Last Sunday I visited an annual event that has been a Portland tradition since the mid 1960s. The Milk Carton Boat Races at Westmoreland Park display engineering ingenuity, civic commitment by organizers and sponsors, and above all family togetherness that lasts through many months of learning about watercraft construction, preparation of costumes and paddling practice before the culminating races. In that regard they are a microcosm of what can be good about our nation, a common good, no less, since the events are inclusive, free to visit, and making use of city parks dedicated to the community.

A short history of West Moreland Park and its usage, written by Dana Beck 4 years ago, can be found here. It explains the role of the Royal Rosarians (for non-Portlanders: these are “ambassadors of Goodwill”, a 114-year-old civic organization associated with our famous rose festival) as current sponsors of the races. They know how to put on a party, but more importantly work hard to maintain civic cohesion and draw youths into engagement with our civic institutions. Including instructions to how to build a boat from dairy cartons….

I will let the photographs speak for themselves. They captured some of the joy and excitement, parent-child bonds,

friendship groups,

the fashion quirks as well as smart costumes designed at home,

the ambassadors who organized the event and greeted everyone with warmth and poise,

and some of the volunteers from multiple organizations and businesses who helped make things run smoothly.

Not to mention the canine presence….

It was the perfect on-ramp for thoughts about the 4th of July, and the special birthday this nation is celebrating, seeing the diversity among participants all happily cooperating to provide a joyous moment for Portland’s citizenship. A melting pot of people, paddling on rickety structures, lovingly maintained, cheered on by a large crowd of (mostly) strangers. Groups from all walks of life (and likely political backgrounds) joining in a shared task. No commercial exploitation, or lure to buy stuff to consume – simply the excitement of the competition and the creativity exhibited in the designs and sportsmanship in a civic space. A commonwealth.

There are others who have meaningfully written about the problems and uncertainties we are currently experiencing as a nation, Rebecca Solnit and Jennifer Rubin among them with insightful analysis. I, however, just want to cling to the glimpses of happiness from last Sunday, a reminder what is possible in this country, what we can make possible if we embrace the ideas about equality on which this nation was founded.