Portland Rose Festival Starts this Memorial Day Weekend

PORTLAND, Ore. - Concerts, carnival and fireworks fill the opening four day weekend as the Portland Rose Festival cuts the ribbon to the 2014 season at City Fair. Rose Festival City Fair opens this Friday at 5 p.m. (May 23), with Princesses and Clowns welcoming visitors to three performance stages, unique food vendors, Funtastic Traveling Shows and Opening Night Fireworks presented by Pacific Power. The RoZone Concert Series presented on the One Main Financial Stage features 101.9 KINK on the Waterfront with headliners Vintage Trouble (Saturday, May 24), and Capital Cities (Sunday, May 25).

Join the Portland Rose Festival on Memorial Day, Monday, May 26, as we come together to honor and recognize the United States Armed Forces at the OneMain Financial Stage, with live music and a Hero's Picnic! Add your own special note of thanks to the living Regence Tribute Tree, then grab a hot dog and join in the fun starting at 2 p.m. in the RoZone. A moment of Remembrance will occur at 3 p.m., followed by an afternoon of music with 98.7 The Bull. Veterans, reservists, active military and one guest are free thanks to Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon.

Weekend Highlights at Cityfair:

Friday Night Surprise - Join the Rose Festival at 7:45 p.m. for a  special surprise at City Fair.

Opening Night Fireworks presented by Pacific Power

Featuring a free concert at 8 p.m. featuring Hit Machine on the One Main Financial Stage plus a world class fireworks show (choreographed to music broadcast live on 101.9 KINK) at 10 p.m.

Rose Festival Museum - Get a rare look at the Royal Crown of Rosaria in its only public appearance outside the annual Queen's Coronation ceremony. Limited viewing on Saturdays and Sundays, 2 - 4 p.m., plus Memorial Day (Monday, May 26)

Kids Zone - Family members of all ages are welcome to join in interactive arts and crafts.

Butterfly Adventures (May 23 - 26 only) - Interact with hundreds of beautiful free-flying butterflies at the Butterfly Discovery Center.

Crafters Corner - Browse over unique hand-made products from select artisans as they create beautiful art in front of your eyes.

Rose City Stage & Rogue Brew Pub - Listen to some of Portland's best indie artists and cover bands while enjoying a refreshing Rose Festival Ale.

Bridgetown Stage - Showcasing our community's diverse heritages, cultural traditions and playful acts for children.

Funtastic Traveling Shows - Featuring a variety of carnival fun with family favorites and over-the-top twisters.

In the RoZone:

Saturday (May 24)
5:30 p.m. – doors open
6:30 – 7:15 p.m. – Vicci Martinez
7:45 – 8:30 p.m. – Marc Broussard
9:00 – 10:15 p.m. – Vintage Trouble

Sunday (May 25)
5:30 p.m. – doors open
6:30 – 7:15 p.m. – Valerie June
7:45 – 8:30 p.m. – Scars on 45
9:00 – 10:00 – Capital Cities

Rose Festival Memorial Day

CityFair gates open at 11:00 a.m.
RoZone Gates open at 2:00 p.m.
2:00 p.m. (until it’s gone) – Hero’s Picnic (free hot dog picnic lunch for the first 2,500 people)
3:00 p.m. – National Moment of Remembrance (moment of silence)
3:02 – Memorial Day Ceremony
3:15 – 4:00 p.m. – Briana Lee
4:30 – 5:45 p.m. – Celebrate Freedom
6:15 – 7:00 p.m. – Jackson Michelson
7:30 – 8:30 p.m. – Breaking Midnight
9:00 – 10:00 p.m. – Kurt Van Meter Band
[concert line-up courtesy of 98.7 The Bull]

Starlight Parade Honors Thirty Years of ‘Whoop Whoop’

The PGE/SOLVE Starlight Parade kicks off at 8:30 p.m. Saturday, May 31, following the Legacy Health Starlight Run at 7:45 p.m. Fans who can't attend in person can also see the Parade live on FOX 12 beginning at 9 p.m.

Thirty years ago the simple cry 'Whoop, whoop' engaged citizens of Portland, and launched the career of iconic mayor Bud Clark. In honor of the anniversary of the man who 'exposed Portland to the arts,' the Portland Rose Festival has chosen Bud Clark as Grand Marshal of the 2014 Portland General Electric/SOLVE Starlight Parade. 

A 1949 graduate of LincolnHigh School, Bud Clark attend college at VanportCollege (now PortlandStateUniversity) as well as OregonState and ReedCollege. In 1967, he opened the Goose Hollow Inn Tavern and is credited with helping revitalize that neighborhood. In 1984, Clark first ran for mayor, and was reelected in 1988 (defeating 11 candidates in the process). While in office Mayor Clark supported the growth of mass transit, and led the campaign to build the OregonConvention Center.