Bands

Marching band music is an integral part of every parade! The Portland Rose Festival Foundation is always seeking to connect with marching bands of all types, locally and globally. Read on to learn how your band can get involved with Portland Rose Festival events!

2022 Marching Band Opportunities

After two years of virtual events, the Rose Festival is returning to in-person parades and events in 2022! We are planning for a great lineup of parades, stages and other performance opportunities to ring in the Rose City Reunion!

In addition to the popular CareOregon Starlight Parade and the prestigious Spirit Mountain Casino Grand Floral Parade, we also offer additional performance opportunities at CityFair—a flexible venue appropriate to breakout band, concert band, jazz band and choir performances, openings for which are available on multiple dates & times during the festival. Our 2022 parades and events will take place on the dates listed below:

Starlight Parade, Saturday, June 4, 2022
Grand Floral Parade, Saturday, June 11, 2022
CityFair Performances, various dates and times, May 27-June 12, 2022

The online application has closed for 2022 parades, but you can still apply!

Please contact our Bands Team to apply for special entry into the 2022 Rose Festival parades and band programs!

Portland Rose Festival Parade Band Policy

Welcome Guest Marching Bands for 2022 and Beyond!

The Portland Rose Festival welcomes appearances from out-of-town marching bands at many of our events! If your band is planning a tour, we encourage you to consider the Portland Rose Festival as an exciting performance destination.

A tour during the Portland Rose Festival can include:

Multiple performance opportunities during each festival weekend.
Assistance from a local volunteer band host to help you plan your trip.
Fun festival opportunities to add an element of play to your tour.
Easy access to attractions such as the Oregon Coast, Multnomah Falls and Mt. Hood.

The Portland Rose Festival does not charge a fee to participate in our events, but we do have an application process. Guest Band applications are accepted for up to 3 years prior to the desired festival year. We encourage you to apply early so we can help you plan your trip in advance. For more information about our Band Program, email us: Bands Team.

Guest Band Application

Portland Rose Festival Parade Band Policy

Applications for 2022 - 2024 events from guest bands are currently being accepted.

Guest bands may apply any time of year for Rose Festival parades. In a typical year, parade applications must be received by December of the year prior to the parade in which you wish to participate. Invitations will be issued after the Winter Break for each year’s parades.

Elementary, Middle School and Junior High Bands

The Portland Rose Festival has a parade just for you! The Fred Meyer Junior Parade is open to elementary, middle school and junior high bands. Beginning in 2019, band eligibility is set on a 3 year rotation schedule. Participation form, rotation schedule, and more information about the rotation process is available below.

After 2 years of virtual events, the parade rotation will be adjusted for the Fred Meyer Junior Parade on June 8, 2022. Applications have closed for the 2022 event. Invitations will be issued in January, 2022.

Elementary, Middle School and Junior High Band Participation Forms and Information:

Junior Parade Application Forms will be available for the 2023 event in the fall of 2022.

3 Year Rotation Schedule (beginning again in 2023)

Junior Parade Band Rotation Memo

For more information about adding your band to the Junior Parade band rotation, please email our Bands Team.