Ziad Mahmoud/The Mossy Log
Over the weekend of March 28 and 29, the Portland Expo Center hosted the annual Thriftapalooza event. If you have lived in Portland for more than a day, you would know that this city’s economy runs on thrift shops and food trucks. Thriftapalooza combines these two loves into one huge event that gathers crowds of people with a shared interest in affordable, cool second-hand items and a love for food.
Thriftapalooza prides itself on sustainability and the importance of a circular economy. They hope to keep things fun and fashionable while also being eco-friendly, which means avoiding fast fashion and promoting secondhand consumption. They partner with local organizations such as The Arc Portland Metro, a nonprofit, to help put on this event.
The event took place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday. Vendors from all over Oregon, as well as the neighboring city of Vancouver, Washington, flocked to Thriftapoolaza to sell their items. Some vendors that I had the opportunity to talk to had local storefronts or online shops, while others only sold their stock in markets similar to this one.
After an hour-and-a-half public transit trip to North Portland, I finally walked into the Expo Center. I was almost let down after finding out that I had to purchase tickets to enter. However, as soon as I peeked in through the gates and saw how many booths there were inside, I did not hesitate to pay the $12 entry fee. Upon entry, I was thrilled by the vast number of people inside and the variety of items. The sound of rushing footsteps, people bargaining, and the sight of antique and vintage merchandise everywhere made me feel like I was going through a medieval market. My eyes scanned the whole place as I attempted to compile an itinerary and map of my journey through the sea of stands. Eventually I settled on my initial stop: a vintage records booth.
My first shock was realizing how cheaply the items were priced. The booth was divided into two sections: the first, where every record was $1; and the second, with discounted records rarely exceeding $15. There, I got two classic records: “Tapestry” by Carole King and “Aja” by Steely Dan for a total of $4. I considered this to be a steal.
Next, I found a couple of vintage clothing booths, where I got what is now one of my favorite thrifted T-shirts for $6. I had a great talk with the vendor, who offered to give me a pair of earrings for free along with the t-shirt. The vendor’s hospitality made it all the more welcoming. I added more to my collection after visiting
another vendor who had one of the most creative jewelry and trinket collections I had seen. She told me that she has a stand every Sunday at the North Portland Flea Market from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Other booths at the event included vintage video games, collectibles, handmade patches, books, decorations, art and even pastries. My favorite was a giganticboothlinedwithtraysofjewelry sold by weight, with every possible variation: gold, silver, colorful, bracelets, necklaces, rings and more. I could spend hours digging through them and still feel like there was more to uncover in the depths of the Goodwill-sized trays. The wide variety of items and quantity truly make the event one that you do not want to miss.
The event also had food trucks with a seating area that was much needed after getting lost thrifting for hours. I stopped by one of the taco trucks which had cheap but filling tacos: a perfect combination for those who already spent enough money and energy for the day. They also sell alcohol, for those over 21 who wish to sip while they shop. They also offer coffee and mimosas.
There was a free items table where vendors could add items for anyone to grab. Despite all of the different booths and food options, there was enough space for breathing room, and it never felt too chaotic.
Thriftapalooza guarantees a good experience for anyone interested in buying affordable second-hand clothes, finding cool vintage items or discovering their next favorite handmade decoration for their room. Thriftapalooza also donates items to local non-profits that were not sold that vendors wish to get rid of.
Anyone can sign up to sell their clutter at Thriftapalooza, so next time you find yourself hoarding too much stuff that you do not need — and you think that people would be interested in buying — consider signing up for their next market as a vendor. Applications open three months prior to the event. Thriftapalooza takes place annually in various cities across the country; the next one will be in Puyallup, Washington from June 6-7, before they head down to California and Arizona.
You can find out on the Thriftapalooza website whether they are coming to your hometown over summer break. Consider also checking out other events at the Expo Center, which hosts various gatherings ranging from quilting and crafts to food shows and career fairs. With Thriftapalooza’s annual recurrence, be sure to keep an eye out for their return to Portland next year. If you want to check out some of the vendors they can be found on Instagram @bluedragonflyvintage or @svdppdxthrift.
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