The Portland Rose Festival Foundation

Portland Rose Festival (Images of America) The Portland Rose Festival Foundation

At the end of the Lewis and Clark Exposition in 1905, the president of the Portland Street Fair and Carnival Association, E. W. Rowe, presented the idea of an annual festival to Portland mayor Harry Lane. From that idea came the first Rose Festival, called the Rose Carnival and Fiesta, held June 20-22, 1907. It was hailed as a huge success. ""There is no reason in the world why Portland should not hold a rose festival every year,"" remarked the Oregonian on June 21. ""Everyone will be happier and better all the rest of the year for the festival of roses."" And indeed, that has been the case. From just a three-day event, the Rose Festival has expanded over the years to include many activities covering several months every spring and summer.