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Volunteer

Interested in Volunteering?

The Portland Rose Festival relies on thousands of dedicated volunteers to bring our events and programs to life. Right now, we're in prime preparation time and are looking for volunteers to help make Festival events a success. Successful communities are built on strong partnerships.
You can volunteer on your own, with your friends and family, or with a community group. The more the merrier!

Thanks to The Standard and the thousands of volunteers who help make the Rose Festival a success!

If you'd like to join the grandest group of volunteers who help produce the Portland Rose Festival each and every year, just tell us a little bit about yourself below, and let us know what opportunity interests you!
We welcome volunteers from all backgrounds & abilities!

To learn more and register, see our different volunteer opportunities below.

We ESPECIALLY need Parade Day Barricade Guides!

Volunteer as a 2025 Parade Day Barricade Guide

We URGENTLY need your help!

It takes over 300 Parade Day Barricade Guide volunteers to put our parades on the street each year! We're looking for enthusiastic volunteers to help support the parade to ensure safety of participants and spectators by actively managing street closure barricades. Volunteers will help act as the "eyes and ears" around the parade route and work with our on-site safety team to report any incidents.

This role is available for the CareOregon Starlight Parade on May 31, the Fred Meyer Junior Parade on June 4, and Grand Floral Parade on June 7. Bring a family member or friend if you can!

Responsibilities include:

Ensure the safety of parade participants and guests by actively managing street closure barricades
Greet people and welcome them to the parade
Assist parade participants through entry & exit areas
Report incidents to the safety team on site
Guide community members in wayfinding around the parade area

REGISTER HERE

Please note - Parade Day Barricade Guides must be 18 or older.

Join the Float Decorating Team

UPDATE 2025: We have received an overwhelming number of float decorating volunteer applications already this year. Please consider helping out parades by volunteering with your friends and family as a Parade Day Barricade Guide!

Float decorating volunteers can join us for mini-float decorating! Mini-floats are decorated June 4 - June 6 leading up to the Grand Floral Parade. You can sign up here, we especially need help on June 6 to decorate the Rosarian Float.

Decorating of the big "Grand Floral" floats occurs the final week before the Grand Floral Parade (May 31 - June 6). All float decorating volunteers will get the chance to get up close and personal with our floral floats and help put the finishing touches on before the big day. We have filled all volunteer spots for "big" float decorating. Please contact Skye at volunteer@rosefestival.org if you are in a group and still need to select your shift.

Along with your crew chief, you'll help paint the base colors for each float, then apply the matching organic materials which may include seeds, beans, rice and of course LIVE FLOWERS!

No experience is necessary as your crew chief will help you flex your creative skills on anything from cutting leaves from a stem, filling water vials, pulling petals, or even slicing fruit. All float decorators must be at least 14 years old (with an accompanying adult) and sign a waiver (adult or guardian). We welcome everyone, even if you are unable to stay for a full volunteer shift.

For inquiries about float decorating opportunities in the future - please email Skye at volunteer@rosefestival.org

Questions About Registering a Group of Volunteers?

The Rose Festival is a great opportunity for churches, sports teams, offices and school groups to volunteer together!

Reach out to our Volunteer Coordinator at volunteer@rosefestival.org