Portland Rose Festival Fred Meyer Junior Parade

From the moment the lovable Fred Bear cuts the ribbon to kick off the Fred Meyer Junior Parade, fun reigns. Children come from all parts of the city to join in: dressing in costume, transforming wagons into floats, decorating their bikes with colorful flowers, or just parading with their pets (and parents!). Elementary and Middle School marching bands fill the Hollywood District with song, and dance teams add swirls of color to the celebration. No matter how they participate in this pint-size parade, the kids enjoy their moment in the spotlight on Fox 12 Plus live, local television. From the very beginning, the Portland Rose Festival has celebrated our community’s children. The first Rose Festival in 1907 included a children’s parade of 2,000 boys and girls representing 23 schools! An official Rose Festival event since 1936, the Junior Parade is the nation’s oldest and largest children’s parade.