Rose Festival now City Fair

It used to be The Portland Rose Festival and you never had to pay to enter, the only money you used to have to shell out was for the rides or food. That's all changed.

I don't know when the name changed and I'm not sure I like it. But I do like seeing the rides and bright lights every June and all the activities are so much fun. Nighttime parades and fireworks, milk carton boat race, Saturday morning is the Grand Floral Parade and Junior Rose Festival parade, not to mention the Starlight Run, and so many other great family activities during June.

It's a great month filled with lots of fun thanks to the festival.

Rose Festival-Ever Wanted to Become a Princess - How About a Queen

This is Rose Festival season in our city. It was voted the best festival in the World in 2007 by the International Festivals & Events Association (IFEA).

During the celebration, there are three Parades: the Junior Rose Festival Parade, The Starlight Parade, and the Grand Floral Parade. The Grand Floral is one of two all-floral parades and begins at 10:00 a.m.at the Memorial Coliseum and weaves its way around the downtown city streets.

The Rose Festival has been an annual event here in PO for over 100 years. And the Royal Rosarians have learned a lot over the years.

It begins when the City selects a Court of Rose Festival Princesses. So any girl attending one of the local high schools can actually become the Queen of the Court.

Every high school selects their own court, and a Rose Festival Ambassador (or Princess) is selected to represent her school. From all the ambassadors a Queen is selected to Rule over the Festival-it is a young woman's dream come true. And to top off the journey, the Queen also receives a scholarship for college.

This is a celebration of many things but one thing Portland is famous for is being the City of Roses.

But this is more than a celebration of flowers. It is also a festival of floats. The Grand Floral Parade is June 6, 2009. This is a festival of ships and a festival of fun. There are carnival rides and games along with craft displays and exhibitions of talent. But, I've only begun to describe the fun to be had and the food to be tasted - like corn dogs and cotton candy.

This weekend is the end of Fleet Week here in Portland, Oregon. So, if you're anywhere near Portland this weekend, come down to the waterfront and check it out.