Veterans Memorial Coliseum was designed with the Portland Rose Festival’s annual Grand Floral Parade in mind. Large openings at each end of the arena allow the parade’s signature floats, vehicles and marchers to pass continuously through the building from outside. With the festival happening in the often-showery late spring, the Coliseum is a place to view the parade out of the rain and in tiered seating with amenities. It’s the only major parade in the United States to pass through a building, making Veterans Memorial Coliseum an irreplaceable part of what makes Rose Festival special.