FIVE-STAR FESTIVAL TAPS ALL-STAR BLAZER AS GRAND MARSHAL

PORTLAND, OR - Portland Trail Blazer and NBA All-Star Brandon Roy will serve as Grand Marshal of the KeyBank Grand Floral Parade, the premier event of the 2008 Portland Rose Festival, on Saturday, June 7. President Mark McGirr, Executive Director Jeff Curtis and KeyBank Senior Vice President John Nolting were on hand at the Rose Garden Arena on Tuesday night at the final home game of the season to make the announcement.
 
"We thought it was a perfect choice," said Mark McGirr, president of the Portland Rose Festival Foundation. "We're a World Champion festival and Brandon Roy leads a future World Champion NBA team, our own Trail Blazers!" McGirr went on to say, "Brandon represents both excellence and sportsmanship, qualities we can all embrace. The Blazers and the Rose Festival are both winners and both institutions of the Rose City."
 
After being selected sixth in the 2006 NBA Draft, Brandon Roy made an immediate impact on the Trail Blazers and was named the 2006-07 NBA Rookie of the Year. In his second year with Portland, the 6-6 guard was named co-captain of the Trail Blazers along with teammate LaMarcus Aldridge. Roy, 23, bested his outstanding freshman campaign this season by being named a 2008 NBA All-Star and helping rekindle the spirit of Blazermania.
 
"I am very honored to have been asked to be the Grand Marshal," said Roy. "It will be a thrill for me and my family to ride in the parade and greet all the fans of the Rose Festival and Trail Blazers."
 
The Portland Trail Blazers, members of the National Basketball Association (NBA), were founded in 1970, and purchased by Paul G. Allen in 1988. The team’s rich heritage includes 26 playoff appearances, an NBA championship in 1977 and a commitment to community service. With a corporate mission to "Make It Better," the Trail Blazers strive to help children and their families throughout Oregon and southwest Washington learn, play, grow, get involved and live healthier lives.
 
The Trail Blazers are the first and only pro sports franchise to receive the prestigious National Points of Light Award for excellence in corporate community service. For more information on the trailblazers visit www.trailblazers.com.
 
Portland Rose Festival celebrated its Centennial Celebration in 2007 and was named the Best Festival in the World by the International Festivals and Events Association in an awards ceremony last September in Atlanta, Georgia. The KeyBank Grand Floral Parade is ranked in the top five of parades around the country by both IFEA and USA Today.
 
Tickets are on sale now for the 2008 KeyBank Grand Floral Parade at the Memorial Coliseum Saturday, June 7. Reserved seats are available both inside and outside the Coliseum; prices are $30 and $25.  Purchase tickets on-line at www.rosefestival.org, the Rose Quarter Box Office or charge by phone at 1-877-789-ROSE (7673).  For group orders of 10 or more tickets, please contact Carol Ross at the Portland Rose Festival Foundation, (503) 227-2681.

5/9/2008