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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!


2024 Marching Band Opportunities

The Portland Rose Festival is planning a full calendar of events for 2023 punctuated by our three signature parades and several other performance opportunities throughout the city.

In addition to the popular CareOregon Starlight Parade and the prestigious Grand Floral Parade, we also offer additional performance opportunities at CityFair, appropriate to breakout band, concert band, jazz band and choir performances. CityFair performance opportunities are available on multiple dates & times during the festival. Our 2023 parades and events will take place on the dates listed below:


  • Starlight Parade, Saturday, June 1, 2024
  • Grand Floral Parade, Saturday, June 8, 2024
  • CityFair Performances, various dates and times, May 24-June 9, 2024

All High School Marching Bands are encouraged to apply for the 2024 Rose Festival parades and performance opportunities!

Applications are due on Friday, November 15, 2023



Welcome Guest Marching Bands for 2024 and Beyond!

Hundreds of the finest bands in the country have experienced the thrill of performing for our enthusiastic audiences. Now, it’s your turn! The Portland Rose Festival welcomes appearances from out-of-town marching bands at many of our events, including our signature parades! 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.

Applications through 2026 are currently being accepted for traveling guest bands.

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


Elementary, Middle School and Junior High Bands

Calling all elementary, middle and junior high school 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. Since 2019, band eligibility for each year is set on a 3 year rotation schedule.

Come celebrate with us at the Fred Meyer Junior Parade on Wednesday, June 5, 2024. 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, beginning in 2019, band eligibility is determined each year by a 3-year rotation schedule. The Rose Festival’s band committee will invite approximately 25 bands to march in the Fred Meyer Junior Parade on June 7, 2023. If you do not see your school on the rotation schedule, if you need to change your 3 year rotation assignment, or if your band is from outside the Greater Portland Metro region, please contact the Rose Festival Bands Team for more information on how to apply.

If you would like to march in the 2024 parade, please submit the form below by November 15, 2023. We will send acceptance letters via e-mail by December 15, 2023. 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.

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!

Elementary, Middle School and Junior High Band Participation Forms and Information:
For more information about adding your band to the Junior Parade band rotation, please email our Bands Team.
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