Rockwood International Marketplace
What:
A colorful, thriving marketplace is a central component to cities in many cultures around the world, and this spring, a new international marketplace will be launched in Gresham's diverse Rockwood neighborhood. Artisan booths will be combined with ethnic fooods, entertainment and children's activities to create the new Rockwood International Marketplace. To date, more than 140 local vendors have expressed interest in participating. The Marketplace will serve as a catalyst to bring together people from many cultures in a festive environment ,and the project will strengthen the community by creating new business opportunties, that revitalize this area.
Who:
The Rockwood International Marketplace will feature local craftspeople (artisans and food vendors) from a wide variety of countries. The Marketplace is sponsored by the East County One Stop Career System (ECOS), which represents an alliance of 35 organizations working together to support a cohesive workforce and community development system for our community. More than 40 organizations have been involved with project development.. Other primary partners include: The Verizon Foundation, Mercy Corps, the City of Gresham, Gresham Sister City Associations, East Metro Arts and Culture Council, MHCC, the Gresham Farmer's Market, the Hispanic Metro Chamber of Commerce, Multnomah County, Regional Investment Board, and the Oregon Community and Economic Development Department.
When:
Select weekends from spring through fall, 2004 have been chosen for the first annual Rockwood International Marketplace - each weekend is timed to coincide with other seasonal events:
May 22-23 - Rock Soup weekend
June 19-20 - Juneteenth and Summer Solstice
July 17-18 - Sister City Celebrations: a four-city event
August 21-22 - Cultural Celebration and Native American Art
September 18-19 - Mexican Independence Day
Where:
The Rockwood International Marketplace will be located on the grounds of Kaiser Permanente's Rockwood facility, which is located at 19500 SE Stark in Gresham. Take MAX to the Marketplace!
Why:
While this project will serve the entire Portland Metro area, there will be a direct benefit to Rockwood area residents, who boast the highest percentage of non-native English speakers in Multnomah County. In addition, the Rockwood International Marketplace will create jobs and earning opportunities for artisans from many cultures; compliment the urban renewal and development of the core Rockwood area located along the MAX line between Stark and 181st; become a destination point for commerce and retail activity; and attract visitors and shoppers as an extension of the downtown Portland Saturday Market and the Gresham Farmer's Market.
For more information, please contact Joan Pasco at 503-661-3981 or jpasco@1stop.org
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