Celebrating World Postcard Day: A Record-Breaking PDX Gathering!
- Oct 13, 2024
- 3 min read
World Postcard Day 2024 was an event for the books! This year Postcrossing PDX celebrated at the Holgate Library in Portland Oregon, the event was hosted by Buzel and dictionary. Around 50 Postcrossing members gathered together—our largest turnout in Portland yet. Attendees came from near and far, including two special guests who traveled from Canada and two from Southern California. Many also stated that this was their first meet up.
The day was filled with the usual swapping, stamping, trivia and give a ways, but the newly formed connections with fellow enthusiasts is what was most special. One of our special guests was Nancy, who works at my local post office. After seeing all my incoming and outgoing postcards, I invited her to this meet up one day when purhchasing stamps; everyone was very excited to have her join us!
Heres a take from the co-host dictionary!
Our latest Postcrossing Meetup event was held at the Holgate Library in Portland. We had many ‘Postcrossers’ looking forward to it, and several new guests planning on coming. We counted around 50 people in attendance, including a possible news reporter. Almost 1,000 postcards lined the tables, ready to be signed and stamped.
Throughout the Meetup, people grazed at the ‘Trash or Treasure’ table. That table is where you de-stash things you might give to others, and you might find something you like to take home. Outside of hundreds of postcards, the table also held stickers needing new homes, washi-tape and craft items.
The hosts also took time to hold brief trivia breaks. Trivia questions centered around Postal Service facts, important postcard dates, and Postcrossing milestones. My favorite trivia question was about the world’s oldest post box: it’s a tree in Africa. Prizes were awarded, and people had a blast opening their goodies. And of course we had snacks!
Another highlight was picture time. We got group photos of the massive throng assembled on the back wall. We had to scoot in tight to get everyone in frame. Afterwards, we had smaller group photos – one was of Postcrossing hosts from near and far. Our visitors from Albany, Seattle and San Francisco made it magical. The hosts from California gave advice and had a great time talking postcards.
As all things do, the Meetup came to an end, but not without lunch. A few of us visited the local Round Table Pizza for sustenance. And slowly the conversation turned back around to: what about the NEXT Meetup? What would the theme, location, and date be? As of this writing, we have several more Postcrossing Meetups planned. Stay tuned!
Heres what some of the addendees have to say about the meet up!
"I’m happy to have met Charissa and Randy last year at a Portland, OR Postcrossing meetup. Going to a meetup without knowing anyone was daunting, but both of them created a warm and inviting space to enjoy the wholesome Postcrossing/snail mail hobby. I can’t think of a better way to enjoy World Postcard Day than with new friends whose enthusiasm is infectious!"
“I had a fantastic time at Charissa’s World Postcard Day meetup in Portland! The event was well-organized, and the atmosphere was incredibly friendly and joyous. Connecting with other postcard enthusiasts and signing cards was a highlight.“
Overall this was a sucessful event! and we cant wait to celebrate with everyone next year!
You can learn more about the history of World Postcard day here.
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