A Century in Bloom - Portland Rose Festival with Jeremy Emerson

2025-08-13

Since 1907, the Portland Rose Festival has brought the city together with parades, dragon boats, fireworks, and flowers - lots of flowers. In this episode, Event Explorer host Daniel Roth speaks with Jeremy Emerson, incoming President of the Portland Rose Festival Foundation, about what it takes to keep this tradition relevant, inclusive, and uniquely Portland. From milk carton boat races to the Grand Floral Parade, we explore the history, quirks, and civic heart behind one of America’s most iconic city festivals a...

Since 1907, the Portland Rose Festival has brought the city together with parades, dragon boats, fireworks, and flowers - lots of flowers. In this episode, Event Explorer host Daniel Roth speaks with Jeremy Emerson, incoming President of the Portland Rose Festival Foundation, about what it takes to keep this tradition relevant, inclusive, and uniquely Portland.

From milk carton boat races to the Grand Floral Parade, we explore the history, quirks, and civic heart behind one of America’s most iconic city festivals and how events like this can help revitalize a city and reflect its evolving identity.

Follow or rate Event Explorer on your favorite podcast platform, and share your festival stories with Daniel at daniel@eventexp.org.

🎟️ Learn more at rosefestival.org
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#PortlandRoseFestival #Podcast #FestivalCulture #Parades #PortlandEvents #EventProfs #CityCelebration #CivicPride #Events

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