PORTLAND, OR (KPTV) -
First, it was the bright lights of the Starlight Parade. This coming weekend, it's the big one: the Rose Festival's Grand Floral Parade.
But on Wednesday, it was the kids' turn.
The oldest and largest children's parade in the nation, the Rose Festival Fred Meyer Junior Parade, took to the streets in Portland's Hollywood District.
For the first time, the parade was televised live. Meteorologists Mark Nelsen and Stephanie Kralevich were hosts of the one-of-a-kind event on FOX 12 and KPTV.com.
VIDEO: Miss the parade? Watch clips on the Rose Festival page
Despite cool and rainy conditions most of the week, the Junior Parade stayed dry - just as FOX 12's meteorologists expected.
The Junior Parade serves as an introduction for many Portlanders into what becomes a lifelong relationship with the Rose Festival.
"For me, this is what got me started with the Rose Festival," said Sue Bunday, president of the Rose Festival.
About 29 marching bands from elementary and middle schools in the greater Portland-Vancouver area marched the route and played their tunes. School groups, scout troops, children's organizations, dance teams and families also packed the Hollywood District for an afternoon of fun.
Ben Hobbs, now an auditor at a Fred Meyer store in Beaverton, said he, his children and grandchildren have all taken part in the parade in its long history in the Rose City.
"They marched in parades, helped make floats, we worked on floats, hung flowers, we've done it all," he said.
Fred Meyer partnered with the Junior Parade once again to give children a chance to shine.
"This is such an iconic event in Portland, and our customers and associates both attend it, volunteer at it, have their kids participate. It's a natural fit for us to be a part of this organization," said Amanda Ip, a spokeswoman for Fred Meyer stores.
For a map of the parade route, visit http://www.rosefestival.org/events/juniorparade/JP-ParadeRouteMap.pdf.
Band results
Band Sweepstakes
Covington Middle School- Vancouver, WA
Open Class (100 +)
First Place - Frontier Middle School- Vancouver, WA
Second Place - Hockinson Middle School - Brush Prairie, WA
Third Place - Highland Park Middle School - Beaverton, OR
A Class (99 or less)
First Place - Maple Grove Middle School- Battle Ground, WA
Second Place - Sherwood Middle School - Sherwood, OR
Third Place - Tukes Valley Middle School- Battle Ground, WA
Dance/Drill Results
Baton
First Place - Portland Kelly Kadets
Dance/Drill Juvenile
First Place - Elite Dance Studio Performing Team
Second Place - Beaumont Cheerleaders
Third Place - Jackie's Gymnastics and Acrobatics
Community Entry Awards
Float Sweepstakes
Camp Fire Rock 'n' Roses
Major Floats
First Place - Multnomah Co. Library
Minor Floats
First Place- Rockin Roses Diner
Second Place - Rolling Stems
Third Place - Grease Lightening
Bikes
First Place- BMX Team Oregon, Emily
Second Place - BMX Team Oregon, Mallory
Third Place - BMX Team Oregon, Devyn
Bikes, Trikes, Big Wheels
First Place - Broadway Medical
Second Place -Alphabet Soup All American Girls
Third Place - Rockin Cousins
Wagons, Strollers, Misc.
First Place- Bonnie Davey
Second Place - Patrick Classen
Third Place - Jill MacDonald
Costumed Groups
First Place- Human Rock 'n' Roses
Second Place - Keep Portland Weird
Third Place - Having Fun in Portland
Costumed Individuals
First Place- Ashe Hardigg
Second Place - Kate Loop
Third Place - Susan Loop
International Groups
First Place - IQ Preschool
Second Place - NAYA
Third Place - Swedish Rosebuds
Skateboards, In-Line Skates, Unicycles
First - Earl Boyles Circus Club
Second - Lake Oswego Unicycle Club
Pets
First Place- Melinda Hickey
Second Place - Rhonda Stuart
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