Rosefest Monday Preview

The 21rst annual Rosefest Parade of Roses will highlight today’s activities for Roseville’s annual summer festival.

Some 90 units -including street performers, numerous floats and 13 marching bands-will make up the parade, according to Leslie Berry, chairwoman of the Rosefest Parade.

The parade-which Berry said usually attracts upwards of 20,000 of spectators- is scheduled to start at 6:15 p.m. from Roseville High School and then proceed along a one-mile course that finishes at the Roseville Skating Center.

Grand marshals of the parade will be Roseville police officer John Jorgensen and his K-9, Major, who was permanently injured in the line of duty last fall while pursuing a robbery suspect and the dog had to be retired from service.

Jill Anfang, assistant city parks and recreation director, said it takes about $16,000 to put on the parade. Berry said planning for this year’s parade started last fall with a volunteer group meeting monthly starting after the first of the year.

After Monday, Rosefest continues for another week,  concluding on July 4.  A full schedule is available on the city Web site.