City of Portland
Portland, OR

At the heart of Portland’s popular culture for more than a century, the Rose Festival has its roots in tradition, with inspired programming that embraces both the contemporary and the nostalgic. Visionary city leaders started the festival during the first decade of the 20th Century to put Portland on the map and brand it “the summer capital of the world.” Little did they know that more than a hundred summers later the Rose Festival would be world-famous – both for its remarkable, award-winning events and as a leader in celebrating community values like volunteerism, patriotism and environmentalism.

Opening day for the festival this year is March 28, 2015.

Info from the Festival spokeswoman 3/23/15:
The festival spokeswoman emailed me back and said they do not have plans for a penny machine this year, at this time. The 2007 pennies were for the Centennial celebration, were, in her words, 'hugely popular and sold out'. She will be contacting the fair committee to see about getting pennies for this year. GSY

Retired 2007 penny designs were:
1) 'Portland Rose Festival 2007', City skyline with Mt Hood over, over name and date
2) 'Portland Rose Festival Centennial Celebration, 1907 - 2007
3) 'Portland Rose Festival 2007', Sailing ship in middle
4) '2007 Rose Festival Portland, Oregon', Skull and crossed bones in middle, Rose on upper left & lower right bone

Retired 2007 Dime design was:
1) 'Portland Rose Festival 100 Years', Roses left of name

Retired 1949 penny design was:
1) 1949 Rose Festival Portland, ORE', Rose in middle