St. Johns Bizarre seeks alternative options for lighting that could 'diminish' event

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — The future of a long-running North Portland event could look different as organizers work to negotiate ongoing changes brought on by a local group and the city.

Since 2007, the St. Johns Bizarre has brought crowds of people to the historic neighborhood to enjoy live music, support small businesses and foster community. But organizers say the St. Johns Boosters Business Association and the Portland Bureau of Transportation have decided to install three new light poles in the center of the downtown plaza, which is the hub of the gathering.

Shamus Lynsky, who has volunteered for the event since its inception, told KOIN 6 that organizers were informed of the upcoming installations in January when plans were already solidified.

“We all want the same thing,” Lynsky said. “We're all there to shine a light on what a wonderful neighborhood we have and to… celebrate our community. So it's really unfortunate that this miscommunication happened and we just couldn't have been brought in earlier.”

The co-organizer highlighted the event’s growing success over the past several years. The 2025 “bizarre” brought in a lineup of regional acts like Black Belt Eagle Scout, Shabazz Palaces and Federale.

While Lynsky noted that PBOT and boosters have suggested alternative options for the stage, he said each suggestion would “diminish” the event in some way.

For example, moving the stage to Philadelphia Street could impact access to an emergency lane in the area. Organizers also remarked that relocating from the current space contradicts what the event sets out to achieve: activating the downtown plaza.

Tanya Hartnett, St. Johns Booster’s project manager for the lighting installation, told KOIN 6 the current placement is due to limitations from pre-existing utility lines and tree codes.

“We have to face the fact that the placement is caused by limitations beyond anyone’s control and that we are putting the lights up for the good of the community,” Tanya Hartnett added in an email. “We support the Bizarre and are thankful they put on this amazing event each year. We do not want this project to be an ‘us’ against ‘them’ scenario, and we do not want anyone to be the enemy on this.”

Lynsky said he supports the effort to boost lighting in order to prevent illegal activity and improve public safety, but he wants to find a solution that maintains an open plaza for the North Portland neighborhood’s largest event.

St. Johns Bizarre issued a call to action earlier this month, asking community members to urge city leaders to reconsider the lighting installation. But local boosters have fundraised and planned for the current placement for several years, PBOT revealed.

"We delayed installation of the improvements to accommodate the St Johns Bizarre event earlier this year,” the bureau noted. “The Portland Bureau of Transportation is installing new lighting in the plaza in the locations necessary for optimal safety and to make way for utilities and other infrastructure. We look forward to working with the event organizers so they can understand their options."

According to Lynsky, organizers are slated to meet with city leaders and other stakeholders later in June in hopes of finding an alternative solution.