The 19th annual 82nd Avenue of Roses Parade returns this year on April 26th from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., featuring many returning and several new participants. The event organizers will scale back the route this year, ending just short of Montavilla at SE Clinton Street. This change helps shorten the marching distance for people walking in the parade and reduces the operational complications of crossing SE Division Street.
The volunteer-led organization, 82 Roses Community Enrichment Coalition, produces the parade each year, having taken over the operation from the 82nd Avenue Business Association. Traditionally, the parade starts from the Eastport Plaza Shopping Center and ends on SE Yamhill Street. This year, the procession will start from SE Bush Street along the northern frontage of the Eastport retail complex and march less than half the previous distance north, ending right before SE Division Street. People can gather along the SE 82nd Avenue parade route for a view of the marchers and procession vehicles. However, with the parade no longer ending at SE Yamhill Street, Montavilla spectators will need to walk south past Portland Community College’s Southeast campus to watch the various groups walk, dance, or drive down the road. This change will upend planned street parties and traditional post-parade events for some people along the discontinued route. Parade organizer Nancy Chapin explained that it was a hard choice for the group to shorten the route. She appreciated the support of SE Yamhill residents over nearly two decades, but after three years of participants requesting a shortened parade, she had to make the change. She said youth marching bands and some older walkers found the length prohibitively long. Also, attendance along SE 82nd Avenue north of Division Street was substantially less than other segments.
Ken Turner started work on parade planning in 2006 when he served as the Eastport Plaza Manager and 82nd Avenue Business Association President. In 2007, the first event marched along its route and quickly grew into a significant community event over the following years. It has been 19 years since the first event; however, they have had to skip the tradition four times during its run. Planned protests and threats to safety caused organizers to cancel the parade in 2017. Leaders halted the in-person event during the pandemic, taking the parade online for 2022. The traditional parade returned in 2023 to a crowd ready to see its revival. Volunteers bringing this East Portland event to fruition believe the parade shows appreciation for the diverse population that defines 82nd Avenue by celebrating the community’s art, music, and dance.
The 2007 founding parade committee will be the Grand Marshal of this year’s event. Some featured participants include The Lee’s Association Dragon and Lion Dance, the Last Regiment of Syncopated Drummers, elected officials, schools, and community groups. People will see Friesian Horses, classic military vehicles, and other interesting automobiles transporting participants. This year the Impalas Car Club Portland Chapter will hold its parade day show in Clackamas County, hosted by Krispy Kreme at 9950 SE 82nd Avenue, starting at noon.
According to Chapin, the new short route will likely continue into future years. People looking for a front-row seat can volunteer as parade traffic monitors. One or two volunteers control every crossing along the 82nd Avenue route, and staff coordinators still need people. Volunteers can complete a form at 82rosescec.com.
Disclosure: This article’s author serves on the 82nd Avenue Business Association board with Nancy Chapin, who organizes the 82nd Avenue of Roses Parade with members of 82 Roses Community Enrichment Coalition.
