafted contraptions that all rely on gravity for propulsion. People wishing to attend should anticipate walking some distance to the event and bringing water or other refreshments. Some concession items and merchandise are available for purchase at the event.

A colorful, decorated parade float shaped like a car, featuring bright green fur and a large, whimsical character with a blue head and pink arms. Two participants are sitting inside the float, while a fire truck with firefighters is in the foreground, and a large crowd is visible in the background enjoying the parade. — *_{PDX Adult Soapbox Derby 2025 (Jacob Loeb)}*

In 2016, Justin James and his ‘Team Rusty Rocket’ secured the track’s fastest run at 71.10 seconds. Each year, participants put in significant effort to create fast, thematically creative entries. Some carts travel up to 50 MPH down the paved park roads as they try to secure the quickest time or the biggest cheers. The Soapbox Derby is a family-friendly event, but volunteers must clear the track before each run for safety, and responsible adults need to remain close enough to ensure their children are out of the way when a race starts. Parking in the park and neighborhood is limited, and people should plan to bike, walk, or take transit.

This article will update with photos of the 2026 Adult Soapbox Derby

Article and photos by

Jacob Loeb

Map of the PDX Adult Soapbox Derby event area, featuring designated parking, rest areas, food and beverage locations, first aid, and a walking trail. — *_{2026 Adult Soapbox Derby map courtesy PDX ADULT SOAPBOX DERBY}*

Entertainment, Event, Food and Drink, New Business July 22, 2026July 22, 2026

Landmark Reopening as Switchback Saloon Retaining Social Core

For sixteen years, the Landmark Saloon served the community below the western base of Mt Tabor at 4847 SE Division Street before closing on February 13th. Regulars at that establishment, Graham Talley and Scott Phillips, feared the loss of an affordable community gathering space in an area undergoing significant redevelopment. They took over the lease of the converted 1906-era house and brought on Nick Wilson, who previously owned the Landmark, to guide them as they spruced up the place. On Friday, July 24th, they will begin a two-day grand opening celebration for the Switchback Saloon with drink specials and live music.

Interior of a bar featuring wooden floors and colorful walls, with two patrons sitting on bar stools at the counter. Tables are arranged in the foreground and arcade machines are visible in the background.

The Switchback Saloon is a cultural continuation of the Landmark, but it’s also a new business that draws inspiration from the community and staff as it constructs its future. The owners want to make sure Landmark regulars feel at home in the updated establishment, but they also want to make their space inviting to all people looking for a third space—a location that is neither home nor work. “We’ve met a lot of folks here over the years, and it’s been a good community gathering space,” explained Phillips. “The watering hole that everyone goes to.” However, they know the national trend shows people drinking less adult beverages. Consequently, they are embracing non-alcoholic drink options that include mocktails and NA-beers. They are also looking at serving coffee in the morning with breakfast items that will not price out a neighborhood regular. “We really want to be a resource to serve the community,” said Talley. “We probably won’t be doing anything really fancy, but if someone can come and spend $10 to $12 to get a good filling breakfast, and a cup of coffee under $5, I think that would be great.”

An arcade room featuring a colorful '4P VS' game machine and a bright 'PHOTOBOOTHT!' sign with an arrow, set against a warm-toned wall. — *_{The well liked photo-booth will remain but the arcade games will be replaced by a pooltable}*

People will have to wait for some of the new additions. Work to this point has focused on repairing the hardwood floors inside, completely reconstructing the two bathrooms to remove their “dive-bar” aesthetic, updating the kitchen, and general decluttering of the building. As they make changes and plans for the future, the partners say they are involving staff in those choices. “We’re passionate about alternative business models and methods, a more democratic workplace where the staff gets to decide the policies, not just us dictating them,” explained Talley. They will be instituting profit-sharing programs and keeping the books open, letting employees see the finances.

Exterior view of a yellow restaurant with a saloon sign, featuring a fenced patio and picnic tables, surrounded by greenery and urban buildings.

Both the new owners are experienced businesspeople, but have never owned a foodservice or bar establishment. That is why they are seeking help from the former owner and the people who know the space well. “The decisions we’re making around here are coming from literally interviewing the customers and our staff to figuring out what they want to see,” said Talley. “There definitely seems to be a demand for a little more low-scale offerings, like the cowboy breakfast and cowboy coffee.”

A wooden outdoor structure with a slatted roof, featuring a vintage black-and-white mural of a man in a hat, positioned above a wooden bar counter, with a few decorative items nearby and blue parasols leaning against the wall. — *_{Outdoor stage for scheduled performers}*

The nod to the cowboy in the menu is intentional. The Landmark Saloon was a well-received country and western music venue with small stages for recognizable regional performers and developing musicians in the genre. The Switchback Saloon will continue that to a degree but will also make room for other tastes. “We’re planning on expanding outside of just the classic kind of country western honky tonk, still doing live instrumentation, but we’ll be expanding into jazz, funk, and soul,” said Talley. They removed the permanent stage at the front of the interior seating area to make room for more tables, but will replace it with a convertible stage that can transform from a guest area in 30 minutes on event nights. The existing outdoor covered stage will remain the primary venue space, as it is centrally located in the large private yard adjacent to the saloon.

An outdoor pavilion with picnic tables under a roof, surrounded by trees and a garden area. A trash bin is present on the left, and a wooden shed is visible in the background. — *_{Covers outdoor seating and racked corn hole game boards}*

The new owners acknowledge that there are several other bars in the area, but note that this one offers a unique format that is not easy to replicate in an area where available land is rapidly being redeveloped for multifamily projects. The saloon’s property features a large outdoor patio that is several times the size of the bar’s interior. Within that fenced outdoor area is a stage, a secondary bar serving canned beers and shots, and clusters of covered seating fill all corners, and bark-chip-covered grounds make room for outdoor game play, including corn hole. Within the exterior space is Leroy’s Familiar Vittles food cart. That independent business operates overlapping hours with the saloon and is the primary food service provider. The menu features smoked and grilled meats along with mac and cheese, collard greens, and other classic country dishes.

A wooden bar counter in front of a food truck with the sign 'LeRoy's familiar vittles' displayed on the side. — *_{Leroy’s Familiar Vittles food cart}*

Their drink menu features mostly local beers on tap and whisky. The owners explained that they sell a healthy number of packaged beers, with some notoriety. “We sell a ton of cans. I think at some point, [Landmark Saloon] was like number five for Rainier sales in the entire country,” recalled Talley. “We still sell out of Rainier cans every weekend,” added Phillips. They will add craft beer and some top-shelf whisky to meet higher-end interests, but appreciate the affordability of canned beer. “It’s one of our cheapest drinks. Buying a Tallboy, coming out here, hanging out with friends, that’s very much one of the things that we want to keep alive,” said Talley. “Regardless of what is in your bank account, people should have that third space they can go to and just actually hang out with old friends and new ones.”

Interior view of a rustic wooden bar setup with two TVs displaying a sports broadcast, various decorations on the walls, and shelves stocked with drinks. — *_{Second bar outside for cans and shot sales}*

The regulars are already back in the space as word of the reopening spreads, but the owners know they will need to find new people looking for a social space. “Gen Z’s not as active in the bar scene, and I think in Portland you’ve seen less activity in some of these local bars, which is why they’ve closed,” said Phillips. He hopes their investment in the Switchback will keep Portlanders invested in their local bar spaces and help bolster personal interactions. “Whether it’s for music, or events, or just to hang out with their friends after work, whatever it is, just keeping that social connection alive.” Talley acknowledges it will take work to keep this space alive. “I know from experience it’s not easy running a small business, and there are a lot of bars shutting down. I’m just hoping we keep getting the support that we’ve been getting so far from the Portland community, so that we can keep going.”

Two men smiling together in a casual setting, with a bar and a television in the background. — *_{New owners Scott Phillips (left) and Graham Talley (right)}*

The Switchback Saloon’s grand opening spans Friday to Saturday, July 24th and 25th. They currently serve people from 3 pm to midnight on weekdays and open an hour earlier on the weekends. Times will adjust as they update offerings. The event will feature live music both nights and a mustache-shaving service, where the new owner, Graham Talley, will remove his well-groomed lip hair in solidarity with patrons who want to start the long and awkward grow-out period. Past patrons and interested people are invited to the grand opening of the Switchback Saloon. The owners hope everyone will enjoy the updates and the homage to its past incarnation. For those not excited for the name change, they may only need to wait until the old name becomes available again in the State registry. Graham Talley and Scott Phillips said the new name is an inside joke because, after much effort to find a new name, they decided it didn’t matter and may “switch back to calling it Landmark.”

Article and photos by

Jacob Loeb

Community, Entertainment, Event, Food and Drink July 20, 2026July 20, 2026

2026 Montavilla Street Fair July 26

On Sunday, July 26th, the Montavilla East Tabor Business Association (METBA) will host the 13th annual Street Fair on SE Stark Street. Early that morning, crews will close the road from SE 82nd to 76th Avenues, along with segments of side streets, to allow the 150 booth operators to set up ahead of the 10 a.m. opening. Vendors will sell a variety of items, including food and drinks, unique artwork, handcrafted goods, and clothing. Mixed in with people selling items, organizations will provide information, and performers will entertain the crowds until 6 p.m. Vehicle traffic will resume on the street later that evening after organizers clear the area. Still, people can stay in the neighborhood to visit the bars and restaurants along SE Stark and NE Glisan Streets. Last year, a record-breaking number of people from around the region visited Montavilla’s historic downtown to participate in the annual community party. Event organizers expect that it will increase again this year.

Main street view of Montavilla in Portland, featuring a banner for the Montavilla Street Fair with dates and times, shops with outdoor seating, and street signage. — *_{Montavilla Street Fair 2026 banner}*

A week before the event, sign installers placed the banner over SE Stark Street at 80th Avenue, announcing the Street Fair date to everyone passing by. Although many people in the area have already marked the date on their calendars, raising the banner represents Montavilla’s invitation to the city of Portland. Thousands of visitors attend this annual neighborhood event, driving record sales for local businesses and introducing people to the historic downtown Montavilla.

Promotional poster for the 13th Annual Montavilla Street Fair, featuring event details such as date, time, location, and a list of performers. Emphasizes music, art, food, and fun.

This year’s event is music-forward with four stages. HONK! PDX will offer a special all-acoustic stage experience. People can also enjoy performances at the SE 79th Avenue Plaza Stage next to the Threshold Brewing beer garden. The Main and Brewery stages will feature a diverse mix of larger acts throughout the day. Montavilla Brew Works, Threshold Brewing, and The Observatory will again feature beer gardens. Many past fair booth operators are returning, alongside a new crop of makers, food vendors, and organizations. As a bonus, the Montavilla Farmers Market will be open during its regular hours on the 26th, providing attendees with access to more booths and food options at SE 76th Avenue and Stark.

Sponsorship from Adventist Health Portland, Mr. Plywood, OnPoint Community Credit Union, and others helps fund what has become one of the largest street fairs in Portland. People can find day-of-event updates and the full music lineup, including performance times, at the METBA website (metba.org).

Crowd gathering at the Montavilla Street Fair, with colorful tents and vendors. A banner overhead announces the event, while a man balloons entertains children in the foreground. — *_{Montavilla Street Fair 2025}*

Parking in the neighborhood is always in short supply during the street fair. People are encouraged to take public transit to the event or explore other modes of travel. Portland transportation leaders organized a Community Ride/Bike Bus to the Montavilla Street Fair this year to reduce parking challenges in the area while providing a family-friendly ride along neighborhood greenways and new protected bike lanes near downtown Montavilla. Interested participants can gather starting at 10:30 a.m. near the Irving Park covered area for a relaxed 5.6-mile ride to the fair leaving at 11:00 a.m.

Article and photos by

Jacob Loeb

Promotion: Montavilla News will have a booth at the fair this year. We will give away stickers and sell year subscriptions that will come with a logoed hat or pin, while supplies last.

Community, Event, Food and Drink July 9, 2026July 9, 2026

Montavilla Brew Works 11 Year Celebration

On Saturday, July 11th, Montavilla Brew Works will host an eleven-year all-ages celebration event featuring special beer releases, food from Oi! The Sausage, and music provided by DJ MD. Melissa and Michael Kora opened Montavilla Brew Works at 7805 SE Stark Street on July 15th, 2015, and started using the annual celebration of that event to host a summertime gathering. Michael Kora saw this year’s event as a way to support Friends of Seasonal & Service Workers (FSSW) by donating a portion of the proceeds from the beer, with longtime neighbor Mr. Plywood matching the brewery’s contribution.

Promotional poster for Montavilla Brew Works' 11th anniversary party featuring colorful graphics, date, time, and event details.

Montavilla Brew Works grew from a home-brewer’s passion and a desire to create a neighborhood-scale enterprise. Before starting his brewery, Michael Kora secured work with Bridgeport Brewing Company after briefly working for the owner’s winery business. His time working as a seasonal employee influenced this year’s support of FSSW, which assists independent organizing efforts by farm, seasonal, and service workers with efforts including food drives and medical access. When Kora’s seasonal wine work ended, Dick Ponzi learned of Kora’s desire to work in the brewing industry and found a place for him in his other business where he could learn about operations. “I didn’t get to brew because I didn’t go to brew school. I was driving a truck, working in the warehouse, shipping, distributing, moving beer around, and learning brewing at home. I then nano brewed for a while at the Green Dragon,” recalled Kora. After growing his skills and experiencing the brewing business from the inside, it seemed time to branch out on his own. Sitting at McMenamins Edgefield, Michael and Melissa Kora sketched out a five-year business plan and agreed to start looking for a space to rent.

A man and a woman stand together smiling in an industrial space under construction, with concrete walls and wooden planks in the foreground. — *_{Melissa and Michael Kora touring the Daugherty Auto Service garage 2013 that became MBW. Photo courtesy Michael Kora}*

The couple moved into Montavilla several years before starting their business. After agreeing to start a brewery, they looked for commercial spaces in neighboring areas but could not find a suitable location that fit their vision for the taproom. However, with some luck and good timing, Michael Kora discovered the neglected former Daugherty Auto Service garage at the corner of SE 78th and Stark Street. “I was riding home from the gym and came by Stark Street just to kind of look at what was going on and there was a for sale or lease sign. This building was so dilapidated it was nothing to look at, but Melissa and I were from the Detroit area of Michigan. I’d seen worse, so [I thought] this building is pretty cool and would make a cool brewery,” said Michael Kora. William “Dave” Beets, the operator of the now-demolished Beets Auto Body, owned the property and was excited to see it go to new owners for such an unexpected use. “He was a character, but he was surprisingly stoked. He said, ‘I think this is awesome. You guys are gonna be the first. There’s no breweries around here like this. It’s gonna be good for the community and the neighborhood.’ He was a neighborhood guy even though he didn’t live here,” recalled Kora.

Interior view of a brewery featuring stainless steel fermenters and kegs stacked in the foreground, with large windows allowing natural light.

The Kora’s became tenants of the Stark Street building in 2013, but it would take over two years to open the doors to the public. The original owners of the 1922-era auto garage never designed it to house any other type of business, and it took substantial efforts to rehabilitate the building. Permits took four months to approve, and construction lasted another nine months. Kora discovered that the building roof slopes significantly to the northwest corner of the property for rainwater drainage, forcing him to place his tall brewing equipment at the south-facing front of the building, blocking windows and putting beer production centerstage. During construction, he added onto the north side of the building to create a walk-in cooler and storage room needed to keep finished beer and ingredients out of the limited customer-facing space.

Chalkboard menu featuring a variety of craft beers on tap, including options like Flam Tap IPA, Plywood Pilsner, and Academy Amber, displayed in Montavilla Brew Works.

Construction delays, the added brewery inspections, and unanticipated expenses drained their cash reserves. Michael Kora started beer production offsite to begin bringing in funds and building the brand. Flying Pie Pizzeria was an early supporter, buying the pre-opening batches and installing a permanent Montavilla Brew Works tap handle at the restaurant, replacing Bud Light. Initially, they relied on help from friends, but the couple mainly worked alone at Montavilla Brew Works for the first few years. “Melissa designed everything on the interior. So she made this place feel like it does. And I was the beer guy and eventually the business guy. It was her and I for the first four and a half years,” recalled Kora. After the early lean years, they brought in help to brew their beers and cover bar shifts. With the added staff, it was beginning to feel sustainable until the pandemic upended the business model. Montavilla Brew Works focused on serving draft beer onsite with little attention paid to the at-home market. They distributed a limited number of kegs to local businesses but had not embraced canning. COVID-19 bar closures forced a change in the whole microbrewery industry. “We completely 180’d, and we’re in this world where we were doing 100% draft, and then we switched to 100% cans. Melissa and I were out there every week delivering to people’s homes,” said Michael Kora. They had to let their employees go to keep the business going. The brewery survived that scary time and invested early in outdoor seating to bring people back as soon as possible.

Label design for Montavilla Brew Works' Anniversary Pilsner featuring a cartoon character named Mr. Plywood, surrounded by hops and wooden textures, with information about alcohol content and recycling instructions.

Post-COVID, Melissa and Michael Kora spend less time in the brewery during service hours. Both are more focused on improving operations and branding, with a goal to make each subsequent batch better than the last. For the celebration, they will release an Anniversary Pilsner which is a special dry-hopped version of Plywood Pilsner, a Montavilla Brew Works’ mainstay beer. Attendees of the 3 to 9 p.m. anniversary celebration can also purchase two additional special releases, Lesh Is More, an India Pale Ale honoring Grateful Dead bassist Phil Lesh, and the Peregrin porter aged with Palo Santo wood.

Jacob Loeb

Community, Event July 2, 2026July 1, 2026

Watching Fireworks With Personal Use Banned

Portland City Council permanently banned the sale and use of all consumer fireworks within city limits in March 2022. This restriction includes Independence Day celebrations, often occurring during hot and dry weather. The ban also prohibits the purchase of personal fireworks outside the City and returning to Portland to use them, so Portland Fire & Rescue (PP&R) encourages people to attend the professional July 4th fireworks displays presented throughout the region. Montavilla residents can usually view the 10 p.m. Waterfront Blues Festival display from Mt. Tabor Park uphill from Reservoir Number 5.

The consumer fireworks prohibition passed the 2022 Portland City Council unanimously, in part due to a fatal fireworks fire the previous year and in reaction to the Eagle Creek Fire in the gorge, which started with the use of personal fireworks. Fire departments regularly experience a spike in injuries, fires, and fatalities during the fireworks season, which begins on June 23rd and runs through July 6th. People with pets also report significant stress inflicted on their animals during this time, with some dogs and cats becoming separated from their owners when they run away from the explosive sounds.

Map showing Mt. Tabor Park with marked view spot for fireworks display, highlighting nearby streets and landmarks. — *_{Portland Maps image with MV News illustration}*

On June 15th, Portland’s Fire Marshal issued a burn ban for the City due to forecasted high summer temperatures and ongoing dry conditions. Effective immediately, people must refrain from using recreational campfires, fire pits, or burring yard debris. Outdoor grills, smokers, and similar cooking appliances are allowed if they use clean, dry firewood, briquettes, wood chips, pellets, propane, natural gas, or similar fuels. Residents should exercise extreme caution when using the allowed outdoor cooking devices and place them at least ten feet away from anything combustible, such as siding, fences, or shrubbery. The burn ban will remain in effect throughout the summer weather season.

A small firework emitting sparks and colors on a concrete surface, with discarded firework remnants nearby.

People can contact PF&R 503-823-3700 for additional information about the burn ban. Although the City prohibits the use of personal fireworks, emergency services request that people refrain from calling in reports of firework violations to 911 so that the dispatch system can remain open for reports of serious crimes, fires, and injuries. For non-emergencies reports of illegal fireworks displays, residents who witnessed the unauthorized use of fireworks can report the incident online (portland.gov/311/report-fireworks).

Article and photos by

Jacob Loeb

Promotion: Montavilla News is supported by contributions from businesses like Catalyst Construction & Kitchen Remodeling, a top-rated general contractor specializing in kitchen, bathroom, basement, and garage remodeling, as well as ADU construction and home additions. We thank them for their support.

Entertainment, Event, Food and Drink June 21, 2026June 21, 2026

White Lotus Summer Market at Fubonn

On June 6th, the White Lotus Summer Market began its four-weekend-long event featuring food, culture, and community behind the Fubonn Shopping Center at 2850 SE 82nd Avenue. Every Saturday and Sunday in June from 2 to 10 p.m., the over 40 vendors invite people to experience the outdoor market bringing together local vendors, cultural energy, and a community atmosphere.

A wooden sign reading 'Balong Panaderia' featuring a cartoon of a boy carrying bread. An adjacent black sign advertising the 'White Lotus Summer Market' with details about the event, including dates and market times.

Past occurrences of this summer event took place at the Shun Fat Supermarket, 5253 SE 82nd Avenue near Foster Road. The organizers designed the pop-up market to support Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI)-owned businesses and local entrepreneurs, providing a place for people to shop, eat, and connect. Entry to the market is free, with vendor assortments changing each weekend. People should review the market’s website to see the specific weekend guides. The 2026 White Lotus Summer Market season ends on June 28th.

A bustling outdoor market scene featuring food stalls under white and red tents, with vendors preparing and serving food. People are engaged in various activities, with some grilling, chatting, and serving customers.

People wanting direct access to the market can use Fubonn’s new, permanent, secondary entrance on SE 85th Avenue. The market removes some parking, but space remains around vendor stalls and in front of the complex adjacent to SE 82nd Avenue. Attendees are also encouraged to visit the year-round tenants of Fubonn Shopping Center who offer complimentary items and services. Time is running out to visit the White Lotus Summer Market, but residents will have another opportunity to shop at a market-style event on August 29th during the Jade International Night Market 2026, taking place at the nearby Portland Community College’s Southeast campus.

Two skewers of spiral-cut fried potatoes topped with sauces, placed on a brown paper wrapper on a table.

Grilled meat and sausages cooking on a barbecue grill, featuring various cuts of steak and several sausage links.

Article and photos by

Jacob Loeb

Promotion: Montavilla News is supported by contributions from businesses like Otter Wax, a neighborhood producer of small-batch specialty goods handcrafted in Portland. Using only natural ingredients, they make modern care products that are steeped in tradition. We thank them for their support.

Event, Transportation June 18, 2026June 18, 2026

Free Express Shuttle to Forest & Washington Park Pilot

Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) launched a pilot express shuttle service this summer to help people from all over the city reach Forest Park and Washington Park. Shuttle buses operate on a regular Friday and Saturday schedule with stops extending into neighborhoods within East, North, and Northeast Portland. Park officials hope this program will allow more people to connect with the vast park resources on the west side of the City.

A circular water feature with cascading edges, surrounded by lush greenery and a stone building in the background. — *_{Washington Park reflecting pool 3}*

The Forest Park and Washington Park Express Shuttle began service on June 12th and will operate until the end of the pilot program on August 22nd. Regional private transportation provider EcoShuttle is operating buses for the program, making regular stops between select neighborhoods and the two popular city parks. The free buses provide access to the unique park resources of Forest Park and Washington Park, as well as planned activities. Shuttle schedules to the parks and back to boarding points vary, and interested riders should consult the program’s website before making plans. Additionally, pets are not allowed on the shuttle, but service animals are allowed to accompany their people.

Montavilla and East Portland residents can access the shuttle at the Gateway Transit Center on NE 99th Avenue or the entrance to Floyd Light Middle School at 826 SE 108th Avenue. Riders can find a timetable on a sign near the stop by looking for the Express Shuttle logo. Restrooms and other facilities at the adjacent community center are available to people waiting for the shuttle during center operating hours. The park terminus is located at the traffic circle at the Lower Macleay Trailhead, which features picnic tables, a covered picnic pavilion, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-accessible restrooms, and a short, paved, ADA-accessible trail.

Within the parks, a connecting shuttle takes riders to Washington Park, Oregon Zoo (Stop A), Pittock Mansion (Stop B), Upper Macleay Trailhead (Stop C), Lower Macleay Trailhead (Stop D), and Leif Erikson Drive Trailhead at Germantown Road (Stop E). PP&R collaborated with community partners who offer programming that includes guided hikes, events, and activities in Forest and Washington Parks.

TriMet transit options remain a good way to access Forest Park and Washington Park. However, this express shuttle eliminates travel costs and speeds up the journey across the city. Organizers hope this program will help people enjoy Portland’s largest parks during these warm summer days, when people are looking to get outdoors. Interested residents have until August 22nd to take advantage of this free express shuttle service.

Article and photos by

Jacob Loeb

Community, Entertainment, Event, History May 25, 2026May 25, 2026

Archaeology Roadshow Returns to East Portland on May 30

In 2025, after a 12-year run downtown, the annual Archaeology Roadshow moved its educational and interactive showcase across the river to East Portland. For the second year, the organizers are taking over the grassy field at Gateway Discovery Park, 10520 NE Halsey Street, this May 30th with a theme of “Fire & Water.” Historians, members of universities, Tribes, government agencies, museums, and nonprofit cultural organizations will present over 30 exhibits at this free event from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., sharing presentations and answering questions from inquisitive attendees. People can drop in anytime during the four-hour un-ticketed event. However, some presentations occur at specific times, including an opening “welcome blessing.”

This year’s Portland show features exhibits and hands-on activities demonstrating how fire and water are “fundamental to the human story for all times and places.” It features exhibits that showcase how the region’s Indigenous people engineered effective waterproofing technologies using materials crafted from the environment. People can practice using friction from a bow drill to build a fire, make stone tools, or throw a replica of an ancient spear. Attendees will also learn how ancient Ice Age floods shaped Portland landscapes in ways modern residents can still observe. Exhibitors will explain how Indigenous people and recent settlers managed water and fire to thrive in the watery and fire-prone Pacific Northwest region and expressed a deep connection to water and fire through arts and crafts.

A group of people engaging at an Archaeology Roadshow booth, examining ancient fishing tools and displays about net weight technology, with a banner in the background. — *_{Student exhibitors Phil Daily and Dianna Wilson 2017, courtesy Archaeology Roadshow (Photo Corey James)}*

Virginia Butler, with the Archaeology Roadshow, explained that the event’s name is a homage to the PBS series Antiques Roadshow, which invites people to bring items for expert evaluation. Students working on the inaugural Portland event wanted people to make the connection to the TV show because the Archaeology Roadshow similarly allows attendees to bring up to three objects for expert examination, with the experts attempting to determine the objects’ ages and possible functions. Unlike the TV show, volunteers at this event do not offer appraisals; they help people connect to the history contained in those objects. Presentations cover the full span of human existence in the region, and organizers try not to set date limits on what constitutes archaeology. “Science can tell us people have probably been in this area for over 15,000 years. But the Indigenous perspective suggests you can’t really put a time on it because some of their origin stories say they’ve been here forever,” said Butler.

The Archaeology Roadshow embraces all phases of human settlement in the region and aims to offer visitors an experience that entertains and informs them about that shared history through activities and face-to-face engagement. The Archaeology Roadshow began in 2012 at Portland State University, driven by the university’s desire to expose students to public outreach practices through a campus event. The yearly event expanded beyond Portland in 2017, when the roadshow opened in Harney County, with shows in Burns and Hines featuring regional exhibitors and historical societies. Post-pandemic, they have continued to expand into places like the Dalles and Bend.

A man in a green shirt holds a pamphlet while explaining something to an elderly woman with short gray hair, who is listening attentively. They are in a park setting with a small model of trees on a table. — *_{Exhibitor with visitor 2025, courtesy Archaeology Roadshow (Photo Lucy Behrens)}*

Butler noted that the Archaeology Roadshow is more than an informative event. It is a valuable tool in connecting organizations and municipalities to understand the importance of historical preservation as communities grow. “This kind of work is really about relationships. The Archaeology Roadshow builds relationships at different levels between the organizations doing this work. Every time you start digging in the ground, you might open up and identify some archaeology. There’s a lot of effort to ensure that we don’t lose historical knowledge as we go forth with development.” The organizing group wants to convey the ethics and legal aspects of artifact collecting in context, its importance to people, and its significance beyond regulation. “We want to emphasize that when you simply dig into what may seem to be an archaeological site and remove objects, you’re losing the context. We lose our ability to understand the broader meanings of what those artifacts mean relative to each other. We’re also harming descendant communities that might have special connections to those places. So we convey some of the ethics and the legal aspects of collecting,” said Butler.

Two children working together on a woodworking project on the ground, using tools to shape a piece of wood. — *_{Two children starting a fire 2016, courtesy Archaeology Roadshow (Photo Kendal McDonald)}*

Overall, the roadshow project aims to expand people’s understanding of archaeology, a field often shaped by movies and school field trips. “I think most people think that archaeology is exciting; there’s an adventure and an explorer level to it. The Indiana Jones image is about finding things, and a lot of people think archaeology is a treasure hunt. I hope people come and realize it’s so much more than that. Archaeology is everywhere. History is happening everywhere. We are so much richer if we understand it, and we feel much more connected to a place if we understand its history,” said Butler. “People will walk in with one concept of archaeology, and then it’s going to get a lot bigger because of the cultural connections.”

Event organizers hope the Archaeology Roadshow’s move to East Portland has opened the event to more organizations and residents who do not always have the opportunity to engage with history in a hands-on, dynamic environment. Within the exhibits, guests will find people demonstrating skills, with the option to participate. Anyone interested in history will also find booths filled with people offering a museum’s worth of information, including Montavilla News contributor Patricia Sanders, who will join Paul Leistner from Mt. Tabor in sharing neighborhood history. Gateway Discovery Park is a fully accessible facility, and event staff will have translators available for Spanish speakers throughout the event so more people can participate in this community-enriching experience. The annual event is free and open to the public thanks to sponsorship support.

Jacob Loeb

Title image: Chinook Tribal members give opening drum song at the 2025 Portland Archaeology Roadshow with Portland City Council President Jamie Dunphy for District 1, left (Lucy Behrens)

Community, Entertainment, Event May 3, 2026May 2, 2026

The 2026 82nd Avenue of Roses Parade Images

On April 25th, marchers held the 20th annual 82nd Avenue of Roses Parade from Eastport Plaza Shopping Center to SE Clinton Street. Former U.S. Representative for Oregon’s 3rd congressional district, Earl Blumenauer, and Nancy Chapin were the 2026 Grand Marshals. The procession featured community groups, businesses, elected officials, dancing horses, youth performers, and the diverse cultural flavors that fill 82nd Avenue and East Portland.

A convertible car with two people waving, one seated in the back and another in the front passenger seat. The car is part of a parade, with a sign displaying names on its side. In the background, spectators are watching the event. — *_{Grand Marshals Earl Blumenauer and Nancy Chapin}*

The parade drew significant crowds along its one-mile route, closing the busy roadway for a few hours on Saturday morning. Sunny skies warmed the morning air, but temperatures remained moderate for the marchers and fans lining the street. Organizers say it has never rained on the parade in its two-decade run.

With the 2026 parade completed, the 82 Roses Community Enrichment Coalition members will begin work on next year’s event, which they expect will continue to grow for another 20 years and feature more participants and enhanced production elements.

82nd Avenue is one of the most important city streets. I’m excited for the activity here to reconfigure it, to make it safer, to make it more efficient, and to help revitalize this important street, this is the number one transit street in the entire city. And the work that’s being done here is going to transform 82nd. It used to be kind of the dividing line. I think 82nd Avenue is going to bring the city together. I’m really excited about what’s happening here. This parade is an expression of that. – Earl Blumenauer

Article and photos by

Jacob Loeb

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