forgive me, erin/the rose festival demands its due

I swear I didn't mean to post right after you (again) and bump your post from the top of the page. By all means, readers, scroll down for Erin's new post.

The Rose Festival begins tomorrow. I have to admit that I've never been quite as enthralled with Portland's big event as it seems a Portlander should be. Sure, I came to it late. I've been here less than five years, so I didn't grow up with Rose Ambassadors (and Princesses and Queens). I'm flummoxed by Royal Rosarians, though I appreciate their spiffy suits. And, as much as I love the fact that Portland holds all of its big festivals downtown on the waterfront, I have to admit that I don't enjoy festivals: I don't play the games or buy the junk and I don't believe in portable rides. No way.

Despite all of these things, I'm excited about the Rose Festival starting this week and hope to check out a few of the events:

• Saturday is the Starlight Parade, which I love.
  
• I'm intrigued by the Dragon Boat races. I've never seen them, but maybe this will be the year I finally check them out.
  
• The Rose Show is inside Lloyd Center. What a hoot!
• Also, I love that my commute takes me through the Festival of Flowers in Pioneer Square every day.
  

And, Erin, this one's for you: the Rose Festival is "consistently ranked 'cleanest & greenest' festival in America."

And, one last link: the Rose Festival blog.

So, tell me, which which Rose Festival events will you be checking out?