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Portland Rose Festival
Events 2008

When it's Portland Rose Festival time, you know that summer has begun. This year the 101st Rose Festival begins the end of May. The theme this year is Romancing the Rose. Festival time is packed with events and sometimes it can be difficult to choose which ones to take part in because there are so many.

Waterfront Village

frozenchipmunk, Creative Commons

The largest carnival in the Pacific Northwest opens on Thursday, May 29th and runs through Sunday, June 8th in Tom McCall Waterfront Park along the banks of the Willamette River in downtown Portland. It is fun for the whole family with rides, five stages with entertainment, three food courts, live bands, and strolling minstrels.

The gates open at 5 pm on the first day, Thursday, May 29th. After that the village is open from 11:00 am to 11:00 pm.

Children six and under are always admitted free. Free admission for everybody on opening day, and Monday through Friday until 4:00 pm. Tuesday is free for everyone all day and evening. Admission for people over the age of six is $5.00 after 4:00 pm on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and all day Saturday and Sunday.

Concert at the Park

If you like band music, you will enjoy this concert given by the One More Time Around Again Marching Band The concert is at PGE Park on Friday, June 6 at 7:00 pm. Tickets are General Admission $13 at the gate. You can save some money by buying in advance through Ticketmaster's charge-by-phone at 503-224-4400.

Dragon Boat Race

sillygwailo, Creative Commons

This race is not only fun to watch it is also beautiful. The dragon boats are decorated with both a dragon head and a dragon tail.

This year's race takes place on Saturday, June 7 and Sunday June 8. There will be over 100 entries of local, national, and international teams. If you would like to watch this event, go to the south end of Tom McCall Waterfront Park near the Hawthorne Bridge.

Portland Rose Festival
Fireworks Display

This large fireworks display takes place after dark on the Willamette River on Friday, May 30. The best place to watch is from Tom McCall Waterfront Park. If you watch from the Waterfront Village, admission is $5.00. Outside the village it is free. Get there early.

Tall Sailing Ships

Two tall sailing ships, the Lady Washington and the Hawaiian Chieftain, will be on the Willamette River at Salmon Street on May 29th through June 4.

Get your cameras ready. There will be daily cruises with mock battles and dockside tours.

The following video will give you a good idea of what these beautiful ships are like.

Portland Rose Festival Fleet Week

The arrival of the fleet is always an exciting time during the Rose Festival. People are always asking, "When does the fleet arrive"? They want to know for two reasons: they either want to watch the ships arrive or they don't want to get caught in traffic when the bridges over the Willamette River are raised to let a ship pass.

This year the fleet arrives on Wednesday, June 4th and departs Sunday, June 8th. There will be ships from the United States Navy, the U.S. Coast Guard, and the Canadian Maritime Forces. Tours of the ships are available 9:30 to 4:30 on a first come first serve basis and they are free of charge. Tours may be cancelled with short notice due to the current state of world affairs.

Portland Rose Festival Grand Floral Parade

This spectacular "main event" of the Rose Festival is watched by thousands. Even more watch it on TV.

Jason McHuff, Creative Commons

Beautiful all-flower floats
Horses in all their finery
Marching bands
Bagpipe bands

This year's parade will be on Saturday, June 7th.The parade begins at Memorial Colosium on the east side of the Willamette River at 10:00 am. It then travels across the river and winds its way through the streets of downtown Portland. (See map below.) You need to get to the parade route early not only to get a good spot for watching it but also to avoid the closed off streets and find a parking space.

You can buy tickets for both indoor and outdoor seating at the Memorial Colosium. Indoor and Outdoor reserved seating is $30.00. Outdoor reserved bleachers is $25.00. For tickets go to the Rose Quarter Box Office or go to a participating Safeway. For more information call 877-789-7673.

Map of Parade Route

Portland Rose Festival Junior Parade

The parade for kids to be in and to watch. Lots of fun, lots of music, along with Tillie the cow and Geico Gecko.

The parade starts at 1:00 pm on Wednesday, June 4th in the Hollywood District.

Rose Cup Race

The Rose Cup race has been held for 40 years during the Rose Festival. Three days of races at the Portland International Raceway--Friday, May 30 through Sunday, June 1. The Rose Cup Race will be held on Sunday, June 1 at 1:40 pm.

At the gate tickets are:

3-day general admission $20
Friday general admission $5
Saturday general admission $7
Sunday general admission $10

You can save some money by buying your tickets ahead of time through Ticketmaster's charge-by-phone at 503-224-4400.

The Rose Show

Well, this is the reason for the whole thing. The gorgeous, beautiful rose. This is where you can see the roses entered hoping for the grand prize of "Best Rose". Rose growers from all over the Pacific Northwest, over 2,000 of them, display their best.

The show takes place at the Lloyd Center. The ice rink is set up with the displays.

Show hours are:

Thursday, June 5 1:00 pm to 9:00 pm

Friday, June 6 10:00 am to 6:00 pm

Admission is $3.00.

Portland Rose Festival Starlight Parade

pdxjeff, Creative Commons

The Starlight Parade is an old tradition of the Portland Rose Festival. Held at night and with brightly illuminated floats, bands, and marching groups it is a favorite of many.

This year's parade is on Saturday, May 31 in downtown Portland. The parade begins at 8:30 pm. It will also be televised on KGW Channel 8.

An easy way to get into downtown Portland for Rose Festival activities is the Max Train.

Looking for a place to stay in Portland? See Portland Hotels.

City of Portland Maps