April 14, 2004

The Portland Rose Festival Association selected Bill Schonely, former voice of the Portland Trail Blazers, as the Southwest Airlines Grand Floral Parade Grand Marshal.

"I've been to many Rose Festival parades, and I was absolutely flabbergasted to find out that I was named the Grand Marshal of this year's Grand Floral Parade,” said Bill Schonely. He added that the role as Grand Marshal is a wonderful responsibility that he will “especially enjoy.”

Ranked by USA Today as one of the top ten parades in the U.S., the Southwest Airlines Grand Floral Parade is the nation’s second-largest all floral parade, and Oregon’s largest, single day spectator event.

“With an event of this magnitude, Bill Schonley was a superior choice to be the Grand Marshal of the Southwest Airlines Grand Floral Parade,” said Ken Bartell, President of the Board of Directors. “Just like the parade, Bill is a Portland tradition.”

Schonely, who spent 30 years with Blazers broadcasting, was named Broadcaster of the Year and twice-named Sportscaster of the Year by the Oregon Association of Broadcasters. He currently hosts “Blazers Flashbacks” on radio and “Memorable Moments” on television.

Throughout his career, Schonely has supported numerous charitable causes within the Portland community. Preparations are underway for this year's parade, which takes place on Saturday, June 12. The parade Bill Schonely, page 2 of 2 will be telecast live on KOIN-TV from 10:00 a.m. to noon and re-broadcast from 8:00 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Reserved seating for inside and outside the Memorial Coliseum is still available. Go to www.rosefestival.org or Ticketmaster locations for more information.

The Rose Festival Association is actively seeking the stories of individuals who watch the parade along the 4.3-mile route and have met new friends or loved ones as a result. Those who have interesting parade stories to tell can email them to stories@rosefestival.org.