Pittock and neighbors contributed roses from their gardens to decorate floats, wagons, people and horses for the parade.

For a brief period starting in 1997 they were officially called "ambassadors",[11] but the term "princesses" was reinstated in January 2007.

Starting in 2009, the Rose Festival Foundation opened one place on the court to someone from a school outside the Portland city limits.

The first African American driver (escort) was Sam Whitney from Benson High School in 1954.

[2] The festival's annual Junior Parade takes place in the city's Hollywood district.

[13] During Fleet Week, ships from United States Navy, Coast Guard, Army Corps of Engineers and the Royal Canadian Navy dock along the seawall of Tom McCall Waterfront Park.

The festival also hosts the Starlight Parade, a fireworks display, and carnival rides along the Portland waterfront, among other events.