Got your thesaurus handy? Look up “Sellwood”, and you’ll see the first synonym they list is “summer”… Sellwood MEANS summer! Our neighborhood goes all-out with concerts, sales, festivals, and markets, so we want to tell you about some of the biggest Sellwood Summer events for 2019. There’s some new events on the calendar and some important changes to some old favorites, so put on the tanning lotion and start marking your calendar NOW… from the Summer Concerts to Summerville to the Portland Picnic and more, you won’t want to miss any of these happenings!
Sellwood Summer Concerts– July 8, 15, 22, 29 (Mondays in July)
For an amazing 110 years Portland Parks and Recreation has put on free concerts in parks across the city, and the July concerts in Sellwood Park have consistently been some of the 
biggest and best-attended. There’s a BIG CHANGE FOR THIS YEAR’S SHOWS… say goodbye to picnics in dog poop, because they’re MOVING from Sellwood Riverfront Park dog park up the hill to Sellwood Park, at the corner of SE 7th and Sellwood Blvd, right by Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge. All the food, drink, and excitement you’re used to will still be there (including Tom Dwyer Automotive and our Magic Buttonizer) but in a shadier, nicer setting. Oh, who’s playing? We can tell you that…
- July 8- Moody Little Sister– New folk of the American West
- July 15- Rae Gordon– Female-fronted blues & soul
- July 22- Grupo Masato– High energy tropical/Andean Chicha
- July 29- Miller & Sasser– Upbeat originals & country classics
We’ve been proud sponsors of the Sellwood Concerts for more than 10 years and it’s something we look forward to year round. If you haven’t made it to one of the shows, stop cheating yourself… make it a point to join us this year!
Portland Picnic– July 13
This is only the 3rd year for the Portland Picnic but this day-long wine tasting festival is already making a splash. It’s a family-friendly event with something for everyone including food, beer, live music, and activities for the kids like drawing and face painting. Look for it in the south end of Westmoreland Park, down toward the baseball fields.
Summerville– August 3
In Summerville, the businesses of Sellwood and Westmoreland entertain all ages with games, crafts, music, classes, art, demonstrations, food, drink, and one-of-a-kind sales. A free double-decker trolley will let you explore every nook and cranny at your leisure. Some businesses (like Tom Dwyer) are a little off the beaten path, so we’ll be getting together at the SMILE Station on SE 13th and Tenino for our own little party… see you there!
Sundae in the Park– August 4
Sundae in the Park, an annual fundraiser for Meals on Wheels, is held in Sellwood Park on the first Sunday in August — the most unfailingly sunny weekend of the year, according to Oregon weather statistics! This fun event is sponsored by the Sellwood-Moreland Improvement League (SMILE) and features inexpensive ice cream sundaes and hot dogs, old-fashioned live entertainment, and displays featuring historic topics related to the neighborhood. There are plenty of fun activities for both children and adults. You won’t want to miss this one!
Sellwood Pool– June 18-August 25
Nothing says summer like a pool, and Sellwood’s pool turns 110 years old this year! According to an Oregonian article on the pool’s 100th anniversary, “It replaced the Jefferson Street natatorium, a 6-foot-deep wooden tub that floated in the Willamette River until the city’s exploding population polluted the waterway.” Also, “Men and women bathed on alternate days, shielded from public view by a 10-foot fence.” Today, the Sellwood Pool is open to all M-F from 1-330p and 730-850p, and Sat and Sun from 1-5p.
Moreland Farmers Market– May 8-October 9
One of the best Farmers’ Markets in the City happens in Sellwood at the corner of SE 13th and Bybee across from Wilhelm’s Funeral Home. Every WEDNESDAY, May 8 thru October 9, 2p-7p.
