Portland, OR. Fifteen Portland Rose Festival Princesses are making the rounds at local businesses, special events and celebrations. The 2017 court is a standout for its diversity. At a blessing by Archbishop Alexander Sample, he explained how the group has the opportunity to “honor diversity but celebrate our unity as a wonderful community of love, respect, and peace.” The 2017 Rose Festival court is made up almost entirely of young women of color. Five of the princesses were born outside of the country, representing Kenya, China, the Philippines and Ethiopia.
Court members were at the Delta Park Elmer’s Restaurant to help spread the word about “Rose Meals.” For each Rose Meal purchased at 12 participating restaurants through June 25th, Elmer’s will donate $1 to the Portland Rose Festival Foundation. Since the program began in 2010, Elmer’s has raised $86,907 for the Rose Festival Foundation.
The Rose Festival Court is comprised of up to 15 young women chosen from Portland Metro-area high schools. After their selection court members travel full-time 5 days a week for 5 weeks, visiting community events, business leaders, hospitals, senior living centers, youth organizations and civic groups. Court Members also receive one-on-one mentorship, a $3,500 scholarship provided by The Randall Group, and a complete wardrobe. The Rose Festival Court is presented by Unitus Community Credit Union.
The Rose Festival Queen is chosen from the Court and is crowned at the Queen’s Coronation. The Queen represents Portland and the Rose Festival for one year at appearances throughout the country and abroad. The Coronation will be held just before the Grand Flora Parade on June 10th.
On April 23rd, members of the Rose Festival Court made their first public appearance at the annual Blessing of Festival.
Here’s a rundown of some popular Rose Festival Events:
SATURDAY June 3rd
DRAGON BOAT ART SHOW Antoinette Hatfield Hall – Portland5
SOGETSU IKEBANA EXHIBITION Japanese Garden Cultural Crossing Event Facility
CITYFAIR Tom McCall Waterfront Park
SIR MIX-A-LOT Tom McCall Waterfront Park 7:45 PM
STARLIGHT RUN Lincoln High School SW 16th & Salmon 8:30 PM
STARLIGHT PARADE Downtown Portland
SUNDAY 4
COUNTRYFEST Waterfront – RoZone Stage
WEDNESDAY 7
FLEET WEEK Tom McCall Waterfront Park
JUNIOR PARADE Hollywood District – NE Sandy and 52nd 1:00 PM
THURSDAY 8
SPRING ROSE SHOW Lloyd Center 1:00 PM
FRIDAY 9
ROYAL ROSARIAN HONORARY KNIGHTING Washington Park Ampitheater 10:00 AM
SATURDAY 10
DRAGON BOAT RACE Tom McCall Waterfront Park – South End 8:00 AM
QUEEN’S CORONATION Memorial Coliseum 9:30 AM
GRAND FLORAL WALK Memorial Coliseum to Downtown Portland 10:00 AM
GRAND FLORAL PARADE Memorial Coliseum to Downtown Portland 11:00 AM
GRAND FLORAL FLOAT SHOWCASE SW Naito Parkway 7:30 PM
SUNDAY 11
DRAGON BOAT RACES Tom McCall Waterfront Park – South End 10:00 AM
PORTLAND’S BEST ROSE Washington Park International Test Garden 11:00 AM
There are even more events at http://www.rosefestival.org/event-calendar/2017
Here’s more information on members of the 2017 Rose Festival Court.
PRINCESS ANNA SMILEY
LINCOLN HIGH SCHOOL
PRINCESS ERMINA KARIUKI
JEFFERSON HIGH SCHOOL
PRINCESS MAGGIE BEUTLER
WILSON HIGH SCHOOL
PRINCESS KORAH VONDERAHE
ROOSEVELT HIGH SCHOOL
PRINCESS TIFFANY NGUYEN
DAVID DOUGLAS HIGH SCHOOL
PRINCESS MAYRANNI CERVANTES
PARKROSE HIGH SCHOOL
PRINCESS MELE KAVAPALU
MADISON HIGH SCHOOL
PRINCESS KEELY NGUYEN
FRANKLIN HIGH SCHOOL
PRINCESS SADE MEANS
GRANT HIGH SCHOOL
PRINCESS MAHLET (MAHI) WONDAYEHU
CENTRAL CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL
PRINCESS BIFTU AMIN
CLEVELAND HIGH SCHOOL
PRINCESS LUCHANNA (LUCY) SAGOO
ST. MARY’S ACADEMY
PRINCESS MICHAELA CANETE
METRO WEST
PRINCESS MADISYN MONTGOMERY
METRO EAST
Thank you for this wonderful coverage of this year’s Portland Rose Festival Court. They are truly a remarkable group of accomplished, young women.