Prehistoric Monsters Meet Media at Portland Rose Festival WaMu Waterfront Village

Opening Day Ceremonies include: Tall Sailing Ships, Busker Parade and Rex Oregonus.

Portland, OR (PRWEB) May 17, 2008 -- The Portland Rose Festival opens the gates early, Thursday May 29 at 1 P.M. for a special media preview of WaMu Waterfront Village's new feature exhibit Dinosaurs Jurassic Journey, the latest and greatest Dinosaur exhibit to visit Portland.

Led by the Rose Festival's 'Jurassic Joe,' invited media get a behind-the-scenes look at the new touring Dinosaur exhibit before it opens to the public. Meet exhibit creator, designer and builder Sherm Byers of Burning Tree Casting Company and learn first hand the science and technology that helped create this incredible traveling exhibition including three brand new dinosaurs making their public debut at the Rose Festival.

Opening Ceremonies:
Opening Day Ceremonies follow at 2 P.M. with the arrival of the Tall Sailing Ships Boat Parade rattling the Rose City with the traditional full Cannon salute from the middle of the Willamette River. Members of the Antique and Classic Boat Society join the Portland Fire Boat in welcoming the return of the Lady Washington and Hawaiian Chieftan for a third year of dockside visits and battle sail tours.

In officially opening the Festival, President Mark McGirr will make a short statement and reveal what prominent Portlander is the mysterious Rex Oregonus, chosen by the Rose Festival to wear the traditional crown for his contributions to the people and city of Roses.

Busker Parade:
Immediately following the official opening the Rose Festival princesses lead musicians, clowns, entertainers and volunteers along the sidewalks of downtown Portland; heralding the opening of the festival and beginning eleven fun-filled days of parades, carnival and roses.

The Portland Rose Festival runs Thursday, May 29 through Sunday, June 8. The Northwest's biggest single day celebration Saturday June 7 just got bigger with the Queens Coronation presented by Pacific Power at 8:30 A.M followed by the brand new Regence Grand Floral Walk at 9:30 A.M. and the festival's signature event the KeyBank Grand Floral Parade at 10 A.M.

Tickets are on sale now for all three events at the Memorial Coliseum Saturday, June 7. Reserved seats are available both inside and outside the Coliseum, prices are $30 and $25. More information online at http://www.jurassicjoe.com or purchase tickets on-line at http://www.rosefestival.org.

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