Thousands enjoy the 82nd Avenue of Roses Annual Parade

If you didn’t make it out to this great event – the first big official event of the 2010 Portland Rose Festival – you’ll want to see the dozens of exclusive photos in our story, to show you all the fun you missed …

Standing are 82nd Avenue of Roses Business Association President Ken Turner, and parade official Nancy Chapin of “The Support Group” – and seated are Isabelle Geisheker Geisheker and Alla Nasteka, pausing for a picture while they check in participants to the 2010 82nd Avenue of Roses Parade.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
This year’s edition of the 82nd Avenue of Roses Parade was the best ever – in terms of the number of entries who marched up the avenue from Eastport Plaza to Montavilla – and also in the thousands of folks who came out to enjoy this unique event on April 24.

“We were grateful for clear weather,” said 82nd Avenue of Roses Business Association President Ken Turner, “But even more so for the great turnout of people who viewed the parade along the 44-block parade route. We’ve heard estimates that the parade was viewed by more than 2,000 people.”

Polishing up his ‘Vette before the parade is Gary Schull.

Perennial volunteers Jerry and Bera Lou Couch – two of the nearly 100 folks who helped put with the parade – are closing off a side street moments before the 82nd Avenue of Roses Parade rolls by.

During the parade, as we walked along the route photographing the event, we greeted people from all over the greater Portland area – including outer East Portland neighborhoods like Parkrose.

“The number-one quality of this parade is that it brings a fun activity to 82nd Avenue of Roses, and the east side of Portland,” Turner smiled. “And, it’s a real collaborative effort among neighbors, businesses, and civic groups. We were pleased to have several parade entries from outside the eastside area.”

Dianne Gill, Manager of Eastport Plaza and the parade’s Entry Coordinator, is all smiles as the parade gets ready to roll out.

Beyond enjoying a fun family event, the community gains intangible benefits, observed Turner, by the bringing of the community together. “It improves the image of outer Southeast Portland, casting a more favorable light on a truly great part of Portland.”

Plans are already underway for next year’s parade, Turner added. “We look forward to presenting an even bigger and better parade on Saturday, April 30, 2011. Mark your calendar!”

2010 82nd Avenue of Roses Parade Photo Album

Here comes the 2010 82nd Avenue of Roses Parade!

Portland Police Bureau East Precinct Caption William Walker drives the parade’s Pace Car.

The Color Guard is from the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1442.

Here’s the official banner for the 2010 82nd Avenue of Roses Parade.

Riding in their first parade of the year are 2010 Portland Rose Festival Princesses (top left) Natalia Mosailova, David Douglas High School; (top right) Becci Read, Parkrose High School; (bottom left) Lindsay Patino, Madison High School, and (bottom right) Yuliyana Kobel, Marshall High School.

We’re always glad to see Portland City Commissioner Nick Fish in outer East Portland – and it looks as if he’s having a great time walking in the parade.

No group looks spiffier than the Royal Rosarians, as they march in this first major official event of the 2010 Portland Rose Festival.

Officially presiding in one of her last parades is the 2009 Queen of Rosaria, Queen Rachael. The 2010 Queen will be announced just before the Portland Rose Festival Grand Floral Parade sets out, in Memorial Coliseum.

Why is this lively character bending down to greet us? It’s because he’s walking the parade route on 5-foot-high stilts!

They don’t have a banner, but we happen to know that these smiling participants are representing the East Portland Chamber of Commerce.

Driving her own tiny Toyota is the youngest “princess” in the parade, Rosebud Mcleod.

Showing there pride are many Powellhurst-Gilbert Neighborhood Association residents – this year’s “Spirit of Portland” award-winning neighborhood of the year – is their association’s President, Mark White. He was named “Emerging Community Leader” at this year’s Spirit of Portland awards as well.

Ronald McDonald told us his “really big shoe” was in the cobbler’s shop this year, so he was happy to ride the parade route in this nifty Tesla!

Past “Spirit of Portland” Small Business Person, Richard Kiely of Home Run Graphics, is a sponsor of the parade – and is also once again the major sponsor of this year’s Portland Parks & Recreation’s “Movies in the Parks” program. His wife, Gail, is at the wheel of this shiny new Gresham Ford convertible.

Stepping along while providing lively tunes is the Robert Gray Middle School Band – coming to the parade from Hillsdale.

Always welcomed warmly in outer East Portland is Portland City Commissioner Amanda Fritz, RN.

(In red) In case you don’t recognize her, it’s Multnomah County Commissioner Judy Shiprack, marching with representatives of the Multnomah County Library.

Traditional “celebration lions” from Lee’s Association Lion Dance Team provide colorful entertainment along the parade route.

Smiling faces line the 44-block route along 82nd Avenue of Roses, as the parade passes.

Members of Lee’s Association Lion Dance Team also brought along their swirling, twirling 20-foot long dragon!

The sound of bagpipe music fills the air – Kells’ Pipe and Drum Corps steps lively as they play.

Perhaps the best known vehicles rolling in the parade from the Cinema Classics Car Club is this car, “Herbie, the Love Bug”.

The car in which he was scheduled to ride broke down early in the parade, but Portland City Commissioner Dan Saltzman caught a ride in this classic car.

It wouldn’t be a parade without a fire engine! Portland Fire & Rescue’s classic vehicle closes out this year’s 82nd Avenue of Roses Parade.

Parade sponsors were Eastport Plaza and SE Uplift – supported by Bank of the West, Washman, Inc., Home Run Graphics, Portland Community College, Pacific Power, Portland Rose Festival Foundation, Port of Portland, and The Support Group,

For more information about the 82nd Ave. of Roses Business Association, see their website: CLICK HERE.

© 2010 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News

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