The Fleet Sets Anchor, a Queen Rises and OBF extends its stay at CityFair
After two great weeks of fun in the sun, the Rose Festival is set for a big sendoff. After hearing the calls for an encore, the Festival - in partnership with the Oregon Brewers Festival - is extending the Tap Takeover through the final weekend at CityFair. The big ships are in transit, the Court is completing their diplomatic tour, the Dragons are awake, and the Grand floats are getting their final touch-ups. The Festival is firmly fitted for the final Focus on Fun weekend.
On Friday, June 9, as the 133 year old Portland Rose Society opens their annual display at the Lloyd Center at 11:00 a.m. The oldest and largest Rose Show in the United States is FREE to the public. At 11:30 a.m. and two blocks over, the Queen’s Coronation presented by Unitus Community Credit Union will introduce the 101st Queen to wear the traditional Crown of Rosaria at Oregon Square, located at NE 8th and Holladay Street.
On the waterfront, Fleet Week presented by Subaru will open tours for visitors at 9:00 a.m. with options to visit ships from the U.S. Navy, the U.S. Coast Guard, and the Canadian Navy. Fleet Week tours last through Sunday. All ships are scheduled to depart Monday morning. For tour times and access information, check this website.
CityFair’s gates open for food and entertainment at 12 noon, Friday, June 9, for another fun in the sun weekend of Funtastic Carnival rides, delicious food carts, and the best selection of beers to ever appear at CityFair!
The Oregon Brewers Festival returns for a second weekend of the OBF Tap Takeover, thanks to the support of Travel Oregon. The OBF Tap Takeover activities are FREE with CityFair admission. Fans can buy a mug, and pour for $12, and each additional pour for $7. CityFair at Governor Tom McCall Waterfront Park, is open Friday through Sunday, 12:00 noon to 9:00 p.m. CityFair admission is $15.
Saturday, June 10, at 10:00 a.m., the Grand Floral Parade, led by Grand Marshals, WWII Rosie The Riveters, steps off from Veterans Memorial Coliseum.
"It's a thrill to honor these women who took on nontraditional roles in the service of this country well before I was born. They are a continual inspiration to me in my own career, especially now as Rose Festival's first female CEO," said Marilyn Clint, Portland Rose Festival, Chief Executive Officer.
The parade will travel the same 2-mile path on the east side of the river as it did in 2022. Parade fans should plan on staking out their spots on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and NE Lloyd Boulevard, as the parade makes it way to the Lloyd Center. Tickets are available for climate-controlled reserved seating inside Veterans Memorial Coliseum at this website.
Saturday and Sunday, fans can catch the classic Rose Festival Dragon Boat Race, at the bowl area of Waterfront Park. The ornate and traditional dragon boats race for the flag on the Willamette River between the Hawthorne and Marquam Bridges. The race viewing is FREE to the public.
Sunday, “That’s a Wrap!” The International Youth Silent Film Festival holds it’s international awards ceremony at the Hollywood Theatre, 4122 NE Sandy Boulevard, 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Featuring short silent films created by young artists from around the world, including a submission from 2023 Rose Festival Princess Jolynn Ta and her Parkrose High School teammates. See the winners as they ride in the Grand Floral Parade Saturday!