Portland Parks Foundation’s Paseo Festival

Paseo logo courtesy of Portland Parks Foundation

Portland Parks Foundation has created a first-of-its-kind summer festival in downtown Portland. Paseo is a free community event featuring creative artists and family-friendly activities. 

In its second year, the festival is inspired by the Spanish evening stroll that reawakens the city. Paseo celebrates three weekends of science, music, art and social justice.

Here’s what you can expect at this summer festival. 

2022 Paseo Festival

Paseo is taking place on Sundays in July at Shemanski Park in downtown Portland. 

This year, each day of the event has a specific theme. Here is the lineup of family-friendly activities and performances by day: 

Sunday, July 16, 3-6 p.m.

Creative Revolution: Art, Activism & Music in Nature

• Outdoor pop-up school promoting science, music, art and social justice.
• Tunes by Portland’s youngest professional DJ, Jaysii.
• Play and learn with live insects and other educational activities at the Portland Insectarium.
• Ethos Music Center offers free interactive music technology lessons with midi controllers, keyboards, laptops, mics and acoustic instruments.
• Social justice nonprofit Don’t Shoot Portland hosts hands-on art making workshop with community muralists and artists to raise awareness for local activism initiatives.
• Synth Library Portland has vintage analog synthesizers to provide participatory sound experiences for the entire family.

Sunday, July 23, 3-6 p.m.

Green Grooves: A Park Jazz Experiment

• Collaboration between Portland’s all-Black and all-jazz radio stations, The Numberz and KHMD. DJ Baby Boomer fills the park with the sounds of Jazz music curated by a collection of enthusiasts from both stations.
• Wine tasting featuring Bow & Arrow Wines and both sweet and savory food options available.
• Ethos Music Center and the NE STEAM Coalition provides interactive and educational opportunities for youth.
• Aux Mute Gallery releases a new, limited series of art prints.

Sunday July 30, 3-6 p.m.

Land Back: Honoring an Indigenous Movement

Amanda Stubits (Choctaw) hosts Indigenous programming, including:

• Multimedia artist AC Ramirez de Arellano (Taino).
• 1876 Band (Powwow Punk).
• Native American flute player Sherrie Davis (Cherokee).
• Stick games with Fabian Quenelle (Klamath, Modoc and Grand Ronde).
• Hip hop artist Kunu Bearchum (Northern Cheyenne and Ho-Chunk).
• Aurloyn Stwyer’s traditional beadwork (Warm Springs).
• Andrea Robideau’s kids crafts (Sisseton-Wahpeton Dakota; White Earth Anishinaabe and Lipan Apache).
• Community support from organizations include PiNee Waus Elders group, Native Arts and Culture Foundation, Native Wellness Institute, Future Generations Collaborative and NAYA.

Outside food is allowed. There’s also food vendors set up throughout the event site. Free water, snacks and a meal voucher are available for anyone who needs it at the information booth. 

The festival is held at Shemanski Park, 1010 SW Park Ave. in downtown Portland.

Paseo Festival is free to attend. For more information, visit Paseo’s website.

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