Don't Let The Parade Pass You By!

Enthusiastic parade watchers

Wilson High Marching Band

 I have always started out early on parade day so that I can stake out my favorite spot on the route of Portland, Oregon's annual Rose Festival Grand Floral Parade. The parade takes place every June. 

Many of my friends who did not grow up in Portland say to me that they "just don't get the Rose Festival" or the parade.  For many who grew up here, it was part of our childhood and was a magical thing, almost like Christmas in June.  It was a unique aspect of life growing up in Portland. 

Oregon State Police Mounted Patrol

It is rooted into my memories.  I recall leaving for the parade early with my family and friends, and meeting a multitude of my very favorite cousins who would come all the way from the Oregon Coast for parade day.  My Mom packed a load of sandwiches for all us kids including special snacks, and games to keep us occupied. Then, after the parade, she prepared a huge luncheon for tired parade goers.


While waiting patiently for the parade, and playing for what seemed like hours, we would finally hear the thump, thump, thump sound of marching bands that meant the parade was getting closer --- seemingly at a snail's pace --- to where we were.

Rose Festival High School Court

Those long ago Rose Festival Parades, besides being crazy fun, also signaled the end of the school year and the beginning of summer vacation.  It meant soon-to-come freedom to ride our bikes everywhere, and to play for hours after dinner because it stayed light late into the evening.  The parade meant we could very soon read all the books we wanted, or swim all day at the local pool. For us then, the Rose Parade meant summer was here at last!!!

So you probably can tell, Rose Parade Day was an annual and much loved family tradition. I valiantly tried to pass it all on to my own children and now to my grandchildren.  Though my grand-boys live far away and are busy with activities of their own, they have made it to at least one Rose Parade with their Grannie. I'm not too sure my efforts to continue the parade traditions have been successful.  Yet I still try, and I also try to never miss a Rose Parade Day.

 Nowadays, I simply pack a thermos of coffee, a sweater, a camp chair, and something to read while I wait.  This year's Parade Day dawned a bit cloudy, with the promise of sun breaking through later in the morning. And it did prove to be one of those rare, perfect days for parade watching.

One thing that made this year's parade experience a bit different for me, was that I slipped my new iPhone into my pocket thinking I might snap a few photos.  Not knowing if it was the warm sunshine or the "high" of being surrounded by so many children having the raucous fun I used to have, but, I went crazy taking pictures. 

Surrounded by Red Heads!

Surrounded by Red Heads!

Settling down in my camp chair to do my parade watching, the first thing I noticed was that I happened to be surrounded by beautiful red haired children, their red headed parents, and a few red-tinted grandmas!  It brought a smile to my face, and out came the iPhone.  Then came my high school band, leading the way, followed by hundreds of  "pre-parade walkers," the usual clowns, flags, vintage cars, dignitaries, rodeo queens, floats covered in flowers & all natural materials, sailors, waving queens and princesses, horses, more bands, and representatives from the various cultural communities that make up Portland. This year, the warm sun shone down over it all, adding a brilliance and vibrancy to every sound and color.

 So, I've shared with you some of my memories of Rose Parades past, and offer you photographs from my favorite viewing spot at this year's event.  I hope it will bring back memories of  parades past in your life.

And, if you missed this year's Rose Parade, you just might want to add it to your calendar for next year, or the year after.

Have a great summer, and, remember,

"Don't Let The Parade Pass You By!!!"

For Further Information on the Portland Rose Festival, go to the following link: www.rosefestival.org.