Burning Man and City Repair

Burning Man founder Larry Harvey is in Portland this weekend. Born in Portland, adopted by a farm family and raised on one and a half acres in the Columbia River floodplain, Larry Harvey started Burning Man with a few friends and a beach bonfire in San Francisco in 1986. Now, the festival in Nevada’s Black Rock Desert attracts 30,000 people each year, living together for the week prior to Labor Day.

Tonight, Saturday March 24, Larry Harvey joins with City Repair at the launch event for “The Earthlight Project, a 600-800 foot transportable tensile fabric structure to be used for celebration, ceremony and disaster relief. The event will also be the grand opening of City Repair’s new event space.”

Mark Lakeman and Pedro Ferbel-Azcarate of City Repair hosted a house party for me during my campaign last year. In introducing and endorsing me, Mark made a comment that moved me profoundly. He said, “Amanda is known for all the things she does for Portland. But I think it’s true to say that Portland has made Amanda who she is.” Isn’t that the thing about Portland, and Oregon in general? Living here inspires us to grow, change, give back. And to notice the things that need Repairing (and even Burning), and join together to do something about them.