The city of Portland was beautified just a bit more than usual this past weekend as the 2009 Grand Floral Parade made its way through town. This year’s event was mostly rain free and also marked the second year of the city’s new sidewalk taping statute. In past years parade enthusiasts taped off sections of sidewalks along the parade route days ahead of time and then returned to those spots on the morning of the parade. As of 2008, the city imposed strict rules that prohibited people from reserving spots along the parade route without also being present.

The parade featured 15 floats, 112 horses and 19 marching bands. Like the famous Pasadena Rose Parade, floats in Portland’s Grand Floral parade are decorated entirely with flowers and other organic items. The floats in this year’s parade feature and estimated 131,000 flowers. Float award winners include Reser’s Fine Foods “A Bridge to Communities” which won the Most Outstanding Float sweepstakes award and St. Mary’s Academy “150 Years of Educating Women” that won the official 1st Place Grand Prize.

The Rose Festival crowned it’s Queen before the parade on Saturday, giving the crown to Rachel Seeman of Grant High School. Rachel is one of fifteen young women from area high schools that comprise the Rose Festival Court. Rachel will participate in other Rose Festival activities throughout the month of June, along with the rest of the court. Each young woman has been awarded a $3,500 college scholarship. Rachel plans to use hers as she earns a degree in medicine.