On the last Thursday of every month, in the up-and-coming Alberta district, there is a craft fair unlike any craft fair…
It is completely free for vendors and there are very few rules; you just show up, set up, and peddle your wares. It all just kind of started as a few people selling some items, and has grown into this fantastic event.
The unofficial nature and complete openness spawns a crowd which more resembles a circus than that of a craft fair. Since it is free to sell your goods, it draws the full gamut of artists and craftsmen from the creative “starving artist”, to the well-established vendors, to kids selling some “refrigerator-art”. The weird crowd pulls in unique entertainment: bands (of all varieties) on every corner, a trapeze artist, fire juggling acts, dancers, clowns… you name it.
So, if you need a $200 wooden bowl for the mantel, that perfect piece of erotic art for the baby’s room, or just want to dine on some unregulated street food and people-watch….this is the place to do it!
An acquaintance told us that they attempted to shut down a kids lemonade stand a few weeks ago, and the people all but rioted on principle, and at the following event, lemonade stands were uber popular! So….Keep Portland Weird [and don’t mess with the Laissez-(street)-faire mentality]!
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