Dukey1

Am wondering when the best time during the festival really is. I assume there is some sort of parade and if so is that worthwhile? We may also try to spend a couple days at Cannon Beach as we have always wanted to go to the Oregon coast. We will have a rental car and about a week time-wise.

Any suggestions are appreciated and I am going to make reservations as early as possible.

Thanks.

tomfuller

Final dates have not been set yet. Based on 2012, the second weekend of June would be logical.
Enjoy the Astoria Column, Haystack Rock, Cape Meares Lighthouse and the Tillamook cheese factory.

NewbE

Do you have interest in wine, Dukey? They make some gorgeous stuff out there, and I would be happy to list some of the ones we liked on our trip last month. Cannon Beach is beautiful!

Dukey1

Actually, Tom, the Rose Festival website already has the final dates listed (May 20-June 17) so I am working within that particular time frame. Perhaps you are saying that the dates of specific events have not yet been decided?

Also trying to figure out the best place to stay in Portland so we can use public transport while in the city.

NewbE, thank you and yes I would appreciate your recommendations.

Fodorite018

There are 2 parades that are HUGE draws for the festival. The Grand Floral Parade and the Starlight Parade. People camp out for spots along the way, it is such a big deal here.

I do not know the dates of the festival yet, but it is usually held in early June and it typically rains during the festival. It is a running joke here that we do not need any official forecasts since it almost always rains during that time

As for places to stay, there are lots of nice hotels right in downtown. Even though we live here, we like to stay over for special events and our goto place is the Monaco. Great hotel, fantastic location for walking all over downtown as well as being near the streetcar, and very helpful staff.

As mentioned, wine is a big thing here. If you can make the trip over Memorial Day Weekend, that is one of two times during the year that most wineries hold open houses and it is a HUGE draw. We live in the heart of this area and visit wineries often. There are over 200 in this region alone, and pinot noir is king here. There are others, but this is the draw.

Enjoy your time here and if you need anything else, just ask.

Fodorite018

BTW, Cannon Beach hotels fill up far in advance, and many places require at least a 2 night stay. I would suggest booking a place now and then working the other stuff around that.

Dukey1

Thanks for the help and recommendations; appreciated.

Bobmrg

Following up on mms' mention of rain, we have found it well worth the cost to pop for seats in the covered area (don't know what to call it) at the beginning of the parade. No rain, of course, and a much better view than you get by standing on the sidewalk with a thousand others.

Dukey1

Thank you very much for mentioning that issue.

5alive

I normally don't weigh in on the Oregon board because it mms does such a great job, but I am going to suggest an alternative...

If you buy the reserved tickets, it would be far easier to get to the Memorial Coliseum that morning if you stay the night before on the inner East Side. The reason is, tons of people take the MAX to the parade, and at a certain point, they just shut down the MAX lines. You could take a local bus or even walk if you stay on the East Side. Look in the Irvington area just off Broadway and you will find some B&Bs. There is also a Courtyard by Marriott on the parade route. (My recollection is that the hotel itself isn't really good to view the parade from.)

There is also a Red Lion Hotel/Convention Center right on the parade route, and as I recall their parking garage roof was a great height for viewing the parade. You would need to call them to find out what the amenities are (overhead tarps for the rain?) and if you have to pay extra to get a decent seat.

But I do agree that buying reserved tickets is probably your best bet for parade viewing. There are certain spots where the bands will ALWAYS play and certain spots where they NEVER play--don't ask me how I know. Ask when you buy your tickets, but the reserved spots should have bands playing.

Btw: The Grand Floral Parade is famous because every viewable inch of the floats have to be covered with natural materials--flower petals, grasses, even grains, but they can't just be painted metal or plastic. It's a long painstaking process.