There’s a place in Portland where the scent of fresh kettle corn floats on the breeze, where guitar strings hum beneath the shade of century-old trees, and where creativity dances through every aisle. It's not just a market, it’s a living, breathing love letter to the city itself.
For more than 50 years, the Portland Saturday Market has been more than just a weekend tradition. It’s a cornerstone of the city’s creative heartbeat, a gathering place where passion, purpose, and community unite on the waterfront. What started as a handful of artists in a parking lot has become the longest continuously operating outdoor market in the U.S., transforming every Saturday and Sunday into a vibrant village of imagination.
At the heart of the celebration is the market’s powerful ability to evolve while staying grounded in its mission: every item must be handmade, and every artist must sell their own work. From yarn and woodwork to laser cutting and AI-generated art, the market reflects Portland’s eclectic spirit.
It’s a place where dreams are displayed on tables, where every handcrafted piece has a story, and where every visitor becomes part of the narrative.
As part of its 50th anniversary, K-LOVE’s Crystal Thornton sat down with the people who make the market what it is, visionary leaders, dedicated vendors, and artists who see their work not just as craft, but as a calling.
(Listen to the complete interview between Crystal Thornton and Portland Saturday Market leadership in the podcast below)
"We've gone from knitting and crocheting to 3D printing and AI-enhanced photography," says Eric Swenson, the market’s Director. "There’s 50 years in between that."
Leading the market, he says, is like “riding an elephant.” The creative energy has a momentum all its own, and Swenson’s job is to hang on and help it flourish. Despite changes in tools and technology, one thing remains: the human touch.
"It’s all still handmade, still deeply personal," he explains. “It’s just the tools that have changed.”
A Community Anchor in Old Town
Beyond the art and commerce, the Portland Saturday Market is a stabilizing force in the heart of Old Town.
“This is ground zero for hope, entrepreneurship, and renewal,” says Swenson. “When people ask what’s going right in Portland, this is it.”
The market supports more than 300 small businesses in a compact footprint “a hundred square feet at a time,” as veteran vendor and board chair Rhia Weinhaus puts it.
Winehouse, who has been with the market for 36 years, says it has supported and sustained her life and business for decades. “It gives me an address, a community, a reason to keep showing up. It’s like a little dome of sanity in a world that sometimes feels off-balance.”
Documenting a Legacy
That sense of grounded joy is now captured in a documentary directed by Portland native Keelan Booth.
“I’ve been coming here since I was a kid,” Booth shares. “As an artist, the market inspired me. Getting to tell its story in film has been an honor.”
Premiered at Cinema 21, the documentary intertwines interviews, historic footage, and fittingly images of hands. As Irie Mock, Marketing & Promotions Coordinator, points out, hands are a visual thread of the market’s identity.
“We always say, ‘from our hands to your home,’” she notes. “That’s who we are. That’s our difference.”
Mock says the public response has been overwhelming. “This has been one of our most successful seasons. The community has shown up, and they’re excited to be part of something bigger.”
A Creative Launchpad
The market is not just a place to sell, it’s a place to start. With low costs and high visibility, it's a launchpad for dreamers and doers.
“We’re one of the lowest-cost platforms for new artists in the country,” Swenson says. “And you get to do it in an iconic park, in one of the coolest cities on the West Coast.”
Vendors become mentors. Relationships span decades. The market is a web of interwoven stories, artisans passing down their knowledge, communities growing stronger together.
“The legacy of this market is built on people who said yes to their calling and weren’t afraid to start small,” Crystal Thornton shares in the podcast. “It’s a reminder that your gift matters.”
A Place to Belong
So, what is the secret to 50 years of relevance? According to Winehouse, it’s real connection.
“We see each other every week. We work, we play, we grow together. It’s not virtual it’s real.”
And when asked what word defines the market’s legacy?
“Resilient,” says Winehouse.
“Community,” adds Mock.
“Exuberant.”
And yes “Keep Portland weird.”
For new artists thinking about joining?
“Please come try,” Winehouse encourages. “We want you here. We’d love to see what you can bring to this community.”
Whether you’re a lifelong Portlander or a first-time visitor, the Portland Saturday Market is more than shopping. It’s belonging. For 50 years, it has stood as a haven of creativity, resilience, and joy—and it’s just getting started.
As Ephesians 2:10 reminds us:
“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
Your gifts are not random. They are a divine thread in a much greater tapestry. And if you’re feeling inspired to support, show up, or get involved, visit portlandsaturdaymarket.com for more details.