ROSE FESTIVAL FESTIVITIES
This weekend is the Rose Festival coup de grâce! Two...TWO...Two parades in one! The first ever CareOregon Grand Floral Starlight Parade. They had to widen the downtown streets just to fit that title on the sign to kick off the parade. That might not be true. But Stacey & Mike hosting the parade from Pioneer Courthouse Square is true!
The Starlight Run is the wacky warm-up act for the CareOregon Grand Floral Starlight Parade. The race sThis weekend is the Rose Festival coup de grâce! Two...TWO...Two parades in one! The first ever CareOregon Grand Floral Starlight Parade. They had to widen the downtown streets just to fit that title on the sign to kick off the parade. That might not be true. But Stacey & Mike hosting the parade from Pioneer Courthouse Square is true!
The Fleet has arrived at Waterfront Park and you can tour the ships through Sunday. You will need a REAL ID to get onto the ships.
Let us not forget the Dragon Boat Races! 50 teams, Women’s, Mixed, Open, and High School, racing in the incredibly special traditional-style Dragon Boats from Taiwan. Each race has 4 teams compete by sprinting 500m down the Willamette River ending at the bowl in the South Hawthorne Waterfront Park, where their flag catcher reaches out from the dragon’s head to capture their flag.
Who will become the next Queen of Rosaria? One of Portland’s most time-honored traditions continues as the Rose Festival Court is presented, and the new reigning Queen is named Friday. The Queen represents Portland and the Rose Festival for one year at appearances throughout the country and abroad.
It's the final weekend of City Fair open Friday, June 5: 4 p.m. - 10 p.m. Saturday, June 6: 12 p.m. - 10 p.m.and Sunday, June 7: 12 p.m. - 9 p.m. *Weather Depending*
The OSA Rose Festival Exhibition is a vibrant celebration of Portland, its rich traditions, and its iconic flower, the rose. That's going on through the 25th at the Oregon Art Center.
The Spring Rose Show, over 4,000 blooms, is presented by The Portland Rose Society and is the nation's largest and longest-running rose show.
At Bloom Tour PDX, it's not just roses. All flowers are used in floral and art installations created by local florists and artists in collaboration with downtown retailers. As you explore the city, you’ll discover vibrant storefront displays, interactive floral creations, and immersive art, all designed to celebrate the beauty of spring and support Portland’s small businesses.
If you're headed to any Rose Festival events, the traffic and parking will be a bit of a hassle so plan ahead. GO BY TRIMET.
OTHER WAYS TO MAKE MEMORIES
ZOO Brew is pouring from dozens of the best breweries and cideries in the Northwest. Enjoy tasty eats from local food carts, fun lawn games, keeper chats, roving entertainment, and live music. Make sure to meet the brand new red panda while you're there.
Saturday is The Hillsboro Pride Party at Shute Park. Stop by the first ever Explore Tualatin Valley Wine Garden proudly featuring Tualatin Valley wines including queer-owned Maloof Wines and Proteus Wines. Check-in with your Spring Sips passport and get $1 off your first glass of wine. 🍷
Doggie Dash Salem, celebrating all of the good things animals bring to our lives, is Saturday at Riverfront Park in Salem. Doggie Dash (formerly WillaMutt Strut) is a pet-friendly walk/run and festival for animal lovers, pet parents, and anyone wanting to give back to our community. Your participation as a Dasher powers the work of Oregon Humane, turning compassion into action for pets and the people who love them!
The 2026 Concerts on the Lawn series at McMenamins' Edgefield campus in Troutdale kicks off with Bob Dylan Thursday June 4. Myles Smith, Young The Giant, Of Monsters and Men and Earth Wind & Fire just some of the great acts playing this summer. Tickets for the shows are on sale now, and all events are held rain or shine, welcoming all ages with free parking available.
If you’re headed downtown and want to bring your dog, A new off-leash dog park, Valhowlla, has opened on the PSU campus at SW 11th & Market. The park features separate sections for small and large dogs, with water faucets, poop bag dispensers, and benches for humans.
Rumor has it that the Old Church Concert Hall is hosting Candlelight: A Tribute To Adele.
It’s Portland Taco week with $5 specialty tacos at taquerias, restaurants and food carts around town. It’s also Strawberry Shortcake Week, 45 restaurants in Portland serving up their version of the classic. It's also PRIME Hood Strawberry season so grab em whilst ya can!
LOOKING AHEAD
Summer is so close you can almost hear it already..."MOM, I'm bored!" Make plans to visit Oregon Zoo, Hoyt Arboretum, Japanese or Rose Gardens, where you can take the free Washington Park shuttle available daily through September from 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Looking for a summer camp? Spots fill up fast, here are some we love.
If you plan to visit Multnomah Falls you'll need to buy a timed permit starting 5/22. The parking lot gets overloaded, and the permit system helps keep spaces available. You can buy a permit up to two weeks in advance of your visit. Each permit covers a one-hour time slot and then you can stay as long as you want.
The Grateful Dad Half Marathon, 10K and 5K is coming up on June 20th…the day before Father’s Day. It promises miles of dad energy, and every finisher celebrates with a stack of fluffy pancakes at the finish line. The event supports Portland Youth Programs, young athletes and performers. It’s a fun event for kids and dads to do together. Register at Run Sign Up dot com.
Portland International Raceway will bring IndyCar drivers back to Portland International Raceway for high‑speed competition August 7–9, 2026. Tix on sale now!
STACEY & MIKE WATCHLIST
In Theaters: The highly anticipated action fantasy Masters of the Universe, the horror flick Scary Movie, the comedy Power Ballad, and the animated video-game adaptation The Amazing Digital Circus: The Last Act.
If you're taking the fam to the movies, grab these summer deals: Cinemark is doing their Summer Movie Clubhouse for Kids with $1.75 movie tickets starting June 1st. Regal's Summer Movie Express does $1 Family Movies, also starting the 1st. And AMC’s Summer Movie Camp with discounted tickets starts June 22nd. Tickets for all three are available now on-line. Check you local listings.
Stacey: Weapons starring Josh Brolin and Julia Garner. Um. The title may have had you thinking it was something other than the scary, weird movie that it is. But oddly I was riveted.
Mike: Finally watched this and loved the first season...but it got worse as we went.