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Parade Clowning Characterizes New President's Rose Festival Roots

August 20, 2008

Like every good husband, Robert Hansen 'volunteered' to help his wife Janie with a little float decorating in 1990. Because of his hard work (and maybe with just a little influence from 'the boss'), Robert was rewarded with the opportunity to walk along side the float in the Grand Floral Parade as a clown. From that day on he was hooked -- and he became involved in the Rose Festival every year after. On Thursday, July 31, the Foundation's Board of Directors passed the gavel to Robert Hansen as the 2009 President. "I really just started as a volunteer, but I appreciated every minute of it," says Hansen. "My goal as president of the foundation is to work with all stake holders in the festival to build and implement a model of sustainability while maintaining the traditions of this world class event."

Robert graduated from Pacific Lutheran University in 1980 with a Bachelor of Business Administration and is Director of Financial Operations for the Pacific Northwest with IKON Office Solutions. Robert and Janie were married in 1989 and have a son, Zach. Since joining the Rose Festival, Robert has served on ten committees (four as chair) and held five officer positions (including the 2009 presidency). The five other directors elected to the Rose Festival board for 2009 are: President-Elect Sue Bunday (the City of Lake Oswego), Vice President Todd Johnston (of Selectron Technologies, Inc.), Secretary Lorraine Hood-Jack (with Qualified Contractors, Inc.), Treasurer Dr. Charold Baer (Professor Emeritus at OHSU) and Assistant Treasurer David Todd (Ph.D. Mt. Hood Community College).

The new officers and Foundation are hard at work this summer with two off-season projects: a new Golf Marathon in September and the annual Rose Festival auction in October. Pre-season ticket sales and Sanctioned Events sign-ups begin in November.

Portlander Wins the Hallmark 'Daddy of All Dance-Offs' Contest in New York City

July 7, 2008

On June 13, 2008, Hallmark named Ronnie Bell of Portland, Oregon, the 2008 'Number One Dancing Dad In America.'

Bell, who was selected at the WaMu Waterfront Village contest during the 2008 Rose Festival, beat out hundreds of other dancing dads from across the country in Hallmark's "Daddy of All Dance-Offs" -- a nationwide search for America's best dancing dad.

As the winner of the contest, Bell not only earned bragging rights as the top dancing dad in the nation, but also won some great cash prizes.

Hallmark's "Daddy of All Dance-Offs" was a light-hearted competition aimed at "moving Dad" through music for Father's Day. The online and multi-city contests gave dads of all ages (and dance ability) a chance to show off their best dance moves, rocking out to MC Hammer's "U Can't Touch This" (as featured in one of Hallmark's innovative Cards with Sound).

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Save During Our Huge Rose Festival Merchandise Sale!

June 16, 2008

Looking for that special souvenir or unique gift item? Or maybe you want a pink puffy vest just for you? From men's, women's and youth clothing to bracelet charms, totes and much more -- there's bound to be something fun for everyone! Don't miss your chance to save big on a huge variety of items.

When:
Friday, June 21 (10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.)
Saturday, June 22 (10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.)

Where:
The Rose Garden Store Patio
850 SW Rose Garden Way
Portland, OR 97205

Nearly everything from both the 2007 and 2008 Rose Festivals is on sale! Note that our on line store will also reflect these prices for the above named two days.

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See the World Television Premiere of "From One Rose"!

June 11, 2008

You won't want to miss viewing "From One Rose" on KOIN News 6, hosted by Mike Donahue!

Be sure to tune in this coming Sunday, June 15 (from noon - 2:00 p.m.).

LEARN MORE about "From One Rose."

The 2008 Rose Festival Isn't Over Quite Yet!

June 9, 2008

The KeyBank Grand Floral Parade -- which many hailed as the most beautiful and varied parade in our history -- is still available for viewing! Catch the rebroadcast tomorrow (Tuesday, June 10) at 7:00 p.m. on KGW NewsChannel 8 (seen for the first time ever in HD, generously funded by Spirit Mountain Casino and Fred Meyer).

See the results of the 2008 Grand Floral Parade:
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The History & Roses Tour presented by Windermere still has various sites open for visits!
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See the results of the 2008 Rose Cup Races:
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The 2008 Junior Parade will be available for viewing through Portland Cable Access and online (starting on Wednesday, June 11)!
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See the results of the 2008 Junior Parade:
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See the results of the 2008 Starlight Parade:
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There are numerous Sanctioned Events still to come!
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Be sure to sign up to receive our Newsletter, via email!
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WAMU Waterfront Village Bobs into a Second Weekend

June 5, 2008

WaMu Waterfront Village keeps the fun and the silly alive this weekend, with a special guest appearance from SpongeBob SquarePants, provided by Comcast. SpongeBob will appear in the afternoon and early evening's on Thursday, June 5 through Sunday, June 8, at various locations around the Village -- where he'll pose for photos and offer a special welcome to both children and adults!

This is the last chance for 2008 to get down and visit the Village, where there are so many fun and exciting things to see and do! Kids of all ages can still attend the amazing Dinosaur Jurassic Journey -- and talk in person with Jurassic Joe!

Learn More about the Dinosaur Jurassic Journey.

And right next door is Toucan's Exotic Animals, a must-see live animal delight that displays rare mammals, birds, reptiles and insects from African, Asia and South America. Kids love it -- and so do adults!

But there are many other attractions to engage visitors. You can enjoy the Funtastic carnival rides and dine on international cuisine -- and this weekend view the KeyBank Grand Floral Parade floats up close and personal (from 3:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Saturday and 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Sunday.)

There are Rose Festival Fleet tours currently underway, plus you can catch the excitement at the CapriSun Respect the Pouch Tour.

Other entertainment highlights include: The WaMu Big Top Stage (featuring Vaudevillian acts, festive world-beat and American roots music), the Dex World Rhythms Stage (with Cultural music and dance performances from around the world) and the BI-MART Kids Zone and Family Fun Stage (that includes clowns, jugglers and magicians and the BI-MART Monster Trucks). (And little ones adore the Pony Rides and Petting Zoo!)

The truly brave visitor will want to check out the Big Sling and the Skyscraper -- the tallest thrill rides in the Western United States! With something for everyone, you won't want to miss it!

The Portland Rose Festival is Featured at Marching.Com!

June 4, 2008

Marching.Com is the major one-stop source of high school marching band events, scores, links and resources. This May and June, the Portland Rose Festival appears among their 'Featured Events.'

Band fans have a lot to cheer about at the festival this year! Be sure to visit our brand new Bands section at this website for a list of band-related events, which includes:

• Wednesday's (today's) Junior Parade
  
• Friday's Concert at the Park
  
• The 2008 return of the Noontime Concerts
  
• WaMu Waterfront Village's Marching on Naito Parkway
  
• The KeyBank Grand Floral Parade this coming Saturday!

Tickets are still available for Concert at the Park!

LEARN MORE about the Rose Festival at Marching.Com.

Rose Festival Invites You to Celebrate Equal Parade Accessibility for All

June 3, 2008

For 2008, parade attendees are encouraged to celebrate equal parade access for all, by reserving your spot in person along the parade route, beginning Friday morning, June 6.

Those who wish to can camp along the parade route beginning Friday night, June 6. And we have loads of fun ideas for ways you can use duct tape this year to make creative items (like duct tape roses!), in place of taping off sidewalks and streets.

You can also bring along your chalk for games and street art that everyone can share, but please don't use it to save places.

For the first time ever, portable toilets will grace the parade route! A total of 313 portable toilets will be lined up along the parade route for spectator use.

LEARN MORE about Parade Accessibility and Amenities.

Hallmark's Daddy of All Dance-Offs is Coming to the WaMu Waterfront Village!

May 27, 2008

Hallmark is looking for the #1 Dancing Dad for the opportunity to win $1,000 and a trip to participate in the National Dance-Off event.

Auditions: May 31, 11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. at the Family Fun Stage in the BI-MART Kids Zone and June 1, 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. at the WaMu Big Top Stage.

Festival Finals event: June 1, 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. at the WaMu Big Top Stage.

(Must be a Dad 21 or older to compete.)

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Cleanest & Greenest Festival Welcomes EPA Ocean Survey Vessel OSV Bold

May 26, 2008

Arriving in Portland on May 26 (at approximately 6:00 p.m.) for a week-long visit is The Bold, EPA Ocean Survey Vessel OSV Bold, on her first-ever assignment to the West Coast. Her job is to monitor and assess the health of our oceans and coastal waters, clearly right in line with the Mission Statement of the Rose Festival!

The Rose Festival is proud of our 'Cleanest & Greenest' festival in the world title.

The Ocean Survey Vessel Bold (The Bold) is EPA's only ocean and coastal monitoring vessel. The Bold -- a converted U.S. Navy T-AGOS class vessel -- is equipped with state-of-the-art sampling, mapping, and analysis equipment including sidescan sonar, underwater video, water sampling instruments, and sediment sampling devices, which scientists can use in various monitoring activities. EPA recognizes that accurate and timely data collection and analysis along our coasts will help us take actions necessary to keep our nation’s coastal and ocean waters healthy.

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