August 16, 2023
Page 9
A New Beginning for George Park
Family fun
promised at
St. Johns’
forgotten park
There will be an influx of
smiles in St. Johns this summer,
as The Kidz Outside returns to
George Park to infuse it with
the special blend of music, won-
der and imagination that got it
pegged as one of the “Best Sum-
mer Events” by Portland Monthly
last year. More than a music event,
The Kidz Outside is an ongoing
community-led effort to reimagine
George Park, which sits nestled
in the heart of St. Johns between
Roosevelt High School, George
Middle School and two elemen-
tary schools that has garnered
significant steam over the years.
After last year’s kickoff brought
out hundreds to the 2-acre green-
space that most neighbors say
rarely has any events happening
in it, the event producers are pre-
pared to go even bigger, teaming
up again with Portland Parks and
Recreation’s Summer Free for All
program to bring C’est La, Yawa
(formerly known as Amenta Abio-
to) & event co-founder Mat Ran-
Kids of all ages taking part of the ‘Crowd The Kidz Outside’ Festival.
dol to the big stage.
Year one left an impression,
with nearly 300 kids and fami-
lies filling out a night of all-ages
amusement that had folks hanging
out long after the last song had
been sung. Randol hopes to rec-
reate and multiple that energy for
year 2. Randol, a veteran word-
smith who shared the stage at last
year’s kickoff with then 10-year-
old rapper J. Prodigy, says he’s
excited to expand the event with
fellow rapper C’est La and 2018
Best New Band artist Yawa whose
described her live often freestyled
performances as a blend of “syn-
thy, rocky, soul, hip-hop” in the
past. “Performing at the inaugural
The Kidz Outside Festival meant
so much to me it’s hard to put
into words. Seeing the commu-
nity come out in full fledge sup-
port, seeing all these young kids
engaged meant everything to me,”
says Randol whose fresh off the
release of his latest single ‘Fast
Forward’ whose visuals comically
showcase him as a senior citizen
at iconic locals like Irving Park,
Providence Park and of course
unofficial North Portland logo,
the St. John’s Bridge. “I’m really
looking forward to having Yawa
and C’est La join us this year be-
cause both artists are multi talent-
ed and bring unique styles to the
stage this year from the rapping,
singing and producing aspect.
Stationed right during back-to-
school season, TKO Fest will also
be bringing back a highly popular
fixture of last year’s event: a back-
pack and supply giveaway. For
year one, through partnership with
Tenacious Rose they were able
to hand out 70 backpacks, along
with countless pencils, pens, note-
books, binders and other class-
rooms to help kids be ready for
school. This year, they’re planning
to hand out more: 140“I remember
being in high-school and not hav-
ing the funds or resources to have
my own graphing calculator. It
was embarrassing. ” says LaQui-
sha Minnieweather, co-founder
of Tenacious Rose. “Now it is a
passion of mine to make sure our
students have what they need to be
and feel successful. Last year, we
handed out 70 backpacks. I look
forward to doubling that amount.”
The backpacks aren’t the only
fixture making a return -- Port-
land’s favorite clown Nikki Brown
Clown will also be on hand again,
making balloon animals, setting
up bean bag toss competitions and
keeping the vibes high.