Festivals

For the African-American community the calendar year begins with the end of Kwanzaa, the African harvest festival held from December 26 to January 1. This festival, which originated in 1966 in California, is now celebrated nationwide. Our celebration includes the Gentlemen’s Ball (503.306.2960) and events at the North Portland Branch Library.

Two weeks later, the life of Martin Luther King Jr. is commemorated. On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the third Monday of January, a six-hour celebration with at least 500 participants is held at Jefferson High School. Musicians, dancers, gospel choirs, actors and speakers join their voices in joyous confirmation of
Dr. King’s dream.

February is Black History Month with events that include performances and exhibits at the Interstate Firehouse Cultural Center and a performance by the Northwest Afrikan American Ballet.

“Juneteenth” is celebrated with a grand parade and a picnic in Alberta Park on the Saturday closest to June 19th. This uniquely African-American holiday commemorates June 19, 1865, when slaves in Texas received word that Lincoln had abolished slavery. In Portland, observation of the holiday was begun in the shipyards in 1944 by Clara Peoples. On the last weekend in June, the grounds of the Holy Redeemer School (127 N. Portland Blvd., 503.283.5197) come alive with the Good in the Hood celebration. This three-day festival of multicultural music, foods, games and arts showcases the rich culture of North and Northeast Portland.

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