PORTLAND, Ore. – In honor of their 2017 NWSL Championship title, Portland Thorns FC have been selected as Grand Marshals of the Portland General Electric/SOLVE Starlight Parade, it was announced today at halftime of the Thorns FC match at Providence Park.
A highlight of the annual Portland Rose Festival, the PGE/SOLVE Starlight Parade, which draws more than 325,000 spectators, will showcase Thorns FC throughout downtown Portland the evening of Saturday, June 2. The parade will feature a live broadcast on FOX 12 Oregon (KPTV) from 9-11 p.m. (Pacific).
“All of us associated with Thorns FC are honored to be selected as the Grand Marshal of the Starlight Parade,” said Mike Golub, president of business for Thorns FC. “The team is so proud to be part of an event that has long been an important part of our community.”
Thorns FC defeated the North Carolina Courage 1-0 on Oct. 14, 2017, to capture their second NWSL Championship in five seasons (2013, 2017). Also winners of an NWSL Shield in 2016, Thorns FC have led the NWSL in attendance in each of the league’s first five seasons. Globally, Portland has the highest attendance of any women’s professional team in the world, averaging 17,653 fans in its fifth season in the league in 2017.
The Starlight Parade began in the early 1900s, when illuminated floats built on electronic trolley cars made their way through the streets of Portland on trolley tracks. Today, traditional marching bands, illuminated floats and unique hand-built entries will light up the night along the 2.25-mile route, showcasing the best of Portland’s diverse community groups. The event will be free and open to the public.
"It's because of strong and capable women that the Rose Festival has succeeded for more than 111 years," said Amy Johnson, chair of the PGE/SOLVE Starlight Parade. "It's only fitting that we take this opportunity to honor a group of strong women that have made the Portland sports scene so successful."
First beginning in 1907, the Portland Rose Festival was created by city leaders in order to put Portland on the map and brand it the “summer capital of the world.” Today, the three-weekend-long urban fair is recognized for its award-winning events, as well as serving as a community leader for volunteerism and environmentalism. For more information on the PGE/SOLVE Starlight Parade, click here.
