119th Florence Rhododendron Festival celebrates iconic coastal shrub - and a new partnership * Oregon ArtsWatch

"The 119th Florence Rhododendron Festival, May 14-17, marks a first-time collaboration between festival organizers and the Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians. The tribes provided the festival theme, "A Gathering With a Good Heart," as well as the logo, designed by tribal member Dylan Brainard. "We do everything with a good heart," said tribal Chief Doug Barrett. "It's a conscious belief, and it's a conscious thought that we do in everything.""

"The theme comes from the Siuslaw words "temuu hiisəch hai," pronounced phonetically in English: "Tuh-moo hee-such hi," according to Patty Phillips, a tribal language instructor. The collaboration also includes parade leadership, with the tribes serving as the grand marshal. "This collaboration is long overdue for Florence," said Bettina Hannigan, president and CEO of the Florence Area Chamber of Commerce."

"There have been celebrity appearances, including one who failed to appear at the airport after discovering her ticket was merely coach. The Budweiser Clydesdales actually made the parade twice, but, alas, were prevented from showing off their famous form - both times. And rain. It's the coast; of course there's been rain, often blowing in right before the parade began, then stopping just in time, said 81-year-old Siuslaw Pioneer Museum volunteer Sharon Waite."

""Everyone was dripping wet and the floats were ruined... You carry on." This year, however, the big news from Oregon's second-oldest flower fest is all good - so far, anyway - and something for the history books. The 119th Florence Rhododendron Festival, May 14-17, marks a first-time collaboration between festival organizers and the Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians."

The Florence Rhododendron Festival has a long history of notable events, including celebrity appearances, parade disruptions, and weather challenges. Rain has often arrived before the parade and stopped at the last moment, leaving attendees wet and floats damaged. For the 119th festival on May 14-17, organizers are collaborating for the first time with the Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians. The tribes provided the festival theme, “A Gathering With a Good Heart,” and the logo designed by tribal member Dylan Brainard. Tribal Chief Doug Barrett connects the theme to a conscious belief in doing everything with a good heart. The theme is drawn from Siuslaw words, and the tribes will serve as grand marshal of the parade.

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