Prepare to kick off your weekend with a slice of local tradition as the 18th Annual 82nd Avenue of Roses Parade is ready to unfurl its colors along the vibrant stretch of Southeast Portland. The streets are set to come alive on Saturday, April 27, from 9:30 a.m. to noon, with a procession that has become a mainstay in the community's annual calendar. Celebrating the spirit of the neighborhood, the parade, sponsored by the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) and presented by 82 Roses Community Enrichment Coalition, promises to be a family-friendly affair.

Community engagement is a centerpiece of this year's festivities, alongside the vibrant floats and lively marchers. PBOT's Building a Better 82nd team will take to the streets, clad in their signature t-shirts, to witness and actively engage with community members along the parade route. The organizers have invited locals and visitors alike to "spot us in our Building a Better 82nd t-shirts," a clear nod to the ongoing initiatives to foster a more connected and thriving 82nd Avenue.

The parade route begins at Eastport Plaza at SE 82nd Avenue and Francis Street. From there, it will proudly make its way north, turning the ordinary into the extraordinary with each step taken on 82nd Avenue. The colors and sounds will then pivot west onto SE Yamhill, marking a path toward the Montavilla neighborhood, where the procession will wrap up at 78th Avenue.

For those planning to join this annual tradition, the parade commencement is set at the intersection of SE 82nd and Francis Street. Revelers can catch the start or enjoy the spectacle from anywhere along the carefully mapped-out course, ensuring ample opportunity to partake in the community celebration. Portland city officials noted, "Members of our Building a Better 82nd team will also along the parade route talking with community members."