2025 Junior Parade Marching Band Application Form

Come celebrate with us at the Fred Meyer Junior Parade on Wednesday, June 4, 2025. An official Rose Festival event since 1930's - the Junior Parade is the nation's oldest and largest children's parade. Today it continues to offer children a chance to celebrate their talents and have their turn in the spotlight.

The Junior Parade is accepting applications from elementary school, middle school, and junior high bands to march in the parade. Due to the high volume of eligible band programs, Junior Parade band applications are accepted on a 3-year band rotation schedule. The Rose Festival’s band committee will invite approximately 25 bands to march in the Fred Meyer Junior Parade on June 4, 2025. If you do not see your school on the rotation schedule, or if your band is from outside the Greater Portland Metro region, please contact the Rose Festival office for more information on how to apply.

If you would like to march in the 2025 parade, please submit the form below by November 15, 2024. We will send acceptance letters via e-mail by December 13, 2024. To avoid any misunderstandings, regardless of your rotation assignment, please do not publicize your participation in any Rose Festival events to parents or students until official invitations have been issued. Once you receive an invitation, we encourage you to make transportation arrangements early to ensure smooth logistics on parade day.

If you have any questions, please contact the Bands program manager at the Rose Festival office.

Thank you for your continued involvement in the Portland Rose Festival! We look forward to working with you and your students to bring music and celebration to the streets of Portland!

Contact Information

First Name

Last Name

Email Address

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School Name

Address Line 1

School Mailing Address

Address Line 2

City

State

Postal Code

Phone Number

Cell Phone for Band Director

School Phone

Band Information

Band Name

(school name if no band name)

Band Director Name

Number of Musicians

Number of Band Buses

Number of Staff Members

Number of Dance/Drill/Flag

Number of Cheerleaders

Number of Banner Carriers

Please provide details about your band below:

(recent awards, honors, appearances, parades, etc)

Judging Information

All bands have the option to select performance based or non-competitive judging rubrics.

Please mark your judging preference below.

Please upload a Color Photo of Band in Uniform (or email photo to jessicam@rosefestival.org)

Please include any additional information you'd like to share with the Band Committee below:

PORTLAND ROSE FESTIVAL PARADE BAND POLICY - Junior Parade

UNIFORM

Elementary, middle or junior high school bands do not have to wear traditional band uniforms. They are encouraged to dress in a uniform fashion, i.e. same color shirts, pants, shoes, etc. Completely disorganized dress is discouraged.

Outwalkers with a parade unit need to be uniform in their appearance. Parents or students carrying water, supplies, or equipment need to wear coordinated clothing, i.e. same color shirts, pants, shoes, etc. Please note: outwalkers/parents/etc. should also plan to walk in line or formation, to improve the appearance of the entry.

Band judging includes appearance, so you can increase your general effect scores by having your entire parade entry look as sharp as possible.

FORMATION

There must not be any playing or marching in the formation area. Warm-up is permitted. Important radio communication to coordinate the parade takes place in this area and is adversely affected by band play. Please do not play until you step off in the parade proper.

WARM-UP

A brief warm-up is allowed prior to entering the parade route. The warm-up is defined as pianissimo long tones, tuning, a scale, a short chorale or similar exercise. It is not playing a tune.The band must face away from the parade entry location during its warm-up, and designated warm-up areas must be observed. Percussion sections must follow the same warm-up rule with quiet exercise.

Pacing on the parade route is intended to be 50-60 feet from the unit ahead of you (approximately 1/2 block). Unless otherwise directed, you must maintain forward motion (no counter marching, side steps, etc.) and not allow gaps beyond the 60 feet. (Some exceptions apply for approved TV area performances).

Playing on the route is required at the band judging area and at the television locations. People lining the parade route want you to play the entire time. We know that is impossible, but try to entertain as many people as possible.

You represent your school and your community and perform before thousands of people at the Rose Festival parades.If you adhere to these rules carefully, you will increase your judging scores, the formation officials will be your friends, and you will have a highly successful experience.

JUNIOR PARADE ARRIVALS

Accepted Junior Parade bands will be scheduled to arrive at an assigned time between 11:15 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. (Parade start is 1 p.m.) in Portland's Hollywood District. Depending on your line-up number, your band will complete the parade between 2 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. The Rose Festival will send specific band instructions, as well as your line-up number and your scheduled arrival time, in early May.

If, after signing up, your school decides not to participate in this year’s Junior Parade, please contact the Rose Festival office as soon as possible to let us know, so that we can fill in someone from the waiting list.

I have read and agree to the Rose Festival band policy.

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