Calling Any and ALL Creative Types –
Artists, Class Clowns, Acrobats, Musicians, jugglers,
Animal Trainers & Wannabe Entertainers:
The Portland Rose Festival wants you to join the wackiest group
of people in Portland!
APPLICATION DEADLINE : February 29, 2024
After 16 years of clowning around in the City of Portland, the Rose Festival Clowns are looking
for more people to join the team of the silly, zany and wacky merrymakers.
It's Rose Festival fun during its three-week run of the festival that starts on Memorial Weekend.
This is close enough to home that you can also keep that day job while living out the age-old
fantasy of running away to join the circus!
We will be holding auditions in March for a lucky few to become one of Rose Festival Clowns.
You do not need to have skills to become a clown; all you need is to have a heart as big as all
outdoors.
Accepted applicants must participate in a 2-day clown workshop on April 13 & 14, 2024. You
will receive a makeup kit, clown nose and clothing to make a costume. You will learn a variety
of circus and theater skills from Angel Ocasio (our boss clown and festival mascot, the Clown
Prince). You will also learn from experienced Rose Festival Clowns. If you complete the
workshop in good standing, you will participate in parades and other special Rose Festival
events spreading your special blend of love and laughter to the Rose Festival and the local
community. Named one of the Best Educational Programs in the World for festivals and events
by International Festivals and Events Association, the Rose Festival Clowns has become one
of the favorite Rose Festival features. It's been a hit since its inception!
The Portland Rose Festival is committed to following local, state, and federal recommendations and guidelines regarding public health and safety for gathering safely.
The Portland Rose Festival Foundation is committed to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion by producing safe, welcoming, and inclusive events that celebrate the diversity of our city and state and will continually evaluate its practices and decisions using an equity lens.
APPLICATION
1. The Rose Festival Clowns is open to aspiring performers ages 13 and up.
2. A Rose Festival panel will select participants based on application materials, as well as a casual interview
and audition piece (tell a joke, do a magic trick, play a musical instrument. Do you play a kazoo, juggle or
spin a yo-yo? Think outside of the box or play in a box, just be creative.
• Interview/Auditions will be held on Wednesday, March 13, 2024 (By Appointment Only)
• Application must be received by February 29, 2024
3. Parent or guardian permission is required for minors to participate (ages 13-17).
A. Applicants 18 and over will undergo a background check (after auditions).
B. Rose Festival Clowns pay an additional $40.00 fee to cover their makeup, noses, costumes, and
additional training. ($20.00 for Clowns under 18 years of age.)
C. Participants must be available for the following dates:
• April 13 - 14 - Clown Weekend Workshop (Saturday & Sunday 9:00am-5:00pm). Location TBD.
• June 1 – CareOregon Starlight Parade (7:30pm)
• June 8 - Spirit Mountain Casino Grand Floral Parade (10:00am)
(Includes pre-show entertainment starting at 8:00am)
D. The following events are optional:
• April 27 - 82nd Avenue of Roses Parade (9:30 am)
• May 11 - St. Johns Parade (12:00 noon)
• May 24 - Opening of CityFair (5:00pm)
• June 5 - Fred Meyer Junior Parade (1:00pm)
NOTE: All events dates subject to CHANGE