The Florence Area Chamber of Commerce is inviting everyone to the 118th edition of the Florence Rhododendron Festival. The family friendly Oregon institution takes place May 15 to 18, 2025. This year’s theme is “Rhodies on the River.”
“It’ll be another year of fun as we celebrate our local natural beauty and floral superstars. We invite everyone to come to Florence—Oregon’s Coastal Playground—and enjoy the fun and pageantry of the state’s second-longest running floral festival,” said Chamber president/CEO Bettina Hannigan.
“Rhody Fest,” is the second-oldest flower festival in Oregon, just one year younger than the Portland Rose Festival and the third oldest on the West Coast behind the Tournament of Roses in Pasadena, California. “Thousands come from around the world to celebrate with us every year on the third full weekend in May,” added Hannigan.
“Generations of families have enjoyed the annual Florence Rhododendron Festival by attending, enjoying the Davis Shows carnival, exhibiting their rhododendrons, showing off their classic cars and motorcycles, being in the parades, and shopping and dining in Old Town and all around town,” adds Hannigan. “It’s a family tradition, an Oregon institution.”
Hannigan reports that the festival, with its carnival, Rhododendron Court, parades, classic car cruise, vendor fair, and flower shows, serves as the unofficial kickoff to the summer tourism season—a season that adds nearly $300 million to the local economy each year and employs about 2700 of the roughly 5000 workers in Florence.
The festival opens the Saturday prior to the third weekend in May (May 10, 2025) with the coronation of Queen Rhododendra, the King of the Coast, and their royal court at the Florence Events Center; followed by Thursday’s (May 15) opening of the Davis Shows Carnival at the Port of Siuslaw property in Old Town. Saturdays traditionally feature the annual 5K Rhody Run and Walk, the junior parade and kids’ activities, the annual and the Coast Radio Classic Car Cruise through Old Town. Saturday’s 31st Annual Rhody Classic Car Show ‘n’ Shine. Sunday brings the grand floral parade, beginning at noon, down Highway 101 from 27th St. and into Historic Old Town.
Throughout the event, there will be a vendor fair in Old Town (Maple Street), a spectacular rhododendron show, and the Florence Regional Arts Alliance arts festival at the Florence Events Center; and live music and other festivities and activities all over town. Three Rivers Casino Resort will run a shuttle to Old Town every 15 to 20 minutes on May 17 and 18. For more information on the annual Florence Rhododendron Festival, visit RhodyDays.net for details and a downloadable brochure with full information, dates, times, and locations; email info@FlorenceChamber.com; or call 541-997-3128.
