IN THE NEWS: City gears up for 15th annual Celebrate Hillsboro

Hillsboro’s signature community event, Celebrate Hillsboro, combines local market favorites, diverse art and live music for its 15th annual day of entertainment in the summer sun.

The city of Hillsboro welcomes everyone downtown (150 E. Main St.) on Saturday, July 20, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. to enjoy daytime market excitement. Live music, partnering booths, arts and crafts, free health screenings and eco-friendly activities will all join normal Saturday Farmers’ Market fare for the special occasion.

Presented by OHSU Tuality Healthcare, this year’s celebration has shifted its focus to better highlight the area’s rich culture, according to a recent news release.

“Through the sharing of culturally significant music, food, art and performance, Celebrate Hillsboro will come alive to honor the collective stories of Hillsboro’s diverse voices, past and present,” it reads.

What: 2019 Celebrate Hillsboro, Free Cultural Festival

When: Saturday, July 20; street festival 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; after-hours concert 4:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Where: Downtown Hillsboro, 150 E. Main St.
Cost: Free
Family-friendly festivities

Those attempting to avoid the expected heat can visit artisans at the Sequoia Art Marketplace from 10 am to 6 pm in the lobby of the Tom Hughes Civic Center Plaza, which will transform itself into the “living room” of Celebrate Hillsboro for the day.

The Civic Center will serve as an all-day music stage, featuring unique eats and drinks in the surrounding areas. A beer garden and shade tents can also be found nearby to refresh visitors.

Children looking to cool down can run through the fountain, which will be on and ready for wet, wild fun. Other kids’ activities include juggling, access to an inflatable fun zone and this year’s new addition of local ethnic groups sharing traditional creative expressions.

Celebrate Hillsboro’s popular Youth Stage makes its return to the event, positioned on the end of Main Street at Third Avenue. School of Respect, Hillsboro Dance Center and Hillsboro Camp Amp & Hillsboro Arts Summer make up this year’s lineup of promising young artists.

The Health & Wellness area will remain on Second Avenue as in years prior, offering free health screenings and promoting community health and safety. Sustainability components previously found at the Civic Center Plaza will be dispersed across Main Street and Second Avenue as well.

Party never ends

To commemorate the event’s 15th anniversary of providing diverse cultural opportunities for the community, visitors can pick up birthday treats at 4 p.m. from the plaza.

As the market winds down, the fun will be far from over. Celebrate Hillsboro After Hours starts up at 4:30 p.m. with free music on the plaza from female-led cover band Dancehall Days.

At 6:30 p.m. Kalimba, The Spirit of Earth Wind & Fire, will be performing R&B and soul favorites to cap off the evening. Visitors are encouraged to grab a bite to eat, a drink to sip on and listen to tunes as the sun sets over the city.

More than 12,000 families, children and businesses participate in Celebrate Hillsboro each year.

See the original story by Shelby Cokeley on the Hillsboro Tribune.