When a friend visits Portland for the first time there are a few things that immediately come to mind to show him/her a true Bridgetown experience. Lunch at one of the many gourmet foods carts (specifically Viking Soul Food's lefse), a visit to one of the many craft breweries in town (Amnesia is a favorite - they have such an amazing patio) and a trip up to Forest Park to explore the arboretum, smell the roses in the Rose Test Garden and absorb the beauty and stillness of the Japanese Gardens. But really, the event that really shows off Portland in all of her weird, awesome and wild glory is Last Thursday on Alberta.
What began in 1997 as a low-key art walk on Alberta has exploded into a rocking street party every last Thursday of the month. Vendors set up along the sidewalks in every space possible, food carts park and street performers arrive on stilts, unicycles and in fantastical costumes. During the warm, summer months city officials estimate that over 10,000 people come out to walk Alberta and celebrate the essence of Portland.
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| Photo Thanks to BikePortland.org |
The Last Thursday in October is always quite the celebration as it is usually the last Last Thursday of the year due to decreasing daylight and winter weather patterns. While there are always people in various levels of "costume" at every Last Thursday, the thursday before Halloween tends to entice people to done their Halloween garb a few days early. You can expect to see hula hoopers, fire dancers, stilt walkers, live musicians, djs, live painters, poetry readings, portraits and anything else reminiscent of a 3 ring circus!
The battle to keep Last Thursday a free, yet safe and community sponsored event is currently being waged. Recently my friends at Neighborhood Notes wrote up an extremely thorough and insightful article about the politics behind keeping this local treasure alive. With 10,000 people comes a lot of trash, noise and disruption in the blocks surrounding the event and not all neighbors are supportive. The city also has its hesitations about the event as they have been footing the bill for extra officers to manage barricades (to block the street from 6pm-10pm), illegally parked cars and drunken attendees. A committee is in place now FoLT (Friends of Last Thursday) to help make the event happen with less involvement from the city and give more voice to the community.
Take a trip to Alberta tomorrow anytime after 4pm. Most vendors are set up by 4pm and the crowds tend to show up around 7pm. Come in costume or in your street clothes, come ready to dance or just observe and watch all the festivities. Whatever you do, come with an open mind and heart!
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