Portland Rose Festival

Schedule of Events

Fleet Week at Tom McCall Waterfront Park

Since 1907, visiting ships have made their way to Portland's waterfront. The City of Roses is known to be a favorite port of call for military (and non-military) visitors, as Portland's citizens thank them and make them feel welcome. The Portland Rose Festival is extremely fortunate to be one of a few U.S. Ports of Call for a courtesy visit from the U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, and Royal Canadian Navy. Their arrival commemorates a relationship with the Navy that has lasted more than 100 years, and over 80 years of visiting Portland during the Rose Festival. It is a significant commitment by the Navy to make Rose Festival Fleet Week one of the premier Fleet Week events in the country.

Tips for ship tours:
Bring your government issued ID
Visitors will pass through an airport-style security screening checkpoint and may be subject to personal search
Visitors must wear closed-toe shoes
Bags, strollers, and wheelchairs are not allowed on board, and there is no 'holding area' for personal items
Do not bring any items on the prohibited items list
Visitors must be physically able to maneuver on board, including climbing narrow ladders

1:00 PM - 3:00 PM: Fred Meyer Junior Parade at Hollywood District

From the moment the lovable Fred Bear cuts the ribbon to kick off the Fred Meyer Junior Parade, fun reigns. Children come from all parts of the city to join in: dressing in costume, transforming wagons into floats, decorating their bikes with colorful flowers, or just parading with their friends and family. Elementary and Middle School marching bands fill the Hollywood District with song, and dance teams add swirls of color to the celebration. No matter how they participate in this pint-size parade, the kids enjoy their moment in the spotlight on Fox 12 Plus live, local television.

Early in the Portland Rose Festival's history there were celebrations of our community's children. In 1918, a group of six kids in the Hollywood District were sorely disappointed that their beloved Rose Festival had to be cancelled due to World War I. So, they decided to hold their own parade - with a procession of two bicycles, a tricycle and an express wagon carrying their own Queen traveling down NE 44th Street. Having been an official Rose Festival event since 1936, the Junior Parade is the nation's oldest and largest children's parade.

Click Here for Parade Route Map

Bloom Tour

Spring has officially sprung in Downtown Portland and Old Town with the first annual Bloom Tour, which features twenty-six stunning large-scale floral installations that are sure to capture attention during Portland's Rose Festival.

The Bloom Tour is part walking tour and part art show with a focus on supporting some of Portland's unique shops, restaurants and hotels. Even the Lan Su Chinese Garden will be hosting a large-scale dragon boat themed floral installation, so follow the tour map and explore them all!  

Running from April 14 to June 30, the Bloom Tour will showcase the work of 19 talented artists and florists who have designed and created these eye-catching art pieces that can be viewed rain or shine. Whether you're a local or a visitor, this is a can't-miss opportunity to explore the city, capture some truly amazing photos and show your support for the Downtown and Old Town communities. Click Here for Bloom Tour Locations

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