Requirements for Last Thursday vendors

Information
An artist paints at Last Thursdays for an audience of event attendees.
Thank you for your interest in Last Thursday. Please review the mutual expectations for the festival manager, currently the City of Portland, and vendors.
On this page

Last Thursday Street Festival vendors should expect the City of Portland to:

  • Close NE Alberta Street between NE 15th and NE 30th to allow only pedestrian traffic and to allow vendors to set up in the public right-of-way on the last Thursday evenings of June, July, and August, between 6 and 9 p.m.

  • Provide sufficient security for the three events by coordinating with the Portland Police Bureau, private security, and volunteer groups.

  • Supply the event with sufficient accommodations for garbage and recycling and port-a-potties.

  • Host and promote a well-organized, fun, and safe community event.

The City of Portland expects Last Thursday street festival vendors to:

  • Vendor spaces are free and first-come first-served. 

  • Street vending is only allowed when the street is closed to motor vehicle traffic.

  • Set up only within the borders of the designated street closure; i.e from NE 15th to NE 30th Avenues along NE Alberta Street.

  • Not set up on the public sidewalk or block ramps for wheelchairs.

  • Not set up in intersections so that emergency vehicles can have access when needed.

  • Set up only within a 10'x10' square. Your set up should be on the side of the road so that the middle can be used for attendees to walk.

  • Set up no earlier than 5 p.m. on the evenings of Last Thursday in June, July, or August, and within the designated street closure area. Please stay clear of the travel lane before the road closes to cars at 6:00. If you have a 10 x 10 tent, please set up two feet of it on the sidewalk and 8 feet in the parking lane. The parking lane where cars park is 8 feet wide, so this will keep you out of the travel lane. It's important for us to leave clear space on the sidewalk for people in wheelchairs and other mobility devices (like strollers) can easily walk down the sidewalk before the street becomes car-free. 

  • If you unload a motor vehicle on Alberta Street, please park your vehicle on another street. Leaving your car on Alberta Street during the event takes away from other vendors and participants. It also has a negative impact on the overall vibe of the event.

  • Promptly break down and leave the designated street closure no later than 9 p.m. on the evenings of Last Thursday in June, July, or August. Vending is not allowed after 9 p.m.

  • Food vendors: We are not supporting food vending at the event as we have in the past. The food businesses on the street were having their worst sales days of the year during our event. In order to support their businesses, we have decided to not allow food service.

  • Take responsibility for cleaning up any trash created as a result of your using space for the purpose of vending. Any vendor who doesn’t take responsibility for cleaning his/her area may be asked to leave and not attend future Last Thursday events. 

  • Musicians: We welcome music, but need to be respectful of the neighborhood. The goal with volume is that people walking by can hear your music, but the residential areas near the event are not impacted.

  • Not run any electrical wires or extension cords into brick and mortar establishments.

The following types of third parties shall not be eligible to participate at Last Thursdays on Alberta: any business or organization that restricts membership or access based upon any category protected under the City’s civil rights ordinance or state or federal law and/or any business or organization that is not legally open to, or may not legally sell its products or provide its services to, residents of all ages.
 
By vending or performing at Last Thursday, the applicant acknowledges that s/he is a qualified independent, insured vendor or representative of a non-profit and: assumes all responsibility and risk associated with all conditions, hazards and potential dangers in, on, or about a street performance or booth/table top site whether they are obvious or concealed. The applicant further acknowledges and agrees to release, indemnify and hold harmless the City of Portland and the City’s respective officers, employees and agents from all loss, injury, damage or liability to persons or property arising out of vendor’s acts or omissions, before, during and after the Last Thursday event.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Greg Raisman, Portland Bureau of Transportation, at greg.raisman@portlandoregon.gov or 503-823-8893.