City of Roses: Rose Festival 2019

A rose in my neighborhood, photo taken 5.23.19

One of my favorite things about Portland is the Rose Festival! This year I want to watch the Starlight Parade, the Junior Rose Parade, and the International Test Garden. I have yet, in the 11 years I’ve lived in PDX, to attend the Grand Floral Parade. Now I’m holding out until Ramona and Daphne are old enough to go and watch the whole thing! Maybe 2 more years? We have participated in the Junior Parade with Hike it Baby for the last 4 years, this year we are going to actually watch and enjoy it! Here are a few important dates, and let me know what you like about the Rose Festival!

Starlight Parade, Downtown Portland: Friday June 1st, 8:30pm- you don’t have to save seats, just show up as the close the roads down and put up your chairs in the intersections. Just before the parade is the run, and the costumes are great!

Junior Rose Parade: Hollywood, NE PDX, Wednesday June 5th 1pm: This one is so cute! Kids groups, middle school marching bands, very short and silly parade, best for the pre-K and early elementary school crowd.

Grand Floral Parade: Memorial Coliseum, down MLK BLVD, Downtown, Saturday June 8th, 10am-2pm: You can buy tickets and reserve seats, or start staking out your spot days in advance! See all the princesses, the best marching bands, and of course, the floats completely covered in flowers. I really should go to this sometime, it sounds great!

International Rose Test Garden, Washington Park: This is one of my absolute favorite places in Portland. Take a picnic, and spend a few hours smelling the roses. Seriously, now through the end of June, GO!