The Royal Rosarians -- a unique organization separate from the Portland Rose Festival Foundation -- serve as Portland's official greeters and ambassadors by charter from the Mayor's office. They march alongside the bands and floats in the KeyBank Grand Floral Parade and produce several events throughout the year and during the Rose Festival, including the well-known Royal Rosarian Knighting Ceremony. They organize the Rose Festival Blessing & Memorial Service that occurs annual prior to Rose Festival.
In 1911, 70-some Portland business and civic leaders went as official delegates to Seattle's Golden Potlatch Festival. After returning to Portland, they formed an organization to greet important visiting guests and share goodwill throughout the region. The following year (1912), 100 newly organized Royal Rosarians made their first appearance dressed in white suits, straw hats and white accessories, the well-known outfit still worn today.
In 1913, a group of Rosarians traveled by train to Los Angeles bearing greetings to cities along the way, ending up in Pasadena for the 1914 Tournament of Roses. That trip created a tradition of Rosarians traveling to festivals throughout the United States and the world, including planting roses at Buckingham Palace and knighting mayors in Sapporo (Japan), Munich (Germany) and Guadalajara (Mexico).
In 1989, the Royal Rosarians expanded their membership by admitting women to their ranks for the first time in history, naming them Dames of the Realm. In 2010, the Rosarians welcomed their first female Prime Minister, Sue Klobertanz. Sue and Sir Larry will lead fellow Rosarians in many parades and festivals throughout the Northwest.
Rosarians do much more than march in parades and present roses to royalty and distinguished guests. They host a formal VIP Ball social event for outside guests and bid them farewell at a Sunday morning brunch. For several years, the Rosarians have produced an event in March called the Newsmakers of the Year Banquet, which highlights local newsmakers and 'heroes' selected by several media outlets. In 2010 the Rosarians are sponsoring a float in the KeyBank Grand Floral Parade that features members of former Rose Festival courts. They've also built their own traveling float that will appear in parades and events around Oregon and the Northwest -- a large contingent of Rosarian marchers will appear in the Westward Ho Parade during this year's Centennial Pendleton Round-Up.
The Rosarians hold an annual fund raising auction to help raise funds for their many civic projects. In 2010 they're helping support the Rose Festival's Living History Program.
The Rosarians are actively planning several special events and programs for their own Centennial celebration in 2012, including the installation of a new statue in Washington Park, a life-size Rosarian!
For more information about the Royal Rosarians –- including a calendar of events, newsletters and photos –- visit their website: royalrosarians.org
