Support Foster businesses and get to know the new Foster by playing the Foster Letter Hunt. Go to events on Foster Road all summer long and collect letters as you go for a chance to win a $500 Visa gift card! Each letter you collect equals one entry into our raffle.

Here’s how it works:

1. Print a letter tracking card (or keep track on your own, just don’t lose them!)
2. Attend an event (list below)
3. Collect the secret letter at the event and record it
4. Once you have the letter, enter the contest!
5. Repeat steps 2-4 to increase your odds in winning.

While not required, we hope that you can try walking, biking, or riding transit to attend these events! If you need help in getting started, you can order information from SmartTrips.

Grand Prize: We will be raffling four $500 Visa gift cards at the end of summer. View the official contest rules here.

Enter the Contest: The deadline to enter the contest has now passed.

 

 

The Hunt is on – here are the 10 events!

June 16th – July 20th: #FosterFaves Photo Contest

June 16th – September 7th: Visit a Local Bike Shop

July 10th: Sweet and Savory Summer Bike Ride

July 13th: Let’s Go FoPo NeighborWalks hosted by AARP Oregon

July 20th: Foster Tasting Tour hosted by FABA

August 3rd: Lents Green Ring Ten Toe Walk

August 6th: The Art of Foster Bike Ride

August 11th: Lents Fair

August 18th: Grocery & Market Transit Tour

September 7th: Portland Mercado Taste of Latinoamérica Festival

 

Event Descriptions

 

June 16^th – July 20^th: #FosterFaves Photo Contest hosted by FABA

What is your favorite business on Foster Road? During these dates, when you post a photo inside your favorite Foster business to Instagram or Facebook with #FosterFaves you’ll get a chance to win a prize. Each week there is a theme, click here to find out what the theme is. Photos will be judged by the event host, the Foster Area Business Association (FABA).

Get your secret letter: PBOT will inform you of your secret letter by replying to your post!

 

June 16^th – September 7th: Visit a Local Bike Shop. Show your mailer and get $5 off service.

Dust off the bike sitting in storage and get it serviced for a smooth ride. Show the mailer promoting the Letter Hunt to Bike Frequency, Backpedal Cycleworks, or NW Pro Gear to get $5 off any service or repair! Limit one discount per mailer and while supplies last. This offer expires on September 7, 2019.

Get your secret letter: Find the letter displayed inside any of these bike shops. No purchase necessary.

 

July 10^th: Sweet and Savory Summer Bike Ride

5:45 PM. Starts at Woodstock Park (SE 47th Ave and Harold St)    

Free sweet and savory treats to bribe you to take an easy ride through comfortable biking streets in the neighborhood and the new bike lanes on Foster Road. This event is hosted by PBOT Portland By Cycle which offers free guided bike rides and classes almost year-round.

Get your secret letter: A friendly PBOT staff will tell you the secret letter at the beginning of the ride. If you join in late, just ask.

 

July 13^th: Let’s Go FoPo NeighborWalks hosted by AARP Oregon

10:00 AM. Starts at Essex Park (SE 79th Ave and Center St)

Join us for a leisurely pace walk through Foster-Powell neighborhood hosted by AARP Oregon and its volunteers. All ages and abilities are welcome. The NeighborWalks series is a volunteer-run program that is run by AARP Oregon in partnership with PBOT and Oregon Walks. If you are planning to attend, please register ahead of time to save time on the day of the event.

Get your secret letter: A friendly PBOT staff will tell you the secret letter at the beginning of the walk. If you join in late, just ask.

 

July 20^th: Foster Tasting Tour hosted by FABA

2:00-10:00 PM. Various Locations on SE Foster Rd between Powell Ave and 82^nd Ave. PBOT booth will be at Carts on Foster (5205 SE Foster Rd).

A family-friendly Tasting Tour hosted by the Foster Area Business Association (FABA) where you can try everything from booze to board games. Start out at any of the participating businesses, pick up your passport book and start tasting! Go to the Tasting Tour event webpage for details. Not only will you get a raffle entry for collecting your secret letter, you can also win prizes by filling up your Tasting Tour passport!

Get your secret letter: Stop by the PBOT booth at Carts on Foster (5205 SE Foster Rd) to collect your secret letter and get help with your transportation-related questions. No purchase necessary.

 

August 3^rd: Lents Green Ring Ten Toe Walk

9:00 AM. Starts at Glenwood Park, SE 87th and Glenwood St

Join us for a medium pace walk with Green Lents through the four legs of the Lents Green Ring--a loop of greenways and connected paths that highlight Lents community spaces. This event is hosted by PBOT Ten Toe Express Walks, which offers free guided walks throughout spring and summer.

Get your secret letter: A friendly PBOT staff will tell you the secret letter at the beginning of the walk. If you join in late, just ask.

 

August 6^th: The Art of Foster Bike Ride

5:45 PM. Starts at Portland Mercado (7238 SE Foster Rd)

Take a look at public art near and along Foster Road, which is now more bike- and walk-friendly. This event is hosted by PBOT Portland By Cycle which offers free guided bike rides and classes almost year-round.

Get your secret letter: A friendly PBOT staff will tell you the secret letter at the beginning of the walk. If you join in late, just ask.

 

August 11^th: Lents Fair

11:00-4:00 PM. SE Harold St and SE 92nd Ave

Now in its fourth year, the Lents Fair is a free and family-friendly celebration of summer and community that features local vendors, foods, and a Chicken Beauty Contest.

Get your secret letter: Stop by the PBOT booth at to collect your secret letter and get help with your transportation-related questions.

 

August 18^th: Grocery & Market Transit Tour

10:30 – 1:00 PM. Meet at the entrance of Asian Health & Service Center (9035 SE Foster Rd).

Foster Road is home to food sources that are both healthy and highlight the cultural diversity of Southeast Portland. Join us as we hop on and off the bus on Foster Rd to visit grocery stores and markets. Staff from TriMet, Ride Connection, and PBOT will be there to offer tips about riding transit, talk about grocery-shopping by transit, and answer questions. Transit fare will be provided for the first 25 adults.

Get your secret letter: A friendly PBOT staff will tell you the secret letter at the beginning of the tour. If you join in late, just ask.

 

September 7^th: Portland Mercado Taste of Latinoamérica Festival

12:00-7:00 PM. Portland Mercado (7238 SE Foster Rd)

Stop by the PBOT booth at Portland Mercado's fifth annual Taste of Latinoamérica. Support more than 25 Latinx Empresarios while taking part in the food, drinks, and cultural activities from across Mexico, Central America, South America & the Caribbean Islands. Enjoy a day out full of live music, dancing, art, kids' activities, an open air bar, and more!

Get your secret letter: Stop by the PBOT booth at to collect your secret letter and get help with your transportation-related questions.

 

Questions? Call 503-823-4584 or email smarttrips@portlandoregon.gov