432-2022

Whereas, in 1905 Portland Mayor Harry Lane called for an annual festival to put Portland on the map and brand it as the "City of Roses"; and

Whereas, the Portland Rose Festival was created in 1907 with a mission to drive economic activity for the region, celebrate Portland's incredible Rose climate, and provide citizens with a common celebration; and

Whereas, the Portland Rose Festival has been produced by the nonprofit Portland Rose Festival Foundation for 115 years as an annual gift to the City of Portland throughout the evolution and growth of the “City of Roses,” and in 2010 was adopted as Portland’s Official Festival; and

Whereas, during two years of global pandemic in 2020 and 2021, the Portland Rose Festival continued to keep hope alive by producing programs like the Rose Festival Court, the Queen’s Coronation and the Porch Parade; and

Whereas, the Portland Rose Festival continues to provide an opportunity for people from all backgrounds, experiences, and cultures to join together to celebrate Portland's rich diversity and common humanity; and

Whereas, the Portland Rose Festival has returned, as promised, to its former size and scope with the Rose City Reunion; and on this day in the presence of the Rose Festival Court, the 2022 Rose Festival will be a springboard for Portland's continued recovery in the weeks and months ahead.

Now, therefore, I, Ted Wheeler, Mayor of the City of Portland, Oregon, the “City of Roses,” do hereby proclaim May 27, 2022 through June 12, 2022 to be the

Rose City Reunion

in Portland and encourage all residents to come out of their homes and participate in these events celebrating our city.