Explore Portland’s Summer Festivals
We are taking a break from our regularly scheduled programming to emphasize how much fun Portland can be in the summer. Whether you’re buying or selling a home here, don’t forget to check out some of the events that make this city so much fun. Use this handy real estate agent’s guide to get out and into the neighborhoods while you’re out there!
Oregon Brewers Festival, aka Brewfest
Did you know that Oregonians consumed 650,500 barrels of beer produced in Oregon in 2015? If you’re planning on relocating to Portland, you’d better start learning the difference between a pale ale, an amber ale, and an IPA. Luckily, the 29th Annual Oregon Brewers Festival is here to help you out over the last weekend in July this summer.
What’s better than sipping great beer? Sipping great beer at the picturesque Waterfront Park along the Willamette River, where you can watch sailboats, catch a glimpse of Mt. Hood, and enjoy the Portland skyline. Once you’ve tried a few of the 80 craft beers on tap, wander westward into the charming old neighborhoods of Corbet, Terwilliger and Lair Hill, with their quiet, historic streets. Or, take the path north to the chic new South Waterfront district and go condo-shopping!
Mississippi Street Fair
Up in North Portland, Mississippi Avenue is known as a hip shopping district any time of year. Their summer Street Fair takes the experience up a notch with more than 200 local vendors lining the sidewalks. The best part is, it’s free! The Mississippi Street Fair takes place on July 9th. Wander up and down the street to collect swag and samples, or stick around one of five stages for live music. Tango Alpha Tango is headlining this year, along with Ural Thomas & The Pain. There’s also a kid’s stage and dunk tank!
Okay, sick of the crowds yet? Once again, Portland offers a quick getaway into peaceful and beautiful neighborhood streets. Take a short walk and you’ll see why the nearby Boise and Humbolt neighborhoods are among the most popular in Portland. Be sure to check out the historic North Portland library building!
The 19th Annual Alberta Street Fair will be held on August 13 and is not to be missed! It’s probably the most popular of Portland’s summer street festivals, with an average attendance of 25,000 men, women and ecstatic children.
What’s so special about Alberta? Start with the historic nature of the street, which travels through the Vernon, Concordia and King Neighborhoods of North Portland. The Street Fair is held primarily in the Alberta Arts District. You’ll know you’re there when you start seeing earth tones and motifs that reflect the distinct culture of the area’s Latino, Asian and African-American communities. If you like to live in a highly engaged, volunteer-driven neighborhood, Alberta Street is the center of some of Portland’s best.
Can’t make it to the Street Fair? Be sure to check out the last Thursday art walk held every month.
To many real estate shoppers, the Pearl District is synonymous with downtown Portland, but in fact up until about 35 years ago, the Pearl was an industrial area just north of downtown. When the area was rezoned, artists took over the warehouses, and what we have today is a fine arts district that lives up to its name as the pearl of the city!
Art in The Pearl is in its 20th year here, occurring every Labor Day Weekend (September 3-5 this year). Not only is it free, it’s also one of the top ten Arts and Crafts Festivals in the country, and it’s no boring gallery stroll! There’s live theater, music, and interactive activities with the artists that work and live in the Pearl.
Speaking of living, this is condo haven, and you can’t beat the location. Demand is high, but a good real estate agent can find you a lovely spot where art and downtown Portland are only steps away!
Indie music runs in Portland’s very bloodstream, and a great way to get introduced is by attending this free festival July 22nd – 24th. PDX Pop Now! is a non-profit group “dedicated to stimulating and expanding participation in Portland music,” according to their website. Their mission is to get local bands out to local ears, and the festival serves that purpose by rocking a designated location for two solid days! This year the event is in the Hawthorne District. It’s worth checking out the surrounding Sunnyside and Belmont neighborhoods for their an eclectic mix of homes and locally owned shops that has been compared to San Franciscos’s Haight Ashbury District.
Your Neighborhood
Don’t like the sounds of any of these festivals? Host your own! The City of Portland’s guide covers everything from getting the proper permits to delegating responsibilities to your neighbors. In fact, they actually encourage us to host block parties to improve neighborhood cohesiveness and safety, and on the second Tuesday in August (National Night Out), noise permits are free!
Block parties are a great way to get your neighbors out of the woodwork and celebrate, whether you’re new to your Portland home or want to go out in style. Before you set up a stage in your cul-de-sac and inflate the bouncy house, be sure to talk to your neighbors. Oh, and don’t forget to invite your real estate agent!
Portland has hosted hundreds of street fairs and festivals through the years, and will continue to draw the adoring crowds this summer. Whether you’re visiting, new to the area, or looking for some distraction as you sell your Portland home, there’s a party waiting for you!
