March 24, 2008

Renew your vows. Relive your moment. Refresh your romance. It’s PGE’s ‘I DO’ REDO Contest
Portland Rose Festival and PGE offer chance for vow renewals aboard float

PORTLAND, Ore. — Three lucky couples will win a chance to renew their wedding vows on live TV while riding on the Portland General Electric (PGE) float during the Grand Floral Parade on Sat., June 7, 2008.

In celebration of “Romancing the Rose,” this year’s Rose Festival theme, PGE customer couples with the most compelling story of enduring and romantic love will be selected to take part in the festivities. Nominations can be made as of March 21, 2008 at www.portlandgeneral.com/RoseFestival by answering three simple questions: how they met, the secret to sustaining their marriage, and their most romantic moment. One couple will be selected in each of the following categories based on length of marriage: 10-24 years, 25-39 years, or 40 years of marriage or more. Entry deadline is April 11, 2008. 

“We’re always looking for new ways to engage our customers in our business and the things we do in the community,” said Kregg Arntson, PGE community affairs manager. “The ‘I Do’ Redo Contest and our float give us a fun way to celebrate couples who are inspiring others with strong relationships and sustainable love that has stood the test of time. We think it will be one of the highlights of this year's parade.”

A panel of judges, including K103’s John Erickson and Jill Spitznass, editor of Portland Bride and Groom magazine, will choose the three couples to ride the float and renew their vows on parade day. 

A romantic prize package will be given to each couple per designated category with the most compelling story of how they’ve sustained their marriage. The prize packages include a combination of romantic prizes: overnight hotel accommodations at the Embassy Suites, dinner for two, new energy efficient washer and dryer courtesy of ASKO, a 1-year membership at Bally Total Fitness, a commemorative diamond heart pendant from Zell Bros Jewelers, rose bush from Dennis’ Seven Dees Landscape & Garden Center, See’s Candies chocolate, and Oak Knoll wine (not all packages include all prizes; see www.portlandgeneral.com/RoseFestival for complete terms and conditions and rules and regulations).

PGE, Oregon’s largest electricity provider, is the longest-running parade sponsor of the Grand Floral Parade and has supported the Portland Rose Festival since its inception in 1907. PGE also is the title sponsor of the PGE/SOLV Starlight Parade, scheduled this year for March 31, and powers the WaMu Waterfront Village with PGE renewable energy.

Tickets are on sale now for the 2008 Grand Floral Parade at the Memorial Coliseum Sat., June 7.  Reserved seats are available both inside and outside the coliseum, prices are $30 and $25.  Purchase tickets online at www.rosefestival.org, the Rose Quarter Box Office or charge by phone at 1-877-789-ROSE (7673).  For group orders of 10 or more tickets, please contact Carol Ross at the Portland Rose Festival Foundation, 503-227-2681.

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