On the heels of the successful Lewis & Clark Exhibition of 1905, then-Mayor Harry Lane decided the city should have a festival of roses, which is where the idea for the Rose Festival was born. In those early years, horse-drawn floats, aquatic events, and fireworks highlighted the Festival.

Following the 1907 event, a group of 10 businessmen formally organized the Portland Rose Festival as a non-profit civic enterprise to plan and finance the annual city celebration.

The 100th annual Portland Rose Festival is expected to draw tourists from all over the world eager to enjoy the colorful parades, fireworks, amusement park rides, Dragonboat racing and many other special events that the festival is famous for.

(Portland Rose Festival)

A colorful float in the 2005 Grand Floral Parade.

Event organizers said the festival generates more than $80 million each year for the region's economy. Attended by over two million people in recent years, the festival is one of the top three most highly decorated events by the International Festivals & Events Association.

  Watch video and photo highlights of Rose Fest

Rose Fest kicks off with a bang during the WaMu Fireworks Spectacular over the WaMu Waterfront Village, beginning at nightfall on Friday, June 1st.

More on Fireworks Spectacular

The next big event of the week is the Starlight Parade, which will light up the night sky on Saturday, June 2nd, starting at 8:30 p.m. in downtown Portland.

More on Starlight Parade

The Starlight Parade is the second-largest illuminated parade in the country and includes about 100 entries, with high school marching bands, floats, local businesses and the One More Time Around Again Marching Band, a particular fan favorite, adding color and excitement to the annual festivities.

More on Junior Parade

The Junior Parade is much smaller, but still a strong fan favorite. Thousands of children will fill the streets of Northeast Portland, many decked out in costumes or with their pets, on Wednesday, June 6th at 1 p.m. The largest children's parade in the nation, the Fred Meyer Junior Parade usually draws more than 10,000 young stars who are cheered on by crowds of spectators as they wind through Portland's Hollywood District.

More on Grand Floral Parade

And the excitement doesn’t end there. The famous Grand Floral Parade will bring the smell of roses to Portland on Saturday, June 9th. Captivating generations since 1907, this internationally distinguished parade has been recognized by the International Festival & Events Association and USA Today as one of the top five parades in the nation.

More on Rose Queen's Coronation

A new Rose Festival queen will be crowned just before the start of the Grand Floral Parade and folks can also watch it on live television, on KGW Northwest Newschannel 8, at about 9:15 a.m., on Saturday, June 9th.

More on Fleet Week

Fleet week is another popular tradition during the Rose Festival. The ships have been chugging into Portland for nearly 70 years. The ships will arrive in Portland on Wednesday, June 6 and depart on Sunday, June 10. Public tours will be offered as well for people who want to get a closer look at and inside the ships.

More on Waterfront Village

Entire families enjoy the carnival rides that are a repeat-attraction along the Willamette River. The WaMu Waterfront Village offers more than 400 hours of classic family-oriented entertainment, a variety of food menus, and thrilling rides for the kid in everyone.