The iconic celebration of civic pride, creative expression and just plain fun known as the Portland Rose Festival is back to its full itinerary this year. It's been a part of the cultural life of the area for more than a century. The festival had to be vastly scaled down in 2020 and 2021 because of the pandemic, but has only been canceled twice in its 115 year history. Events include three parades, the Spring Rose Show, fleet week and what’s known as CityFair at the Tom McCall Waterfront park, with games, rides, concerts and more. The Rose Festival officially kicks off Friday, May 27. But several events are scheduled for Thursday, including free public performance by the Oregon Symphony. The Rose Festival officially runs through June 11, but many related events are scheduled throughout that month. We learn more about this iconic event from past president Leslie Goodlow, who has been attending and helping organize it since she first moved to the city as a child in the early 1970s.