Portland Rose Festival

The Grand Floral and Starlight Parades are combining into a new cornerstone event of the annual Portland Rose Festival!

This newly reimagined parade brings together the pageantry of the Grand Floral Parade with the energy and excitement of the Starlight Parade into one unforgettable celebration. By combining these iconic events, the Rose Festival is creating a single, dynamic parade experience that honors tradition while embracing creativity, community, and innovation.

To preserve the distinct character of each parade, the event will unfold in two phases. The Grand Floral portion will step off at 6:30 pm, featuring floral floats, marching bands, equestrian units, and community groups in daylight. Later in the evening, as darkness falls, the Starlight portion will step off at about 8:00 pm, showcasing illuminated floats, lighting effects, and nighttime spectacle. The two portions will run sequentially allowing each to shine in its own way.

With the combining of the parades not all applications will be accepted in 2026. Due to timing constraints we will only able to host a maximum of 120 entries including bands and floats.

ENTRY TYPES

FLOATS: Includes professionally-built and self-built, self-propelled and towed mobile decorated parade entries
MARCHING: All walking groups, including drill teams, drumlines, dancing groups and non-high school bands
SPECIAL: Vehicle entries not characterized under "Float"

*Non-profit and community organizations can have their entry fee waived by providing 4 volunteers to assist with barricades for either Junior Parade (May 30th) or The Grand Floral Starlight Parade (June 6th). More information will be provided in the acceptance letters.

Applications are due no later than Friday, April 3, 2026.

Application Requirements

All entries must include:

Completed application form
Photo, sketch, or artist's rendering of the parade entry
Entry Fee submitted prior to script and insurance deadline, May 15, 2026

Organization/Company/Group Name

(as it should appear in parade line-up)

First Name

Last Name

Email Address

Sign me up for email updates

Address Line 1

Address Line 2

City

State

Postal Code

Phone Number

Cell Phone for parade day contact

Preferred Parade Location

This is NOT Guaranteed

Entry Information

Entry Category Fee

Non-Profit / Community Entry: $300*
Commercial Entry: Customized fees, $1000 minimum

Non-Profit / Community Entry: $300*

Commercial Entry: Customized fees, $1000 minimum

Entry Type Can Only Select One

Float - Self-built, professionally-built, towed, and/or self-propelled decorated entries
Marching Group - All groups on foot including drill teams, drumlines, marching groups, non-high school bands
Special - Vehicle entry not characterized under "float"

Float - Self-built, professionally-built, towed, and/or self-propelled decorated entries

Marching Group - All groups on foot including drill teams, drumlines, marching groups, non-high school bands

Special - Vehicle entry not characterized under "float"

Please describe your entry design, including what makes your entry entertaining!

(What types of costumes, decorations, music, etc)

Due to limited parade space, applicants are encouraged to be thorough and creative with parade entry design and include floral and illumination descriptions. Not all entries will be accepted.

Please Upload a photo, sketch, or artist's rendering of your entry send additional images: haleyl@rosefestival.org

Music/Noise (maximum 75 decibels)

Please check all that apply

Live Band
Recorded Music
Public Address/Microphone
None - no amplified sound

Live Band

Recorded Music

Public Address/Microphone

None - no amplified sound

City noise ordinances require all units be no louder than 75 decibels. At no time are honking, bells, whistles, sirens or airhorns permitted. Units may be asked to reduce volume of PA systems

Floats & Special Entries

Length of Unit, including tow rig - note: may not exceed 75 feet

(if Marching Unit only entry - enter n/a)

Number of Outwalkers- Floats/Special Entries

Up to 12 max. (if Marching Unit only - enter n/a)

Accepted floats/misc. units must provide a certificate of insurance with no less than $2,000,000 aggregate for General Liability covering bodily injury, death and property damage to any number of persons or property in any one occurrence, and $1,000,000 for Auto Liability (for parade entrant with street legal vehicle). The certificate shall name CareOregon, KATU, Alaska Airlines, Portland Rose Festival Foundation, City of Portland, all sponsoring organizations and their officers, directors, employees and agents as additional insured. Insurance certificates must be submitted by May 15, 2026.

Marching Entries

Number of participants (up to 50, unless otherwise approved)

if Float or Special entry - enter n/a

Marching units must sign and return a waiver by May 15, 2026, that indemnifies CareOregon, KATU, Alaska Airlines, Portland Rose Festival Foundation, City of Portland, all sponsoring organizations and their officers, directors, employees and agents.

I have read and agree to Rules & Regulations for all entry types.
(please read rules carefully before submitting) *

Liability Release & Agreement

Application is hereby made for entry in the CareOregon Grand Floral Starlight Parade, June 6, 2026. The entry agrees to indemnify, hold harmless and defend against any action against CareOregon, KATU, Alaska Airlines, Portland Rose Festival Foundation, City of Portland, all sponsoring organizations and their officers, directors, employees and agents. Entrant agrees to comply with the rules of the CareOregon Grand Floral Starlight Parade as listed in this form or additional rules deemed necessary for the safe conduct of the CareOregon Grand Floral Starlight Parade and related activities. Failure to comply may cause denial of entry on parade day or jeopardize future parade participation. PROOF OF INSURANCE WILL BE REQUIRED IF APPLICATION IS ACCEPTED.

I agree to the Liability Release & Agreement
*

Applications are due no later than Friday, April 3, 2026.

REMINDER - FEES
The Minimum Entry Fee must be paid once you have been notified of acceptance. Please make checks payable to Portland Rose Festival Foundation (or PRFF for short) and mail to Grand Floral Starlight Parade, Portland Rose Festival, 1020 SW Naito Pkwy, Portland, OR 97204. You may call the Rose Festival Office at 503.227.2681 to pay by credit card.

ENTRY CATEGORIES & FEES
If you are unsure of your category, please email us or call (503)-227-2681 to find out more.

CORPORATE ENTRY: Customized fees, $1,000 minimum. local, national and international corporate organizations or businesses.
NON-PROFIT / COMMUNITY ENTRY: $300 OR providing 4 volunteers to assist with barricades for either Junior Parade (May 30th) or The Grand Floral Starlight Parade (June 6th).

2026 CareOregon Grand Floral Starlight Parade Application

Application Requirements

Entry Information

Floats & Special Entries

Marching Entries