Picnic blanket dress? Gingham suit? Or make like Kristin in these photos and wear your most dramatic “what do you mean my husband is dead?” dress and walk like a wraith among Portland’s famous rose garden at Peninsula Park. While we can’t have an indoor event quite yet, you can’t beat the photo backdrop.

Let’s get the hard conversation out of the way: This is dependent on Multnomah County/Portland keeping infection rates down and the CDC mandates. What does that mean?

1. If for some reason we have a force majeure event and there is a spike in infections or a mutation, then this all gets postponed indefinitely. I, Becky Jo, am personally taking the financial risk to make this work and gamble that won’t happen.
2. I am requiring that you are vaccinated to attend. Can I force proof of this? Not really, but do know that many of our attendees are immune compromised including our beloved breast cancer survivors, so please, if you are not vaccinated, sit this one out.
3. If you do attend, you are taking responsibility for all personal health risks, no exceptions.
4. Masks. First rule is follow county and CDC rules. Second rule if not in conflict with first rule, do what makes you feel comfortable.

The above may be amended as I see fit without prior notification. While I do have a “board” of sponsors I confer with, at the end of the day this is 100% my financial risk, so these are my rules. 

Whew. Okay. Now let’s get to the fun & happy part.

Basic details:

When: Saturday, July 17th, 2021; 6pm-9pm; Itinerary to follow but you can expect check-in/nametag pick-up to be at 6 pm; raffle and photo call-outs to be between 6:30-7pm.

Where: Pergola at Portland’s Peninsular Park (map below) There are picnic tables in the pergola for about 50 people after we take tables over for pattern swap, check in, etc., so if you can’t bring your own seating, there will be some available. If you have mobility requirements, please contact me directly. I do know some of the sidewalk ramps around the park are better than others, and you can access the lower rose garden from our spot via path and ramp, but not all paths are paved, some are pea gravel. If you need me to go scout anything specific, don’t hesitate to ask.

How much/link to tickets: This is a Pay What You Can. Eventbrite minimum is $1. That’s it. $1. Eventbrite makes it so I can have a list of names to make nametags out of and put you in a raffle if we get that fancy. The more funding comes in from you and possible sponsors, the more fancy I can make it. I am NOT allowed a big, super loud PA system or any loud music/noise in this park. There’s not even electricity. I am working to get a power source for a small PA for our pergola but THERE WILL BE AN ITINERARY. I can’t broadcast over the park for raffle giveaways or photo ops, so please make sure your email is accurate for each attendee on your tickets. I’ll post itineraries on tables as well. If more funding comes in, I’ll try to get other perks but this is a BYOB/chair/blanket/food party so far.

Booze: BYOB. I will carry the insurance waiver required for you to be able to bring an adult alcholic beverage HOWEVER if you drink/toke/prefunk please Uber/Lyft. This park is on major greenways with a lot of kids around during their first summer free in over a year too. I want you and them to be safe. Bring that box of wine, just please be safe. The park requests no hard liquor and obvi there’s no smoking allowed. BRING A WATER BOTTLE. I will have an Igloo with water.

Photos: Next to socializing, this is the main perk, isn’t it? There will be professional photography. iPhones are great and all, but there’s nothing like having a pro on site. Josephine’s Dry Goods has already secured our stationary photography.

Nametags: Check-in and nametags will be provided so please be sure your name and Instagram handle are correct. It was suggested last year I give out lists of IG handles of attendees so we can keep in touch, so if you’d like to keep being social, please have your information on your nametag.

Expanded budget: ETA Kona Ice Truck Will Be On Site sponsored by Karleen at Sewing Studio and You Will Get A 12oz Shaved Ice Ticket!! If I get enough budget, these are my add-ons. A big cooler of water bottles. Table top fiddle-crafts like last event for social ice breakers. I’d like to make sure we have power/PA and a little music for close-in. I’d like to plant a candid photographer in the rose garden by the fountain. Maybe a banner to have signage on our pergola. Maybe an extra tent with tables or maybe I can secure a rental shaved ice machine. I have teens I can make work an ice machine. These are on my wishlist and I shall see what budget allows. Anything above and beyond will just go to secure space and swag for future events.

Swag & Swap: We are not going to have the usual all-attendee swag bags at this event. We will have raffle giveaways though, because our people are amazing, so please keep an eye out for that emailed itinerary so you know when raffle happens. You may bring patterns for a swap table and I’ll spread out a sheet for a fabric swap.

Again, I’m Becky Jo and my pronouns are she/her. This is a safe event meaning marginalized members of our community are welcome, protected, and safe. Please let me know if you have any questions.

Photos by me, Becky Jo, and model is our own fabulous Kristin Brown. Map of PP&R is from PP&R.