Group builds on experience, planning 82nd Ave. of Roses Parade

Their first parade was a success. See what these volunteers are planning for the second one on April 19 – and how you can play an important role in this new, exciting outer East Portland event …

Looking at photos taken of last year’s successful parade, members of the 82nd Avenue of Roses Parade committee are Ken Turner, Paul Ellison, Nancy Chapin, Kevin Williams, Richard Kiley, Judy Welch, Kathryn Notson, Johnni Jones and Arlene Kimura.

Story and photo by David F. Ashton
Last April, most of the spectators watching the first annual 82nd Avenue of Roses Parade simply enjoyed the event.

But one long-time resident along the parade route looked amazed and said what others thought: “I never thought I’d see the day. Things really are changing for the better along 82nd Avenue.”

Plans are underway for an even successful, colorful, exciting, stupendous, and colossal event this year, according to its organizer, and long-time East Portland booster, Ken Turner.

“We’re looking forward to a great event,” Turner predicted when we caught up with him at a meeting of the organizing volunteers. “It looks like we’ll have 40 entries, including floats, and walking entries from neighborhood and business associations, service organizations, car clubs, and farmers markets.”

Turner reminded us that the parade will be one of the first public appearances of the newly-selected 2008 Portland Rose Festival Court and the Royal Rosarians. “And there’s a good chance you’ll see some of Portland’s and Multnomah County’s leading politicians in the parade.”

This year, the parade is scheduled to feature the music and marching band antics of the “Get a Life Marching Band”.

The April 19 parade steps out onto SE 82nd Avenue of Roses from Eastport Plaza at 9:00 a.m. sharp. The parade will proceed north to the Montavilla East Tabor Business district.

Who will be this year’s Grand Marshal? Turner said they’d release that information in a couple of weeks.

Volunteers are needed

Many volunteers are needed the day of the parade.

“There isn’t heavy lifting involved,” said volunteer coordinator, Johnni Beth Jones. “And, the time commitment is small. We need adults willing to be ‘street closure guards’ the morning of the parade.”

Contact Jones at johnni.jones@gmail.com; she asks that you list “Parade Volunteer” in the subject of your e-mail so she’ll spot it right away.

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