Historic Rose Festival Moment as Daughter of Queen Becomes Queen

Historic Rose Festival Moment as Daughter of Queen Becomes Queen

by | Jun 20, 2021 | Events, Features, News

Portland, OR. Lilianna “Lili” Rosebrook from Valley Catholic High School was crowned the 2021 Rose Festival Queen on June 18th. Deanna Connell, Lili’s mom, represented St. Mary’s Academy on the 1989 Rose Festival Court and was chosen that year’s queen.

Lili poses with her family including her mother, 1989 Rose Festiva Queen Deanna Connell, in navy blue. When asked on her Court application to name her favorite place to visit in Portland, Lili Rosebrook mentioned the International Rose Test Garden in Washington Park, where she and her family would visit her mother’s signature plaque on the Queen’s Walk.

Lilianna “Lili” Rosebrook learns she has been honored with the crown.

2021 Queen’s Coronation returns to Washington Park Amphitheater and the International Rose Test Garden. Hosted by the Royal Rosarians, the Pageantry of Rosaria included: The Annual Honorary Knighting Ceremony, the Queen’s Coronation, the Queen’s Plaque Laying Ceremony and the Queen’s Garden Party. 

Respecting current conditions, the Princesses families, and Rose Festival and Rosarian members had plenty of space in the arena to safely participate in the open-air ceremonies.

Queen Lili would like to pursue a degree in chemical engineering and then go on to medical school. She is a member of the National Honor Society and an AP Scholar who loves running, cooking, singing and dancing with her team. Lili showcased her language skills during her official Court introduction and spoke fondly of cooking traditional Cuban dishes with her grandmother.

Inspired by her dad Philip Rosebrook, who suffers from Multiple Sclerosis, Lili has volunteered as a fundraiser the National Multiple Sclerosis Society where she was honored with the “Bright Star of the Year” award in 2018 after raising $25,000 through the Bike MS campaign. “The National MS Society has had a profound impact on my life,” says Lili.

The Rose Festival Queen serves for a full year and will represent Rose Festival at special events and appearances throughout the year. The Rose Festival Court program awards a $3,500 scholarships to each Princess, generously provided by The Randall Group. The program promotes community outreach and volunteerism and perpetuates an appreciation for Rose Festival history and tradition. Court members are offered networking opportunities through the Unitus Community Credit Union mentorship program, which assigns a female executive mentor to each young woman. Queen Lili’s Unitus Community Credit Union Mentor is Megan Snyder, Assistant Vice President of Loan Operations.

From Rose Festival:

The Portland Rose Festival Foundation is grateful for the vital financial support provided by our five Premier Sponsors: Spirit Mountain Casino, Alaska Airlines, Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon, Fred Meyer, and Portland General Electric.

A special presentation of the 2021 Queen’s Coronation will be broadcast on FOX 12 Oregon and FOX12+, on Sunday, June 20, at 4:00 p.m.

The Portland Rose Festival Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that serves families and individuals with programs and events that promote the arts, education and volunteerism. We value environmental responsibility, diversity, patriotism and our historic & floral heritage.

For more information www.RoseFestival.org

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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/PortlandRoseFestival/videos

Oregon Zoolala Celebrates Party Animals

Oregon Zoolala Celebrates Party Animals

by | Jul 30, 2012 | Events, Features | 1 comment

Portland, July 21st. The Zoolala benefit party raised nearly $150,000 to support the important animal welfare, conservation, education and sustainability programs at the core of the Oregon Zoo’s mission. OZF Board Member Campbell Kidd, Mike Clark, OZF Board Member Tracey Clark, and OZF Director Jani Iverson enjoyed the event.

Seattle-based painting performance artist Jimmy Gersen painted two original pieces during the event that were auctioned off to benefit the Oregon Zoo.

Seattle-based painting performance artist Jimmy Gersen painted two original pieces during the event that were auctioned off to benefit the Oregon Zoo.

More than 700 zoo aficionados turned out for the charity benefit. A sold-out VIP reception featured a champagne ride on the zoo’s iconic train to the Great Northwest and patio of the new state-of-the-art Veterinary Medical Center. Signature drinks and sample plates from generous eateries tempted palates as Seattle-based performance painting artist Jimmy Gersen created works of art to be auctioned off later in the evening.

Summer soiree blends fun, fundraising for Oregon Zoo supporters

Summer soiree blends fun, fundraising for Oregon Zoo supporters.

The party got into full swing on the zoo’s concert lawn area. Guests tried their luck at the Monte Carlo tables and collected their winnings in the marketplace. For those who liked groovin’, the Tara Williamson Quartet and Beatles-through-the-ages band Apple Jam provided plenty of fodder for happy feet .

Of course, the animals weren’t left out of the fun. The zoo’s famous elephants, orangutans and sun bears were among the wildlife who stayed up late to enjoy a few enriching activities of their own!

From the Oregon Zoo:

We owe a great deal of thanks to everyone who came out to support the zoo, to those who donate to help create a better future for wildlife, to the zoo’s invaluable corps of volunteers, to all the vendors who served guests and to the event sponsors: Spirit Mountain Casino, Ray and Karolette Peterson, NW Natural, The Standard, Nike, Lease Crutcher Lewis, PLACE, KPFF Consulting Engineers, Jane Buchan and Jim Driscoll, Portland Monthly, KEX, Chateau St. Michelle, Deschutes Brewery, New Deal Distillery and DRY Soda.