Rose Festival Celebrates Its 100th Birthday
Posted on: June 01, 2007
This is the 100th anniversary of the Portland Rose Festival. Since 1907 the Rose Festival has brought many great memories. The most memorable events in the Portland Rose Festival Celebration are the Parades. The “Junior”, “Grand Floral”, and the “Star Light” parades.
This year will be the Grandest Grand Floral Parade in decades! The Centennial Celebration will feature awe-inspiring all-floral float entries that pay tribute to Rose Festival history, incorporating re-creations of some of the best floats of the last century. The 2007 Grand Floral Parade will introduce new participants, culturally rich performances in the grandest of style from more international entries, and spectacularly adorned equestrian units and mounted posses. The Grand Floral Parade features the members of the Rose Festival Court. Captivating generations since 1907, this internationally distinguished parade has been recognized by the International Festival & Events Association and USA Today as one of the top five parades in the nation. It is the second largest all floral parades in the nation.
Did you know that an illuminated parade has been a part of the Portland Rose Festival since its early years? In 1907, “red fire” lit up the night as the fire department paraded along Yamhill Street. The following year, more than 20 floats “brilliantly illuminated with electric lights and torches” came together to celebrate “The Spirit of the West” during the night-time parade. Now known as the Starlight Parade, the Portland Rose Festival’s illuminated parade remains one of our most popular events, drawing more than 250,000 spectators to watch sparkling floats, gleaming bands and glowing marching groups wind their way through downtown. This year, in honor of the Portland Rose Festival’s Centennial, they will bring back a parade section honoring “The Spirit of the West” and special entries celebrating Portland’s history and diversity. A favorite with community organizations, the Starlight Parade includes many entries from regional festivals, neighboring cities, and local charities, as well as outstanding support from the sponsors and local businesses.
From the very beginning, the Portland Rose Festival has celebrated the community’s children. Portland’s very first Rose Festival in 1907 included a children’s parade of 2000 boys and girls representing 23 schools! In 1936, the Junior Parade became an official Rose Festival event. Since that time, the parade has become a beloved tradition for many Portland families. Bands, school groups, scout troops, children’s organizations, youth clubs, dance teams and families join in the parade. For many years, the parade featured members of the Junior Court. Today, children dress in costume, build colorful floats towed on wagons, or ride on bikes decorated with flowers, crepe paper, streamers and balloons—some of them future court members themselves! For the Centennial Celebration, there will be some special nostalgic entries in the parade, including a colorful maypole and beautiful historical costumes.
Article written by Heidi Beylund, Broker for portlandrealestate.com.