Royal Rosarians

Who will take the best photo?

Here’s a bit of Rosarian education to answer a question we get asked a lot.

What do the cape colors mean?

Red: Appointed Council (board of directors). There are 3 red capes each year, and the Prime Minister selects 3 Rosarians to be the “red capes”. These Council members are the “rose planting team” and have speaking parts each time we plant a rose (about 35 times a year). They have some other assignments for events that keep them busy all year.

Green: Elected Council. There are 8 green capes and these members are in charge of bigger events and have more involved duties throughout the program year.

Purple: Executive Council. There are 2 purple capes and they have already served a minimum of 2 years as a green cape. The purple cape means they are in line to be Prime Minister, and they are planning events for their year. These are our liaisons to the Portland Rose Festival and the Portland Rose Society.

White: There is only 1 white cape and the person wearing it is our Prime Minister. This is a one-time position, meaning you only serve as PM once, and you don’t serve as a red or green cape anymore.

Fancy gold (with shoulder strap and “jeweled” piping): Royal Regent. There is only one of these capes and it signifies that the person served as Prime Minister the preceding year. It is another one-time position.

Less-fancy gold (no shoulder strap): Duke or Duchess of the Realm of Rosaria. There are around 25 living Dukes and Duchesses of the Realm of Rosaria, a title given after serving as Prime Minister. This cape is worn for the rest of their Rosarian life, and many are still active in the organization, providing advice and guidance to other Council members and Prime Ministers.

Fleet Week has officially arrived as part of the Portland Rose Festival! Free ship tours are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. U.S. Navy ships will be open for public tours June 4 to 7th. No tickets are required, tours are free of charge.

Ships Visiting Rose Festival Fleet Week
United States Navy
* USS CHAFEE (DDG-90)
United States Coast Guard
* USCGC DAVID DUREN (WPC-1156)
* USCGC BLUEBELL (WLI-313)
* USCGC FLORENCE FINCH (WCP-1157)
Royal Canadian Navy
* HMCS MAX BERNAYS (AOPV-432)
US Army Corps of Engineers
* USACE REDLINGER (WDF-3108)

🗓️ open for tours June 4 to 7, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
📍 Tom McCall Waterfront Park
‼️ For guests over 18 years old, a REAL ID or U.S. Passport must be presented to tour the ships.
ℹ️ rosefestival.org/events/2026/fleetweek







Traffic Tips
Fleet Week ship arrivals begin on Tuesday, June 2, 2026. Commuters should expect bridge lifts and associated delays for the Broadway, Steel, and Burnside Bridges.
6/2/26: 3 ships arrival with lifts between 1pm-5pm
6/4/26: 1 ship arrival with lift between 6pm-8pm
6/6/26: 1 ship arrival with lift between 1pm-3pm
6/8/26: ship departures begin at 7am and continue through 12pm