Blessing of the Festival to Introduce New Rose Festival Court

The 2019 Rose Festival Court will be introduced to the public for the first time Saturday at the annual Blessing of the Festival and Memorial Service. The event introduces the newly selected princesses and honors those members of the Royal Rosarians, Portland Rose Festival Foundation, Portland Rose Society and the Blueback Submarine Council who have passed the previous year. Following the blessing there will be a Rose Planting ceremony and reception.

This event will take place at 1 p.m. April 13 at Piedmont Presbyterian Church, 5760 NE Cleveland Ave.

This annual tradition marks the beginning of the Rose Festival season, introduces the 2019 Court and pays respect to honored members that have recently passed.

Among those present will be Rosarians prime minister Don Thacker, Portland Rose Festival President Teri Bowles-Atherton, Portland Rose Society President Joyce Hemmerling and the 2019 Rose Festival Court.