Mark your calendars now for Tuesday, August 5th for the annual Beaumont Wilshire Neighborhood Association’s National Night Out. As always, this picnic will replace the BWNA General meeting for the month of August. The grills will be heated up and ready to go at 6:30 pm in Wilshire Park picnic areas A&B located southwest of the pavilion.
This event is a great way to enjoy tasty grilled burgers (incl. vegan choices) and dogs with all the trimmings & condiments as supplied by BWNA. While local businesses help us by contributing drinks and a few other goodies, each participating individual, couple or family is asked to bring a dish to add to the community food tables—snacks, sides, salads and desserts are all welcomed to the feast. Typically approximately 250 folks show up, so getting everyone to contribute a dish is really needed to sate all the appetites!
The BWNA Board is working on providing music and entertainment, as well as kids’ activities—and don’t forget the free raffle! And once again, local businesses will contribute great gifts and certificates that only add to the evening’s festive mood.
We should remember this is a national event to celebrate the efforts of police and firefighters to provide us with secure neighborhoods, as well as to recognize that active and connected neighbors are a key and primary deterrent to criminal activities. As their schedules allow, we try to get canine officers and fire equipment to visit and add to the enjoyment of the evening.
It will be a great night out for all, don’t miss it!
1st Saturday in August: Beaumont Business Association’s Fremont Fest
by Katie Wilgus
The biggest community party of the year takes place on Fremont Street from 10 am to 6 pm on Saturday, August 2nd, featuring something for everyone and attracting thousands to our neighborhood. Admission is free. Fremont Street will be closed to traffic all day between NE 42nd and 50th, creating a safe, fun-filled pedestrian mall with four stages for live music, street vendors, food, a pub crawl, entertainment, and attractions for children and adults.
The gala street fair opens with the lively Kid’s Bike & Pet Parade at 10 am led by a marching band, vintage cars, and a Portland fire truck with siren and lights. Children should gather for the parade at the parking lot of Beaumont Middle School, N.E. 42nd & Fremont, starting at 9:30 am.
“This year we have put a huge effort into recruiting excellent street vendors, with an emphasis on locally made products,” said Nicole Whitesell, President of the Beaumont Business Association, which organizes and implements the event. “As always, we will have a great lineup of children’s activities.”
Fremont Fest is one of three major events held each year by the Beaumont Business Association (BBA). Contact: Nicole Whitesell, BBA President, info@businessonfremont.com. For Fremont Fest information, schedule & map: www.businessonfremont.com.