Art demonstrations, music, kids activities also highlight of May 15-17 Boise-Eliot Multi-Cultural Fair and Mississippi Avenue Street Fair
Portland-based Mr. Oink’s has won best-ribs contests in Pennsylvania and Ohio, and barbecued for thousands of people at events in South Dakota, Chicago and Kansas City. But company owner John Barnes is looking forward to an event right here in Boise on May 17, when he will defend his "Best Ribs" title at the second annual Mississippi Avenue Street Fair.
"I plan on being there," says Barnes, who once owned a BBQ shop in NE Portland and has been catering events and competiting in rib contests for the past 12 years.
Barnes was impressed by the turnout at last year’s inaugural street fair, when he sold about 350 orders of ribs. "It was fun. I enjoyed the people, the crowd. All the competitors knew each other, so we had the usual ribbing about who was going to win," says Barnes.
Leonard Smith, who has been grilling ribs on Mississippi Avenue as the proprieter of Grandfather’s for eight years, couldn’t recall a better day on the Avenue since arriving in1985. He commandeered a microphone and sound system to heckle his competitors and contribute to a rollicking, family picnic-like atmosphere. "These are all my friends," says Smith. "I had more fun during last year’s competition than I’d had in a long time. I’m excited for this year."
The 2 p.m. rib-off figures to be one of the highlights of the second annual Boise-Eliot Multi-Cultural Fair & Mississippi Avenue Street Fair, to be held May 15–17, 2003.
More than 4,000 people attended last year's fair, a three-day festival featuring food, music, arts, games and other family-friendly events that celebrate the neighborhood's diversity and the businesses and organizations along Mississippi Avenue from Fremont to Skidmore. In addition to the best-ribs contest, a community talent show, performance stages, tricycle race and hands-on artist demonstrations for kids highlight this collaboration of Boise-Eliot Elementary School, neighbors and businesses.
Last year's inaugural fair proved to be a major source of pride for Boise. Many longtime residents noted they had never seen so many people gathered on our main commercial street for a community celebration.
This year’s fair will again showcase the Boise community and promises to be even more festive. Here’s the schedule:
Thursday, May 15
6-8 p.m. Boise-Eliot Multi-Cultural Fair (Boise-Eliot Elementary School, 620 N Fremont)
This event, a longstanding tradition at the school, features food, hands-on artists demonstrations, community organization displays, and student performances and projects representing a multitude of world cultures.
Friday, May 16
7-9 p.m. Community Talent Show at Mississippi Rising Ballroom, 833 N Shaver
9-10 p.m. Outdoor movies. Short films by local filmmakers will be screened in the vacant lot north of Fresh Pot, NW corner of Shaver and Mississippi. (Rain location: Mississippi Rising Ballroom)
Saturday, May 17
10 a.m.-7 p.m. Mississippi Avenue Street Fair (between N Fremont and N Skidmore)
A five-block stretch of the historic commercial main street will be closed to vehicular traffic to make way for the street fair. In addition to the best-ribs contest, the events include a community garage sale, arts & crafts market, nonprofit displays, food vendors, two stages featuring a diverse roster of musical and artistic performances, all-ages bingo, treasure hunt, and plenty of children’s activities. Businesses and eateries along Mississippi will be open and will host a variety of special activities.
The fair is being organized by a steering committee of local residents and businesspeople, and with the help of contributions from the following major partners: Albina Community Bank, Fred Meyer, Interstate Special Events, KBOO, Northwest Natural, and the Portland Tribune.
For questions about the fair, or a complete list of all activities, contact Bridget Bayer, N/NE Business District Events Coordinator, at 503-998-5121.