Portland's jam-packed summer schedule commenced this week with the city's famous, annual Rose Festival. Huge crowds are flooding the Waterfront. Parade floats drift through the downtown streets. Fireworks fill the night sky. And I've been at home, flat on my back with a rag draped over my face.

For me, summer began on a sour note – I kicked it off with a day of grueling physical labor in blistering heat. With my albino complexion and severe allergy to real work, I should have known better. Two days later, I'm just starting to feel steady on my feet. The room is still spinning, but it's slowing down. And I'm eating solid foods again.

But I wasn't about to let a little sunstroke ruin my summer! The Rose Festival extends through the entire month of June, so last night I went out to see what all the excitement was about. I saw what is probably the Festival's most eclectic event – The Starlight Parade and Run. This event is a real spectacle. The parade featured two dozen marching bands, the best of which were the "Snare Kilt-Clad Kell's and Irish Pipes and Drums" and the "Snare-and-Cymbal-Smashing Drum Corps." The Parade also featured a variety of all-terrain sculptures. There were human-powered rides from da Vinci Days (the Corvallis-based festival of art, science and technology); a highlight was the 2,400-pound, eight-person-operated "Maltese Fulcrum." Low point: "Toga Run." I won't go into details.

At one time Portland's streets were lined with rose bushes. Hence Portland received its nickname, "The City of Roses." The Rose Festival began in 1907, as a small affair of floral floats and fireworks. Now the month-long event attracts literally millions of viewers. A highlight of the festival is the Grande Floral Parade. More than 500,000 spectators line up along the 4.3 mile-long parade route to witness this spectacle, making it the second-largest floral parade in North America and the single largest spectator event in Oregon. The parade is syndicated to more than 30 million households all across the country.

Other popular Rose Festival attractions include the Pepsi Carnival Rides (which feature over 80 amusements), the Festival Air Show and the Harbor Boat Race. Another favorite event is the Festival’s Air Show, which takes place on August 16th. This year’s show, "Freedom Takes Flight," promises to surpass past performances. Highlights will include the Air Force Thunderbirds and the spectacular F-16 Fighting Falcon. Besides air aerobatics and the exhibitions of military technology, the show also features interactive ground exhibits and amazing ground acts.

The Portland summer is looking bright. The Rose Festival is just getting under way. The sun seems to be outbattling the rain. I think that next time I decide to spend a day in the sun, I'll slap on some sunscreen so I don't miss another day.

For a list of all The Rose Festival events, check out:

http://www.rosefestival.org/planner.htm

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