• Search
Skip Navigation LinksEvents > Parades > Junior Parade

Junior Parade

DETAILS

Junior Parade

Date: May 30, 2026
Time: 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Location(s): 

Road Closures

Click the link to find road closures impacting the neighborhood.

Live Stream

REGISTER/PARTICIPATE


2026 Community Entries:

Entries closed as of May 1.

2026 Dance/Drill/Baton Groups:
Entries closed as of May 1.

SHARE THIS EVENT

Fun reigns at the Fred Meyer Junior Parade from the moment the lovable Fred Bear cuts the ribbon to the last float that goes down the street. Children from all parts of Portland participate by dressing in costume, transforming wagons into floats, decorating bikes with colorful flowers, or just parading with friends and family.

Elementary and Middle School marching bands fill the Hollywood District with song, and dance teams add swirls of color to the celebration. Regardless of how you participate in this pint-sized parade, the kids of Portland enjoy their moment in the spotlight on KUNP.

Celebrating our community’s children started early in the history of the Portland Rose Festival. In 1918, six kids in the Hollywood District were sorely disappointed about the cancellation of their beloved Rose Festival due to World War I. So, they decided to hold their own parade!

With a procession of two bicycles, one tricycle, and an express wagon carrying their own Queen down NE 44th Street, the first version of the Junior Parade began. Having been an official Rose Festival event since 1936, the Junior Parade is the oldest and largest Children’s Parade in the Nation.

Ways to Participate

1 of 3

This parade is for kids! Get Creative, Dress Up, Build a Float!

Families and Groups

The Portland Rose Festival invites all families and groups to create kid-centric entries for the Fred Meyer Junior Parade on Saturday, May 30th. Entries can include community groups, affinity groups, small businesses, dance teams, sports teams, and more. Join the festivities by forming a walking group, decorating non-motorized vehicles, and hand-crafting floats for the big parade.

Community Entries

Formal applications have been closed but you can also show up on parade day at NE 52nd & Sandy Blvd to march in the parade as a walk-on entry — visit the Entry Check-In tent at NE 52nd and Sacramento to register your group and receive a spot in the formation area.

While you're there, visit the Decoration Station, presented by Visit Seaside Oregon, to get FREE materials to decorate your bike, wagon, scooter, umbrella, or yourself!

Quick Tip: Give yourself plenty of time. Arrive at least more than an hour before the 12:00 parade start-time.

Dance, Drill, and Baton Teams

This is your chance to shine and show off your moves down Sandy Boulevard as you join the action on parade day.


Ways to Watch

From the Street

The Junior Parade begins at Sandy Blvd and NE 52nd Ave at 12:00 p.m. It then travels down the one-mile parade route on Sandy Blvd, then turns North onto NE 40th Ave, then West onto NE Tillamook, and ends at Grant High School.

From Your Couch

A special thank to our partners and friends at KUNP for broadcasting the 2026 Fred Meyer Junior Parade live - check back in May for broadcast time & details.

2026 Marching Band Parade Awards


Sweepstakes Award - Best Embodiment of Theme

Meadow Park Middle School


Gold Standard

Alice Ott Middle School, Portland, OR
Chief Umtuch Middle School, Battle Ground, WA
Covington Middle School, Vancouver, WA
Discovery Middle School, Vancouver, WA
Evergreen Middle School, Hillsboro, OR
Jason Lee Middle School, Vancouver, WA
Meadow Park Middle School, Beaverton, OR
Tumwater Middle School, Portland, OR
Voyager Middle School, Everett, WA


Parade Route Map


Rose Festival Oregon Heritage Tradition Since 1907
Copyright ©2026, Portland Rose Festival Foundation. All Rights Reserved.
Powered by
Back to
Top