75 diverse, cultural vendors to set up shop
Acosia Red Elk, a local Native Jingle dancer will perform this weekend when the pop-up marketplace My People’s Market, a gathering of Portland’s diverse and vibrant entrepreneurs, artists and community members, comes to the North Park Blocks, downtown. Elk uses her body in performance to illuminate an act of resistance towards discriminatory laws that once aimed to outlaw Native dance and spiritualities.
My People’s Market is coming back in person this weekend, a welcoming marketplace and gathering of Portland’s diverse and vibrant entrepreneurs, artists and community members.
Featuring more than 75 Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) vendors each day, cultural performances, musicians, food, and beverages, the three-day event, sponsored by New Seasons and the Portland State University School of Business, takes place Friday-Sunday, Aug. 6-8 between Northwest Davis and Flanders in the North Park Blocks.
Attendees are invited to explore culinary offerings from across the globe including Spice of Africa, Meals 4 Heels, Eleni’s Kitchen Ethiopian Food, Everybody Eats, We Grub, Lo’s Burgers & Friends, Kaah Market, Hapa Pizza, and Favela Brazilian Cafe, among others.
Custom drinks crafted by market vendors will help keep you cool. Other attractions include relaxing wellness activation featuring a sound bath and shoulder massage. Everyone also can delight and dance along with interactive performances, musicians, and artists curated by Y.G.B. Portland.
“We’re excited to welcome our community back for a culturally immersive shopping experience that only My People’s Market can provide,” said Amanda Park, a project manager for Prosper Portland, a presenting organization for the market along with Travel Portland.
This year’s My People’s Market theme is “In It Together,” a celebration and honoring of all that was lost and all that was born during the coronavirus pandemic. BIPOC businesses were among those hardest hit during the pandemic.
The spirit of the market is to celebrate community, culture, and business while reimagining ways to support local multicultural entrepreneurs with broader exposure to grow and support their businesses.
For more information and a full vendor list, visit mypeoplesmarket.com.