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Starlight Parade

CareOregon Starlight Parade

Date: June 03, 2023
Time: 8:00 PM - 10:00 PM

DETAILS

Location(s): 
Applications for the 2024 CareOregon Starlight Parade will be available in January 2024. If you would like to be added to our Starlight Parade mailing list, please email info@rosefestival.org

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A Twinkling, Summer Night Downtown

The CareOregon Starlight Parade is the one of the Rose Festival's most popular events offering electrified funky fun for everyone. From traditional marching bands and flood-lit floats, to glow-in-the-dark umbrellas and unique hand-built entries, you’ll see representation from Portland’s diverse community groups (and the surrounding Pacific Northwest region), creating a vibe like no other on Portland's downtown streets. Events like the Starlight Parade are essential to a vibrant and healthy community.

The Starlight Parade continues a longtime festival tradition from the early 1900s, when illuminated floats built on electric trolley cars made their way through the city on trolley tracks. Today, participants light up the night with approximately 100 illuminated entries drawing hundreds of thousands of spectators to downtown Portland. Don’t miss the fun of one of the Rose Festival’s best and brightest traditions!

2023 Parade Entry Award Winners

FOR FLOATS:


Sweepstakes Award - Best Illumination

Nob Hill Christmas

The Darcelle Portlandia Award - Non-Commercial

Marysville Strawberry Festival

The Darcelle Portlandia Award - Commercial

CareOregon

FOR MARCHING GROUPS:


Diane Millemann Spirit of Starlight Award

Alaska Airlines Drill Team


2023 Grand Marshal: Poison Waters

Poison Waters - headliner and hostess at Darcelle XV Showplace since the early 1990’s - is the 2023 CareOregon Starlight Parade Grand Marshal. Waters, AKA Kevin Cook, one of Portland’s most popular and well known drag performers, has been a community activist since 1988, and reacted to the invitation by saying, “moving to Portland as a child in 1979 when money was all but nonexistent, and trying to figure out who I would become, was super scary. The Portland Rose Festival brought me such joy! Being in marching band allowed me to participate in the Fred Meyer Junior Parade, the Starlight Parade and the Grand Floral Parade, and I have such fond memories of being a part of something so fabulous! Thank you for choosing me to be this year’s Grand Marshal for the CareOregon Starlight Parade! I CAN’T WAIT!”


Ways to Watch

From the Street

Get in on the in-person illuminated action for free with a city street spot! The Starlight Parade travels through downtown Portland and ends at Lincoln High School. View the Route Map below and find your favorite spot!
PRO TIP: VIsit CityFair, then step out to Naito Parkway to watch the parade, right where it starts!

From Your Couch

A special thank to our partners and friends at KPTV FOX 12 Oregon for broadcasting the Starlight Parade live - the telecast begins at 8:30 p.m.



Care Oregon
SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR PREMIER SPONSORS
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