Bank of the West Invites all Portlanders to Kick-off the Official Rose Parade

PORTLAND, Ore., May 29, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Don't have a seat up front? Bank of the West is "calling all walkers" to experience the Rose Festival from a uniquely different vantage point – on the parade route. The Grand Floral Walk will trace the parade route through downtown Portland on Saturday, June 8 at 9:30 a.m., 30 minutes prior to the start time of the official Rose Parade.

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In the past, the Grand Floral Walk has drawn participants of all ages and group sizes sporting individual costumes or coordinating team decorations. This year marks the fifth year of the Grand Floral Walk. An estimated 2,000 walkers are expected to participate. Walkers can opt for the 2-mile or 4-mile course and will "parade" in front of the estimated half million viewers who will line the route.

"The Portland Rose Festival and Bank of the West have been a part of this community for over 100 years. We're pleased that through our sponsorship of the Bank of the West Grand Floral Walk, we're able to extend the parade experience to those who want to participate in this grand tradition," said Cal Tabata, senior vice president and Bank of the West regional manager for the Pacific Northwest. 

Bank of the West team members, along with their families and friends from throughout Oregon, will participate in the Grand Floral Walk. They'll be joined by Home Builders Foundation (HBF), the Portland-based nonprofit that builds shelters and transitional housing for those in need. Home Builders Foundation has been providing safe havens for the homeless for more than 15 years and recently received a $10,000 grant from Bank of the West in support of its mission of helping those in need rebuild their lives and regain self-sufficiency.

"There's a spirit of the west that is alive and well here in Portland. It's not just the great outdoors we all love, but our sense of community that brings us together," said Kimberly Wheeler, branch manager at Bank of the West. "We're highlighting Home Builders Foundation during the Grand Floral Walk because so many of my colleagues were inspired by their staff and volunteers who are truly dedicated to making a difference in our community and raising the quality of life for those in need."

Beyond the Portland Rose Festival, Bank of the West is also an official sponsor of the Pac-12 and University of Oregon Athletics. During the past three years in Oregon, the bank has originated $265 million in community development loans and awarded more than 240 grants to nonprofit organizations in support of community development, education and job training, health and human services and the arts.

About Bank of the West:
Founded in 1874, $62 billion-asset Bank of the West (www.bankofthewest.com), Member FDIC and Equal Housing Lender, offers a full range of personal, commercial, wealth management and international banking services. The bank operates more than 600 retail and commercial banking locations in 19 Western and Midwestern states. Bank of the West is a subsidiary of BNP Paribas, which has a presence in 80 countries with nearly 200,000 employees.

About the Portland Rose Festival:
The Portland Rose Festival Foundation is a 501(c) (3) non-profit dedicated to serving families and individuals with programs and events that promote the arts, education, and volunteerism. The Foundation values environmental responsibility, diversity, patriotism, and our historic and floral heritage. For the latest on Rose Festival events go to RoseFestival.org.

SOURCE Bank of the West