Photo of the Week: Birthday blankets on the Broadway Bridge

Broadway Bridge blanket and sunset

Sunset light blankets the Broadway Bridge and its temporary “yarnbomb.”
(Photo © J. Maus/BikePortland)

As we shared a few months ago, the Broadway Bridge turns 100 years old this year. As part of an ongoing celebration, a temporary installation of four separate, large knitted blankets have been draped from its spans.

A few nights ago, as my family and I pedaled home from our first Thorns soccer game at Jeld-Wen Field, I noticed the blankets were billowing perfectly in the warm evening breeze and the light was a perfect complement to their multi-colored patterns.

According to PDX Bridge Festival organizers, the four blankets were conceived of and put together by local artist Tyler Mackie. Titled, Bridge for Blankets, each of the pieces is 18-feet wide by 21-feet tall and are made mostly of wool. It took the work of 150 volunteer knitters to put them together and after they come down at the end of this month, they’ll be divided into six-foot squares and donated to local warming shelters.

The climax of this “yarnbomb” will be a big block party this Saturday (8/10) from 12:00 to 7:00 pm at NW 9th and Hoyt. Head on over for live music, dancing, model bridges made by local elementary school students, food, crafts, and more. More info on the event and the Bridge Fest here.

Jonathan Maus (Publisher/Editor)

Jonathan Maus (Publisher/Editor)

Founder of BikePortland (in 2005). Father of three. North Portlander. Basketball lover. Car owner and driver. If you have questions or feedback about this site or my work, feel free to contact me at @jonathan_maus on Twitter, via email at maus.jonathan@gmail.com, or phone/text at 503-706-8804. Also, if you read and appreciate this site, please become a supporter.

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John Lascurettes
10 years ago

I’ve been wondering what those were for every day I’ve been riding by them. Thanks.

Joe
Joe
10 years ago

awesome!

BURR
BURR
10 years ago

Only in Portland…

q`Tzal
q`Tzal
10 years ago
Reply to  BURR

Oh, yarnbombing is pretty big in other big cities like NYC. What surprises me is it sounds like they got legally authorized access to the bridge.
Other yarnbombing sites I’ve seen seem to be extra-legal. This could be a problem with a bridge under DHS observation.

kkcoughlin
kkcoughlin
10 years ago

I think the blankets are pretty sweet. But a giant, world record smashing, game of pooh sticks on the Broadway, now that would be something.

DNF
DNF
10 years ago

they’re taking donations to help pay for the yarn, if you’d like to help out: http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/bridge-for-blankets–143

Anne Hawley
Anne Hawley
10 years ago

It’s not often–well, it’s not EVER–that I get to share something from BikePortland with my knitting community on Google+. Great photo, Jonathan.

Kristen
Kristen
10 years ago

Great job, knitters! I know just how much work you all put into this project, and it turned out AWESOME. JM, that picture is perfect, the blanket looks like stained glass in the sun.