Featuring the most school bands together in one Rose Festival event, the nation's oldest and largest all-children's parade - the Fred Meyer Junior Parade is getting ready to step off this Wednesday, June 8, at 1:00 p.m. on Northeast Sandy Boulevard. Thousands of fans lining the mile long route will get to see Grand Marshal The Unipiper, leading the Woodmere Unicycle Club, for this 84th edition - celebrating future leaders of America.
Families that can use a little touch up, or would love to add more decoration to their kids entries, can stop by the Decoration Station presented by Visit Seaside Oregon, and choose flowers, ribbons and craft items to boost their colorful image. The Decoration Station is located at NE 52nd Avenue and Sandy Boulevard, near the parade starting point. While there, get a free photo from the Fred Meyer Photo Booth, and take home a souvenir of a great memory.
With three sections of bands, bands and a few more bands, led by the lovable Fred Bear, highlights include:
- Empowering Kids presented by Pacific Power featuring Neel Jain, who was presented with the Emerging Leaders Award at Rose Festival Honors and Rose Festival President Dave Todd.
- Inspiring Kids featuring the colorful dance and drill teams KIROS PDX School and King Sun School, as well as the Royal Rosarian Prime Minister Dwight Terry.
- Celebrating Kids with the popular Durham Elementary School Escola de Samba Band and Rose Society President Cheryl McClain.
Street closures for the Fred Meyer Junior Parade will begin at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, around the parade route that includes NE Sandy Blvd. from 57th Avenue to 40th Avenue. North to NE Tillamook Street and west to NE 36th Avenue at Grant High School. Check the Junior Parade page to see our map!
In 1918, a group of six kids in the Hollywood District were sorely disappointed that their beloved Rose Festival had to be cancelled due to World War I. So, they decided to hold their own parade - with a procession of two bicycles, a tricycle and an express wagon carrying their own Queen traveling down NE 44th Street. Having been an official Rose Festival event since 1936, the Junior Parade is the nation’s oldest and largest children’s parade. Watch the Fred Meyer Junior Parade on FOX 12+ starting at 1:00 p.m.
The Portland Rose Festival Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that serves families and individuals with programs and events that promote the arts, education and volunteerism. We value environmental responsibility, diversity, patriotism and our historic & floral heritage. The 2022 Rose Festival runs from May 27 through June 12. For more information, go to RoseFestival.org.
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