Join us as the Portland Rose Festival creates a new community tradition at Waterfront Village. On Memorial Day weekend, celebrate our American spirit and tradition of community pride and service, as we honor local and national heroes who have given so much for our freedom. Join the festivities on Monday -- including our people's parade, patriotic songs, guest speakers, marching band music, special memorial services, and other exciting displays showcasing our collective patriotic spirit!
Look for a 21-gun salute, National Guard Fly-over and appearances from the Patriot Guard Riders, the Portland Police Highland Guard pipe band and Abe Lincoln himself! This event has received official sanctioning from the Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs!
Don't miss the BI-MART Remembrance Concert featuring Amy Clawson on Memorial Day at 4:00 p.m. on the Dex World Rhythms Stage! Country artist Amy Clawson has been an accomplished performer for most of her life, recording with Sawyer Brown at age 14 in Nashville. Amy has opened for or performed with many artists, including Martina McBride, Toby Keith, Phil Vassar, David Frizzell, Lee Ann Womack and Montgomery Gentry.
** All current and former United States military and their families receive free admission (with proof of service) to Waterfront Village thanks to TriWest Healthcare Alliance starting Friday, May 22 through Monday, May 25.
Partial Schedule of Events
- Danner Memorial Day March: 1:30 p.m.
- TriWest Healthcare Alliance Memorial Day Commemoration Ceremony: 2:15 p.m.
- White House Endorsed Moment of Remembrance: 3:00 p.m.
- BI-MART Remembrance Concert featuring Amy Clawson: 4:00 p.m.
Be sure to be there for the Danner Memorial Day March and TriWest Healthcare Alliance Memorial Day Commemoration Ceremony -- and to sign the Danner Tribute Wall!
To be involved in our March, please see the document below for more information. All uniformed soldiers, bands, historical re-enactors, veterans, active military and families of veterans/active military/fallen heroes are encouraged to participate.
Please see the documents below for more information, the schedule and an application for participation.
Please see the following:
(Note: These documents are in .pdf format.)
Do you need Adobe Reader? It's free!
FAQ Letter
Application
Schedule
For more information, contact Laura Mears: lauram@rosefestival.org
Abraham Lincoln Finally Makes it to Oregon
In 1849 Abraham Lincoln turned down a White House appointment as Territorial Governor of Oregon. He chose to stay in Springfield, and the rest is history! A dozen years later he was the 16th President of the United States.
Be at Waterfront Park when Oregon welcomes Abe to town at the state's newest and largest Memorial Day celebration, and hear him deliver his seminal speech, the Gettysberg Address.
Transcript of the Abraham Lincoln letter (pictured above):
Fremont, Illinois, Sept. 23, 1849
Hon. T. Ewing, Secretary H.
Dear Sir:
Your dispatch of the 20th announcing my appointment as Governor of Oregon is just received, having reached Springfield in my absence, and been forwarded to me here by mail. I have just written a friend in Springfield to answer you by telegraph that I decline the opportunity, which I suppose will reach you long before this will. May I request you to express my gratitude to the President for these repeated evidences of his kindness and confidence?
Your Ob. Servt,
A. Lincoln
