Rose Festival Court Shifts to District-Based Selection
High schoolers in three counties will apply under a new model starting in December 2026 to compete for $7,000 scholarships.
Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Scholarships
Live Poll
Do you support moving youth program recruitment from individual schools to regional districts?
High school students across Portland and the metro area will see a shift in the Rose Festival Court, as the foundation moves to a new geographic district-based selection process. The program, which dates back to 1930, will now feature six court members rather than the previous 15 selected from individual schools.
Why it matters
The foundation is restructuring the long-standing tradition to expand student access and opportunity across the region. This pivot marks the most significant change to the program's selection model in nearly a century, directly impacting how future candidates participate in the court.
The new model reduces the court from 15 members to 6, while increasing the scholarship award to $7,000 per person from the previous $5,000. Candidates must maintain a 2.75 GPA and complete 20 hours of service, though the exact geographic district lines remain pending.
The players
Portland Rose Festival Foundation
The organization that manages the annual festival events and the court selection process.
The Randall Group
The presenting sponsor for the Rose Festival Court that provides the scholarship funding.
The details
The Portland Rose Festival Foundation replaces the school-by-school nomination process with a geographic model where a student's home address determines their district eligibility. Applicants must be juniors or seniors residing in Multnomah, Clackamas, or Washington counties to qualify. The Randall Group, serving as the presenting sponsor, has boosted the scholarship fund to support the new cohort as they evaluate candidates on community involvement and festival connection.
Timeline
The Rose Festival Court program began in 1930.
Applications open for the 2027 court on December 2, 2026.
The new district-based selection process begins in 2027.
Court members will be announced the week of March 15, 2027.
Beyond the Bridges
This move represents a departure from the traditional school-based model that has defined the court since its 1930 inception. It follows a growing trend of regional organizations shifting away from school-specific participation toward broader, district-level inclusion.
High school juniors and seniors in Multnomah, Clackamas, and Washington counties should prepare to submit applications beginning December 2, 2026. Applicants must verify their residency and ensure they meet the 2.75 GPA and 20-hour service requirements before the selection cycle concludes in March 2027.
The takeaway
Students interested in the new court model should keep watch for the official district maps to determine their application category. Prospective candidates should bookmark the festival website to track the opening of the application portal on December 2, 2026.
Further reading
Find more information on local educational support and programs in our Scholarships section.
More information
Review the full eligibility criteria at the Rose Festival eligibility and application portal.
Live Poll
Do you support moving youth program recruitment from individual schools to regional districts?
