Timbers selected as Grand Marshal for Portland Rose Festival Grand Floral Parade

PORTLAND, Ore. – In honor of their 2015 MLS Cup title, the Portland Timbers have been selected as Grand Marshal for the 2016 Spirit Mountain Casino Grand Floral Parade, it was announced Thursday by the Portland Rose Festival. 

An iconic highlight of the annual Portland Rose Festival, the Grand Floral Parade, which draws hundreds of thousands of viewers each year, will showcase the Timbers throughout downtown Portland on Saturday, June 11, beginning at 10 a.m.

“The Portland Rose Festival has been integral to our community for more than 100 years, and the Timbers are honored and proud to be a part of this year’s festivities as Grand Marshal of the 2016 Grand Floral Parade,” said Merritt Paulson, owner of the Timbers.

A colorful reflection of local, regional and international communities, the Grand Floral Parade also will feature 15 all-floral floats, 14 marching bands, 19 equestrian units and other special entries, along with vintage vehicles, flag-festooned marching groups and colorful dancers along a 4.2-mile route that originates at Veterans Memorial Coliseum and winds through the city and across the river.

With a theme of “excessive celebration” this year, the Portland Rose Festival attracts over one million people to the Pacific Northwest each year.

"We want to see Portland Timbers fans turn out for the Spirit Mountain Casino Grand Floral Parade and ‘excessively celebrate’ their 2015 MLS Cup championship team," said Marilyn Clint, (AKA Parade Queen) chief operating officer, Portland Rose Festival Foundation.

As part of the parade-day celebrations, Alaska Airlines will debut a festive, Timbers-themed float that celebrates its partnership with the club.

For more information on how to purchase tickets for the Portland City Festival and the Grand Floral Parade, click here.