Grand Floral Parade

We have had so much rain and record cool temperatures that the news people are calling this month "Juneuary". But, the day of the Grand Floral Parade, it was 80 or so, and the sun was shining. We decided to try a new location this year, and it paid off. We moved about 2 blocks "downstream" on the parade route and found a spot right in front of the official "Bands Start Playing Here" sign. This was a great spot because all the bands would play right where we were and continue on to the judging about a block away. The floats weren't as impressive this year as they have been in the past. Just in case you're not familiar with this type of parade, it's way different than the floats in other parades that are draped with plastic and foam. The floats in the Grand Floral Parade must be decorated using plant material...flowers, leaves, branches, seeds, etc.

Not bad seats for literally walking up to the parade route 20 minutes prior to the start of the parade!Jourdan enjoyed seeing all the scouts marching in the parade to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Boy Scouts of America.

My favorite part of the parade every year is the final entry (which I forgot to photograph this year). If you've ever been to this parade, you know what I am talking about.....the last entry is a large team of street sweepers and trash trucks. So, as soon as the parade passes by, viewers have to pick up their trash and get it into bags (that are provided by the city before the parade begins) and get personal items picked up to avoid getting sprayed by the water hoses on the street sweepers. Portland claims to have the cleanest parade in the nation....yeah, you think? To top off the day, there were beautiful views of Mt. Hood and Mt. Saint Helens as we drove through town. I couldn't get a good picture of St. Helens from the car, but I got one of Mt. Hood. I love living here!

The video is for Grandpa....it's Clan Macleay, the local Scottish pipe band. They're pretty cool.