Know what to expect before heading to the combined CareOregon Grand Floral Starlight Parade on Saturday, June 6
TriMet is once again helping thousands of people travel to the Rose Festival without worrying about traffic, parking or any of the thornier issues that accompany gridlock. And this year there’s a doozy of a new one, with regular gas prices averaging roughly $5.42 per gallon in the Portland Metro area.
As the official transportation partner of the Rose Festival, TriMet is proud to be a part of your travel plans. We’ll make your trips a breeze — and affordable!— with simple-to-plan rides to and from Downtown Portland. Whether heading to CityFair, catching fireworks or lining up early for a parade route spot, riding TriMet remains the easiest way to experience the Rose Festival.
The first official day of the Rose Festival is Friday, May 22. That’s the kickoff with the big fireworks show over the Willamette River at 9:50 p.m. That evening is also when CityFair opens at Tom McCall Waterfront Park. This annual fair, with classic carnival attractions and family fun, runs on three consecutive weekends: May 22-24, May 29-June 31 and June 5-7.
Plan ahead
All MAX lines and multiple bus lines provide direct service to Downtown Portland, making it easy to get within a short walk of Waterfront Park and the festival’s attractions. To plan your trips in advance, visit trimet.org.
Riders should also plan for the start and end of Fleet Week, when incoming and outgoing vessels will require bridge lifts that will affect service. Ships will arrive on Tuesday, June 2, and depart by noon on Monday, June 8.
Adjusted service for CareOregon Grand Floral Starlight Parade
For the first time, the Grand Floral Parade and the Starlight Parade will be combined into a single event on Saturday, June 6 — the CareOregon Grand Floral Starlight Parade.
Riders should expect some MAX disruptions, detoured buses and additional travel time as large crowds gather. Even with the changes, people attending the parades will be able to get to and from Downtown using TriMet service, including shuttle buses, regular bus service or MAX Orange and Yellow lines. Planning ahead, knowing what to expect and allowing extra time will help ensure trips run smoothly.
From 5:20 – 10:30 p.m.
- MAX Blue and Red Line trains will not operate between Providence Park MAX Station and Rose Quarter Transit Center.
Shuttle buses will replace MAX service between Providence Park and Rose Quarter Transit Center, with stops at Northwest 5th Avenue and Glisan Street for buses heading to Providence Park, and at Northwest 5th Avenue and Everett Street for buses heading to the Rose Quarter.
- MAX Green Line trains will only operate between Clackamas Town Center Transit Center and Gateway/NE 99th Ave Transit Center.
For trips farther west, including to Downtown, transfer to a MAX Blue or Red Line train or a bus at the Gateway/NE 99th Ave Transit Center. Those who have transferred to a Blue or Red Line train will need to transfer again at the Rose Quarter.
- MAX Orange and Yellow Line trains will operate, but they may experience delays through Downtown. We encourage riders to plan extra time.
Bus lines 12-Barbur/Sandy, 15-Belmont/NW 23rd, 16-Front Ave/St Helens Rd, 19-Woodstock/Glisan, 20-Burnside/Stark and 63-Washington Park/SW 6th will be detoured on June 6.
You can skip the cost and hassle of parking Downtown by starting your trip at one of TriMet’s many Park & Rides. Riders can leave their cars behind and take a bus or MAX to the festivities.
Remember to tap your Hop card or contactless bankcard every time you board. Each rider must use a different card when paying by tap. We encourage riders to use passes they may already have through work or school. Many employers provide transit passes, and Portland Public Schools students can ride with their free passes. Children ages 6 and younger also ride for free, and other youth under 17 ride at reduced prices.
We suggest that you arrive early and expect larger crowds. Before you go, check trimet.org/alerts.
A historic legacy
The origins of the Rose Festival are linked to Portland’s 1905 Lewis and Clark Centennial Exposition, a massive event where over a million people visited a city adorned with thousands of roses. By 1907, the celebration became an annual event, evolving into the renowned festival of pageantry and parades we enjoy today.
TriMet is proud to have supported this long-standing tradition since our inception in 1969. It has attracted generations of Portlanders and visitors alike, enduring wars, recessions and even a pandemic-era pause.
If you have questions about traveling during the Rose Festival, contact TriMet Customer Service at support.trimet.org, or call or text 503-238-7433 (RIDE).