Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon invites you to join Portland's fitness parade - the Grand Floral Walk! This two- or four-mile fun walk travels the Grand Floral Parade route at 9:30 a.m. - before the parade - passing by nearly 400,000 spectators. Featuring a costume contest, a special parade viewing area for participants and souvenir pin for every walker, this event is certain to become a new tradition for your family and friends!

New this year - Rose Spirit Cheer!
Whether you're a high school cheerleading team, a cheer club, a former cheerleader, or just a raving Portland Rose Festival Fan - you can enter our Rose Spirit Cheer competition! Just gather your group of 2-12 participants and design an original cheer between 20-90 seconds that includes the words "Rose Spirit." Record your cheer, then upload your cheer video by May 28 to our contest website: www.oregonlive.com/sites/rosefestivalcheer/

Finalists will receive FREE ENTRY to the Regence Grand Floral Walk and perform their cheer on Walk morning, when the winners will be announced and prizes awarded. The winning team in the Established Cheer Team category will receive dinner for 12 at Old Spaghetti Factory Restaurant. Each member of the winning team in the Community Team will receive a gift certificate for one free Rose Meal, including beverage, at Elmer’s Restaurants.



Special Group Rates
Are you part of a nonprofit organization, club, or company? We encourage you to take advantage of our group registration rate! It’s your time to shine amidst the floral festivities of Grand Floral Parade day. Wear your group’s t-shirts and hats, wave balloons, or carry your nonprofit organization’s banner. You’ll enjoy the cheers of thousands of spectators - and maybe a few TV cameras!

Flower Power Decorating Contest
It’s Grand Floral Parade day, after all. What could be more appropriate than flowers? Walkers are encouraged to incorporate flowers into their attire or stroller for a chance to win great prizes!

ROUTE INFORMATION
Walkers should report to the formation area in Northwest Portland at NW 2nd and Flanders to check-in beginning at 7:30 a.m.. Then you will walk to the Memorial Coliseum at 9:20 a.m. to start the walk. The four-mile walk route is also the route of the 2010 Grand Floral Parade, leaving from the Memorial Coliseum. You can opt to do a two-mile portion of the course and exit and return to the formation area in northwest Portland, or you can walk the full four miles and enjoy a special parade viewing area near the end of the route. Please bring your own water bottle and other equipment to take you through a two- or four-mile walking event. There will be no water stations available on course.

WATCH THE PARADE
Once you have completed the course, you will have a chance to view the 2010 Grand Floral Parade at a special Walk viewing section near the finish SW 12th and Taylor streets.  Seating will be available on a first come, first served basis ONLY for walkers identified with a participant bib number.

SOUVENIRS
Every participant will receive a souvenir walk t-shirt and other special items on walk morning.

SUPPORT THE DOUGY CENTER
A portion of the proceeds from this event will benefit The Dougy Center in Portland.  The Dougy Center provides a safe and supportive place for children, teens, young adults and their families who are grieving a death to share their stories. They provide education, training and peer support groups.

PACKET PICK-UP AND START LOCATION
All registrants are required to come to packet pick-up on event morning, Sat., June 12 at NW 2nd and Flanders to receive bib number, t-shirt and formation instructions.  Packet pick-up will be open ONLY from 7:30 a.m. until 9:10 a.m.  Once you have your packet you will be directed on how to move to the official starting area at the Memorial Coliseum.

IMPORTANT RULES
Please be courteous to the parade participants and spectators. Contact with parade spectators is not allowed. Please do not walk back along the parade route to join your friends and family. The Portland Police Traffic Division must clear the parade route promptly following the Regence Grand Floral Walk. Walkers proceeding the wrong way may be removed from the route.
Please help us have a safe event. Wearing headphones is discouraged. Bicycles, dogs, skateboards, and in-line and roller skates are prohibited.

INFORMATION
Please call 503.227.2681, the Portland Rose Festival, for event updates.

WARM WEATHER ALERT AND WATER STATIONS
Be prepared for warm weather and high humidity. Pace yourself accordingly. Due to the nature of this walk route, water will be available at the start and finish areas, but NOT along the 4 mile route.  You must plan on bringing your own water bottle to carry with you throughout the event.