OK, I’m going to make a confession: I’m not a huge fan of the Rose Festival. I’ve lived in a Portland a long time. I’ve seen my share of drunken sailors come and go. Endured my share of traffic jams during parades.

Having said all that, I like that it’s part of the city. Every city should have at least one dusty century-old festival. For continuity, and to prove it has traditions. But mostly I love the dragon boats.

If you’ve never seen a dragon boat, they’re like these ornate-y dugout canoes with maybe 10 paddlers. Seeing them on the river is like spotting budding spring blossoms.

If you want to take a gander yourself, check out the races on June 7 and 8 near the Hawthorne Bridge. Teams from all over the world compete in heats of four about every 10 minutes. Wagering is optional.

Later,
Emily