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This year the lovable Fred Bear will make a special appearance as he cuts the ribbon that commences the Fred Meyer Junior Parade! Fred will be joined by other popular mascots, including the Loaf Love Tour Bus.
The 2011 Fred Meyer Junior Parade Grand Marshal is Scooby Doo. (He's the snack-loving dog who has a keen sense for problem-solving with his best friend, Shaggy -- and the Mystery Machine gang.) Scooby Doo joins the parade this year courtesy of Comcast and Cartoon Network.
Approximately 30 marching bands from elementary and middle schools in the greater Portland/Vancouver metro area will fill the Hollywood District with music.
Bands, school groups, scout troops, children's organizations, youth clubs, dance teams and families join in the parade. For many years, the parade featured members of the Junior Court. Today, children dress in costume, build colorful floats towed on wagons, or ride on bikes decorated with flowers, crepe paper, streamers and balloons—some of them future court members themselves!
From the very beginning, the Portland Rose Festival has celebrated our community's children. Portland's very first Rose Festival in 1907 included a children's parade of 2000 boys and girls representing 23 schools! In 1936, the Junior Parade became an official Rose Festival event. Since that time, the parade has become a beloved tradition for many Portland families.
Here's how you can be a part of the oldest and largest children's parade in the nation:
- Be in the parade! Children middle school age and younger (and their chaperones!) are welcome to march in the parade. For parade rules and information, visit Join the Parade.
- Cheer the parade! Find a spot on the sidewalk and enjoy. The parade begins at 1:00 p.m. in the Hollywood District of NE Portland, along Sandy BLVD. Parking can be difficult, so plan ahead or take public transit.
