I love the Rose Festival, and especially the Rose Court.  The Court isn't a beauty pageant, it's a celebration of Portland's best young women whose acadamic achievement, community service, and positive attitudes showcase how Portland's schools are still turning out highly successful students.  Last month, I worked with the Court princesses cleaning up graffiti in the Central Eastside.

Saturday morning, I was inside Veterans Memorial Coliseum to watch the Queen's Coronation for the first time.  For the past four years, I've led the Grand Floral Walk, which promotes healthy exercise by walking the four mile parade route before the floats set off.  So usually I'm outside, meeting with other walkers (such as my friend Marilyn Loy, below) and getting in place. 

This year, I decided to experience the Coronation, and Rose Festival Director Jeff Curtis graciously set me up with a VIP ticket to be on the floor for the ceremony.  So I got to watch the Central Catholic fans go wild as Queen Kate Sinnott was named the Queen of Rosaria for 2012-13.

Much better photos and coverage here.   

Kate's father is Bill Sinnott, who retired from the Portland Police Bureau in 2006 to work with the Clean & Safe program funded by the Portland Business Alliance.  As this post on Bike Portland shows, he is an outstanding person and exemplary officer who earned the respect of the community. Later in the day, I attended the Royal Rosarians Grand Ball, and saw Kate and Bill take to the floor to lead the dancing, cheered by Kate's mom, Kathy.  Appropriately, to Abba's "Dancing Queen".

Special thanks to Prime Minister Rob Hungerford for introducing me at the Grand Ball as, "my friend, Commissioner Amanda Fritz".  And to Royal Regent, Ray Hanson, for bestowing on me the honor of Knight of the Realm of Rosaria last year.  I'm glad Mayor Sam Adams and Sheriff Dan Staton received that honor on Friday.