This weekend, be sure to attend the grand opening celebration at Portland Saturday Market. The market has moved to its new digs in Waterfront Park and Ankeny Plaza and you'll also be able to take a gander at the newly dedicated Bill Naito Legacy Fountain.
The good folks at the market have planned a fun-filled festival for neighbors:
The two-day celebration will include numerous activities, daily give-a-ways, artist demonstrations, as well as all the Market's talented artisans selling their original handcrafted wares, an international Food Court along with a Main Stage chock full of cultural groups representing the countries named in the poem etched in the fountain. Enjoy a variety of performances starting at 11 a.m. by acclaimed artists, including:
- Bridgetown Morris Dancers
- The Nordic Dance Troupe, Leikarringen of Portland
- Ballet Papalot
- Portland French TroubadourEric John Kaiser
- Molly Malone Dancers
If you have kidlets or grandkidlets, it's likely you've already felt the tug of small hands and been asked, "can we go play in the new fountain... now?!"
After attending yesterday's dedication ceremony—attended by bus loads of wide-eyed, wiggly children—I can attest that this fountain already has the kid-seal of approval. It's not just another fountain, it could be THE fountain of choice.
The most surprising thing about the new fountain is that it is actually two fountains. The first fountain is craftily housed underneath the glass awning where Saturday Market vendors set up shop on a platform. When the vendors pack up and leave, that's when the real action happens—that's what the kids say, anyways. This whole area is a series of water jets, like maybe 30ish of them, that shoot as high as 8-9 feet in the air. Sometimes in a wave pattern and other times at random.
To the south of the platform is the second fountain, which is part of a curved ampitheater. Here, there is water, water everywhere, but it involves a sequence of water play. First, arcs of water shoot out from the base of the ampitheater. Next, water jets positioned near the ampitheater shoot high up into the air and then the pool fills with water. Or something like that. Rinse and repeat.
We hear that a grassy area is planned behind the ampitheater, which makes this place a lock for family outings, sun-seekers and lunch-time picnics.
A large crowd gathered for the ceremony
Portland Taiko Drummers
A blessing by the Native American Confedereted Tribes
Chinese Lion Dancers
the first spurt from the fountain was met with this unusual welcome from a fireboat
Let the fun begin!
Bill Naito Fountain Dedication Ceremony from Neighborhood Notes on Vimeo.
View the slide show for more images from the Bill Naito Fountain Dedication Ceremony or visit our Flickr gallery:
Wow! On behalf of all of us couch potatoes--enjoyed the mesmerizing drummers and the lion show. Thanks for bringing that to my living room. Good job Ken!
Roxanne