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Vendor Tables Available for BPM Fest
Call for Vendors and Sponsors: Showcase Your Work at the Inaugural BPM Drum Festival, and show your support of the arts in Bayside!
Bayside is getting ready to beat to a new rhythm this summer! On Saturday, August 1st, 2026, the Bayside Neighborhood Association (BNA) is proudly presenting the first-ever BPM Traditional Drum Festival along the beautiful Bayside Trail.
Thanks to a generous grant from the Levitt Family Foundation, this free, open-air festival is designed to activate our public green spaces, celebrate Bayside’s incredible cultural diversity, and bring community members together through a unique, multi-group synchronized sonic experience.
With massive crowds expected to walk the trail, dance, and listen to iconic groups like Taiko Maine, Namory Keita, and the Keepers of the Penobscot Drum, we want YOU to be a part of the energy.
Why Table at BPM Fest?
Whether you are a local maker, an advocacy group, a neighborhood non-profit, or a small business, setting up a table at the festival puts you directly in front of thousands of Portland residents and visitors in a festive, high-vibe atmosphere.
We are actively looking for:
- Artisans & Makers: Handcrafted goods, art, jewelry, and creative wares.
- Community Providers & Non-Profits: Organizations looking to share resources, sign up volunteers, or highlight community initiatives.
- Neighborhood Businesses: Local brands looking to connect directly with the West Bayside community and beyond.
The Details
- When: Saturday, August 1st, 2026 | 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Where: Along the Bayside Trail starting at Somerset and Elm Streets
- Cost: Free! We have a limited number of tables and chairs, so if you can bring your own that is appreciated.
Secure Your Spot Today!
Ready to join the rhythm of the neighborhood? Spots will fill up fast as we map out the trail footprint.
Don’t wait—head over to our official signup page to tell us about your setup and secure your table space:
👉 Apply to be a BPM Fest Vendor Here
Become a Festival Sponsorship Partner
An impactful community celebration like this takes a village. While our grant covers the foundational costs, we are actively looking for local businesses, corporate partners, and community stakeholders to step up as BPM Fest Sponsors.
By partnering with the BNA, you’re showing your concrete commitment to local arts and diversity, which will help keep this incredible event entirely free and accessible to all.
👉 Interested in partnering? email us at events@baysideportland.org
For more information on the festival lineup, interactive drum circles, and schedule, check out the official BPM Fest Hub. See you on the trail!
Thank you to Levitt Family Foundation for its support of The BPM Traditional Drum Festival! We love Levitt Foundation’s mission, which is to strengthen the social fabric of America through the power of free, live music. In 2026, Levitt is supporting more than 900 free outdoor concerts nationwide in 100+ towns and cities across all 50 states and Puerto Rico, bringing people together of all ages and backgrounds to create healthy, connected, and thriving communities. Learn more: levitt.org
Congratulations to the Natural Helpers!
We are thrilled to celebrate the recent graduation of our very own Bayside Neighborhood Association Vice President, Peter Markoe, from the City of Portland’s 2026 Natural Helpers cohort.
Peter has consistently poured his heart into making Bayside an inclusive, vibrant place to live, and he stepped into this intensive fellowship to find new ways to elevate and empower the voices of our residents. Alongside him, Obed’s participation ensures that community needs are kept front and center on the Board of Commissioners, expanding his network of resources to better advocate for the wonderfully diverse families across Portland.
Reflecting on the experience, Peter noted, “The Natural Helpers Cohort helps forge relationships and bonds between individuals and communities, based on the common ground of helping your neighbor regardless of their circumstance. This virtue is a pillar of what it means to be a Mainer. There is really something special happening here in Portland and I cannot wait to see what this group accomplishes.
Organized by the Office of Economic Opportunity (OEO), this brilliant program is a five-month fellowship designed to bridge the gaps between our diverse neighborhoods and vital local resources. This year’s cohort included 14 dedicated individuals representing seven countries of origin and 11 local organizations—all working together to build a stronger, more connected city.
The collective impact of this group is incredible. Over their five months together, the fellows provided over 650 direct support actions, helped eliminate thousands in medical debt for neighbors, assisted 60 individuals with workforce development, and reached roughly 4,500 community members through events and outreach.
As OEO Director Melissa Hue shared during the celebration, these leaders do this work simply because they genuinely care about their communities, helping neighbors navigate difficult situations and providing a shoulder to lean on. Portland is a better, kinder, and more resilient place because of their dedication. Also graduating was Bayside Opportunity Center board member Obed Frempong Aboagye. Congratulations to Peter, Obed, and the entire 2026 cohort of Natural Helpers!
Show Your Bayside Pride!
Bayside Caps Are Here!
The BNA recently invested in a small lot of high-quality 100% cotton branded caps with custom embroidery to increase neighborhood visibility, foster community pride, and serve as a premium perk for our fundraising efforts. Right now you can get your own Bayside Cap with any donation of $25 or more. Your contribution helps fuel the vital programming, advocacy, and community outreach at the heart of the BNA’s work for over 25 years.
Act now and we’ll throw in a “Bayside is the Playside” pin to go with your hat. While supplies last. Thanks to the City of Portland Office of Sustainability.
Who’s wearing Bayside caps? Everybody!
Click the givebutter link above (note you don’t have to pay a donor fee) or use venmo@baysideportland Pick up your cap at the next BNA Board Meeting: 6pm, Tuesday, June 2nd, in the Steve Hirshon Community Room at Unity Village, 24 Stone Street, Portland, Maine. Otherwise reach out to info@baysideportland.org and we’ll arrange a pickup or dropoff at your convenience.
Annual Meeting Tonight
The Bayside Neighborhood Association Annual Meeting is happening tonight, May 2nd, from 5–7pm at the Equality Community Center, 15 Casco Street The evening will include a potluck, so please bring a dish to share if you’re able! On the agenda: a year-in-review of BNA activities and initiatives, and board elections for five open seats. General members who sign a membership form at the meeting are eligible to vote. Come connect with your neighbors, celebrate the past year, and help shape the future of Bayside!
Also today, rain or shine: Jane’s Walks throughout Bayside:
Re-Urbanizing the Urban Fabric: Portland’s Franklin Street (Jane’s Walk)
9am-10am, Meet at Lincoln Park near Federal Street & Congress Street
Affordable Housing in Portland: Rethinking Expectations (Jane’s Walk)
11am-12:30pm, Meet at 72 Oak Street
The Potential Future Home of the Bayside Opportunity Center at 28 Portland Street (Jane’s Walk)
1pm-2pm, Meet at 28 Portland Street
Bayside Underwater (Jane’s Walk)
2pm-3pm, Meet at Chestnut St. and Congress St.
ALSO TONIGHT:
Honey Tones in Concert 7pm–9pm,
“Last Church on the Left” at 58 Wilmot Street • Swing, blues, jazz, and folk. Suggested donation $20, all proceeds to performers. BYOB (no red wine) text 207-773-3434 for more information
Bayside Week Finale & Night Cap! 9:00 – 11:00pm
Bar Publica 82 Hanover St Suite 7, Portland, ME 04101
Over the winter break Bar Publica redecorated, switched up the vibe and are now open! With empanadas, draft cocktails like Agua de Jamaica, and more now gracing the menu, stop by for dinner, drinks, and get your dance on!
Sunday May 3
Gnome Roam Wrap Party 5pm–8pm
Wilson County BBQ, 82 Hanover Street
Share photos & stories and take home prizes and “gnomentos” from Bayside Week
Note:Schedule is subject to change. For the latest updates and more information please see the Bayside Neighborhood Association website at baysideportland.org
Photos from the BNA Team Appreciation Party:
Ice Cream for Everyone!
Two Bayside Week events prove that nothing brings a community together like sharing some ice cream on a warm spring day. Sundaes on a Monday was a great success thanks to our partners at Avesta Housing and Wayside Food Programs, which provide community meals every Monday from noon-1pm at 409 Cumberland Avenue. This week dessert was just a little sweeter and a lot cooler, thanks to the BNA Events Team.
… and today the Bayside Opportunity Center crew got out to Stone Street Playground to give out cups and cones to kids after school, along with groups from Boys’ & Girls’ Club and United Way programs. Thanks to the City of Portland Office of Sustainability for the block party kit, and to Whole Foods Market for donating the ice cream.
COMING UP:
Midtown Properties Community Feedback Session Wednesday April 29th 4pm–6pm
City Hall, 389 Congress Street, Room 24 • Share your ideas for four City-owned, undeveloped parcels in Bayside.
Sidewalk Chalk Flash Mob Thursday April 30th 3pm–4pm
28 Portland St (under the big green Bayside sign) • Draw your dream streetscape, send a message of peace to your neighbors, or maybe play a little hopscotch!
MORE FROM BAYSIDE WEEK:
The Deb Van Hoewyk Bayside Community Garden
On a sunny spring Sunday afternoon yesterday, neighbors gathered at 78 Chestnut Street to give the Bayside Community Garden a name worthy of the woman who helped build it.
The garden is now officially the Deb Van Hoewyk Bayside Community Garden.
City Councilor Sarah Michniewicz kicked things off by picking up a screwgun and bolting the new sign to the garden shed herself. It is now officially, permanently, on the record. Then Deb’s nieces and nephews who were present planted flowers at the entrance to the garden.
Councilor Michniewicz, BNA President Tom Blackburn, and Deb’s husband John Van Hoewyk all spoke, sharing memories of a woman who gave so much of herself to this neighborhood — as a BNA board member for over a decade, a grant writer, a program builder, and an unfailingly generous presence who had a gift for bringing people together. Deb helped create the Bayside World Market & Fair, the Black Frame Art Sale, summer lunches at Unity Village, ESOL programming at the Immigrant Welcome Center, and was instrumental in getting the community garden funded and off the ground. She was still deep in the work of building the Bayside Opportunity Center when she passed away in August 2025.
To make it official, John cut the ceremonial ribbon alongside Deb’s sisters, Patience and Priscilla — a moment that was equal parts poignant and joyful, the kind of thing Deb herself would have appreciated.
The Deb Van Hoewyk Community Garden is located at 78 Chestnut Street, and it’s open for the season. More information is available here.
Spring Cleanup Success!
Dozens of neighbors and friends showed up yesterday to pitch in and help with the Annual BNA Spring Cleanup in collaboration with the City of Portland’s Great Portland Pickup. Thanks to Karly Meyer of the City of Portland’s Office of Sustainability and Leyla Hashi of Portland Parks Conservancy for helping put together the city-wide effort, to Eighty-8 Donuts and Coffee by Design for keeping us fueled up, and to Charlie Mitchell and staff at Bayside Bowl for hosting the afterparty. A great start to Bayside Week!
Along the way, some intrepid litter-pickers noticed some new neighbors in Bayside—the Bayside Gnome Roam got underway yesterday also. Here’s a sneak peek at some photos we’ve received already from gnome hunters:
As you can see, our friend Artie is in on the hunt too! follow him on instagram@mainely_the_child
You’re also likely to run into another beloved Bayside neighbor, the “Bayside Bunny” (okay there’s probably more than one) posing here for a gnome hunter’s camera. Be careful not to disturb the bunnies—or gnomes—and leave them where you find them for others to enjoy.
The Bayside Gnome Roam Begins!
How It Works: Start any time during Bayside Week, but get a headstart including hints and how-tos at the BNA Spring Cleanup Saturday April 25th from 10-noon at the Bayside Community Garden on Chestnut Street.
During Bayside Week (April 25–May 2) you can find gnomes hidden all over the neighborhood. See below for photos and clues on where to find them. Track them down in real life, snap your own photo and email it to gnomes@baysideportland.org or paste it into the uploader on the bottom of the page.
Capture the spirit of Bayside and win big. Your photos could earn you neighborhood gear, gift cards to local favorites, or a gnome of your very own!
We’ll get together at the end of the week to share stories, photos, and collect prizes. Join us at Wilson County BBQ on Hanover Street Sunday May 3rd at 5pm for the announcement of the Gnome-coming King and Queen!
Note: Please do not touch, move, tamper with, disturb or otherwise harass the gnomes. They are very sensitive; remember that the Bayside gnomes live here too, and if you move them they could get lost or confused. Please think of your fellow gnome hunters, too! Try to take a unique photo that shows that you and your hunting party were there with the gnome. Make it fun for everyone!
BEHIND THE SCENES: Maine Clay Collaborative Kiln Unload: Gnome Edition
New ESOL Group in Bayside starts May 4th
The Bayside Opportunity Center, in collaboration with Avesta Housing and the A. Philip Randolph Institute (APRI), is now offering a guided English Conversation Group — a fun and relaxed space to practice English and build confidence through real conversations. Sessions include interactive discussions and simple group activities designed to develop speaking and listening skills, led by professional teachers of English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) Ina Demers MS Ed, and Garrett Stewart, president of APRI ME.
Sessions are offered every weekday (5 days a week) in the Community Room at Pearl Place at 184 Pearl Street in Portland — Monday through Frida from 5–6 PM. Free of charge, and no registration required. All ages and levels welcome, and support for parents with small children can be provided. For more information, contact demeri@portlandschools.org.
Groupe de conversation en anglais
Grupo de Conversação em Inglês
مجموعة المحادثة باللغة الإنجليزية
Kooxda Wada-hadalka Ingiriisiga
Kikundi cha Mazungumzo ya Kiingereza
The Spring 2026 Baysider is here!
The latest Baysider is out and about. Click the photo to download a pdf version, and visit your local Bayside businesses to find a print copy. Thanks to Maine Trust for Local News for help with the printing, and to all our contributors, advertisers, and supporters for making the Baysider happen. Let us know what you think, submit an article, advertisement, and/or join the Baysider Team by emailing baysider@baysideportland.org
Baysider Mission Statement: The Baysider is a quarterly newsletter published by the Bayside Neighborhood Association (BNA) to promote neighborhood activities, businesses, people, and news. It is intended to build neighborhood cohesion, strengthen relationships, recruit new members to the BNA, and spread joy.