The Portland Rose Festival’s Grand Floral Parade kicked off Saturday morning under bright sunshine, attracting throngs of attendees eager to celebrate the city’s vibrant spirit.
Downtown Portland was alive with energy as thousands lined the streets, turning out for a day of festivities. Families spread out chairs, blankets, and even set up canopies filled with food to enjoy the parade.
The return of the parade to the heart of downtown symbolizes the ongoing recovery of the city center, much to the delight of locals.
Participating in the festivities was Amy Harris, a 52-year-old resident who has attended the festival every year since returning to Portland six years ago. She reminisced about her childhood experiences at the parade and emphasized the significance of the downtown location.
“I think it’s where the parade belongs,” Harris remarked. “When it was on the east side, the route was great, but there are not the same small businesses over there to frequent like retail and restaurants and stuff. I am really happy to be down here today.”
The celebration commenced shortly after 10 a.m., where the Rose Festival’s “Clown Prince” officiated a unique wedding ceremony for Jasmine Murphy and David Hakimoglu, onlookers cheering as confetti filled the air.
The couple exchanged vows near a heart-shaped float, a romantic backdrop for their special moment, before boarding a trolley decorated with flowers and the words “just married.”
Leading the parade—at least ceremonially—was Tula-Tu, the Oregon Zoo’s baby elephant, who served as the grand marshal. Alaska Airlines contributed a float featuring an oversized, colorful depiction of Tula-Tu.
This year’s event showcased a diverse array of floats, marching bands, and vintage cars, along with cultural dance groups like the Panama Folklore from Seattle, which performed in traditional Panamanian attire.
Other performances included the Teva Oriata Polynesian Dance Troupe and Orgullo Morelense Cemaic, reviving dances that date back to Mexican carnivals of the 1870s. The Vietnamese Community of Oregon also wowed spectators with traditional dances, enriching the cultural tapestry of the parade.
The parade provided an opportunity for familiar public figures to engage with the community. Mayor Keith Wilson, Multnomah County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson, and 2025 Oregon Teacher of the Year Bryan Butcher Jr. were all present, riding in Portland Rose Society cars.
During the parade, occasional pauses allowed MAX trains and buses to pass, creating brief lulls in the action. These breaks allowed spectators to interact with parade participants and appreciate the floats and performances.
Emily Hastings, a 33-year-old who has celebrated the parade almost every year since childhood, noted visible changes over recent years. She observed fewer floats and a shorter route but expressed her eagerness to carry on the cherished tradition.
“I hope future generations will get to enjoy it as well,” Hastings added, reflecting on the intergenerational appeal of the event.
Young couple Katie and TJ Tran from Fargo, South Dakota, mentioned that they planned their entire trip to Oregon around the parade. They were particularly excited to see the floral arrangements and the lush greenery downtown.
“When I started researching Oregon, the Rose Festival came up, so we planned our trip around it. I really like all the plants,” Tran said.
Local business owners also voiced hopes for the parade’s potential economic impact. Many felt optimistic about the event’s return to downtown after a three-year stretch on the east side due to the pandemic.
Retail foot traffic in downtown Portland showed a slight increase in 2024, although the overall numbers remain down by 36% compared to 2019, as reported by The Oregonian/OregonLive.
Oregon Governor Tina Kotek has promised efforts to restore pre-pandemic foot traffic levels by 2030, a goal welcomed by local merchants.
Marcus Nettles, co-owner of Drip Drop Coffee on Southwest Fourth Avenue, shared his enthusiasm ahead of the parade.
“I think that it’s going to be good for us,” Nettles, 44, said. “More people who aren’t typically downtown will probably be down here looking at the parade. Maybe they’ll see our spot, and then maybe they’ll love it and come back. So that’s great.”
Meanwhile, Joseph Loftgren, manager of The Independent Sports Bar & Grill on Southwest Broadway, expressed a more cautious optimism. While he noted that some customers fit the “one and done” category from previous parades, he believed any boost in attendance would benefit local businesses.
“I think bringing any sort of amount of people down here is good not just for business but for the business environment as a whole,” remarked Loftgren, 29.
Florist Kelley Birkinbine of Bentley Fleurs was eager to participate in the festivities, having crafted the coronation bouquet for Queen Ava, highlighting the deep-rooted connection to the city’s identity as the City of Roses.
“We are the City of Roses,” Birkinbine said, “so having it go through the heart of downtown just seems right and good and proper.”
image source from：https://www.oregonlive.com/portland/2025/06/grand-floral-parade-shines-bright-in-downtown-portland.html
