PORTLAND, Ore. — After weeks of events, the biggest and most anticipated parade of the Portland Rose Festival drew hundreds of thousands of people Saturday morning.
"It's fantastic," said Jeffrey Vanzile. "I like it. That's why I'm sitting here waiting for it; we've been waiting for this big moment."
The Grand Floral Parade has been going for more than 116 years, featuring marching bands, dancers and community groups. This year's parade started at Memorial Coliseum and ended in the Lloyd District.
For some, it was their first time.
"It's really fun. I love how fresh it is right now. And it's just overall a great experience," Adriana Jimenez told KGW.
For others, it's an annual tradition.
"My aunt was a Rose Festival princess. My whole life, we came going to the parades, and if it was a good year, we made it to all three parades, and my grandfather would carry little wooden stools to the parade," said Kristina Perkins.
Regardless of whether it's the first time or not, the Grand Floral Parade brings family and friends together.
"I'm happy because it's sunny, and I'm here with my mom and my dad and my sister," said Anabel Bernnabe.
"We brought our suburban friends. Met in Southeast. Made it here. Love the new bridge, and we love the good times. Everyone's so happy on parade day, even Pika," said Sally Shuey, gesturing to her Pikachu cap.
"I love it," added Jeffrey Vanzile. "It's a nice sunny day. It happens once a year ... It's wonderful. It's fantastic."
All in all, the whole thing went off without a hitch, save for an early hiccup, in which eight arrests were made after protesters attempted to block the parade.
PHOTOS: Portland Rose Festival Grand Floral Parade
According to the Portland Police Bureau (PPB), officers found out about a protest comprising of "a few dozen" on the sidewalk on Northeast Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard near Northeast Pacific Avenue. Officers approached the group, saying they were allowed to be there but to not disrupt the parade. The group agreed.
However, the group soon reneged, PPB said, and when asked again to move out of the way of the large floats and marching bands, the group "began to get verbally hostile."
A relief squad was called in an hour later, and one person, Rio C. Moncrief, "splashed a beverage" on a PPB sergeant and two officers. Later, a handful of protesters "pushed through the officers on the line and laid down on the parade route."
Eight were then arrested, including Moncrief, who proceeded to throw "a can containing liquid" while being arrested, PPB said.
Seven were booked and charged with second-degree disorderly conduct, while Moncrief's charges included harassment, interfering with a peace officer and second-degree disorderly conduct. PBB added that a ninth person was detained but released before being booked.
The parade then resumed minutes later.
No PPB members were injured, police said.