Volunteer with the Rose Festival

Thank you to our 2024 Volunteers!

We want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of you who made 2024’s festivities truly remarkable. The outpouring of support and participation from our community was awe-inspiring. At the Festival, we believe successful communities are built on strong partnerships.

Opportunities to volunteer at the 2025 Portland Rose Festival will be available in Winter of 2025.

Float Decorating Team

Float decorating volunteers can join us as early as Mid-Spring for mini-float decorating! Mini-floats are decorated over a few months leading up to the Grand Floral Parade so our mini-float coordinator will reach out and inquire about when you specifically would like to come volunteer. Decorating of the big "Grand Floral" floats occurs the final week before the Grand Floral Parade (June 1 - 7). All float decorating volunteers will get the chance to get up close and personal with our floral floats and help put the finishing touches on before the big day.

Along with your crew chief, you'll help paint the base colors for each float, then apply the matching organic materials which may include seeds, beans, rice and of course LIVE FLOWERS!

No experience is necessary as your crew chief will help you flex your creative skills on anything from cutting leaves from a stem, filling water vials, pulling petals, or even slicing fruit. All float decorators must be at least 12 years old (with an accompanying adult) and sign a waiver (adult or guardian). Volunteer shifts run from 9-12pm, 12-3pm, 3-6pm, and 6-9pm. We welcome everyone, even if you are unable to stay for a full volunteer shift.

Cleanest & Greenest Team

The Rose Festival values environment responsibility and we pride ourselves on being recognized internationally for our famous parade cleanups! A big part of this is empowering parade-goers help us keep the streets clean.

The Cleanest & Greenest Team for CareOregon Starlight Parade will distribute bags along the route pre-parade and encourage parade viewers to pack their garbage out and as we Oregonians like to call it, Leave No Trace! The team will also lead the end of the parade ahead of the street cleaners to help them with final pick-up.

Everyone on the team will get volunteer t-shirts and special reserved seating to view the parade in style!

Do you have questions about registering a group of volunteers?

The Rose Festival is a great opportunity for churches, sports teams, offices and school groups to volunteer together!

Reach out to our Volunteer Coordinator Bridget at volunteer@rosefestival.org