Keizer Iris Festival in Full Bloom This Weekend

The annual Iris Festival has been a tradition for over twenty years, showcasing Keizer's awesome iris-growing industry.

Photo by Rick Land

(KEIZER, Ore.) - The Keizer Iris Festival is in full swing! Don't miss the Mayor's Pet Parade followed by the official Iris Parade, both Saturday morning. Many stage shows will keep audiences entertained throughout the weekend, and festival-goers will have opportunity to take a high flying helicopter ride over the event and out over the acres of blooming iris fields for a lifetime of memories.

Here is a rundown of what the weekend has in store for Iris Festival attendees:

MAYOR’S PET PARADE 9:40 a.m.- Come join the fun with Keizer Mayor Lore Christopher and her dog as they lead the Pet Parade. The close to ½ mile march is a favorite for pet owners, kids, and beginner walkers. The 9:40 am starting line is at Copper Creek Mercantile in Keizer. Participants head north along the parade route being cheered and greeted by spectators waiting to watch the Iris Festival Parade.

Iris Parade 10:30 a.m.- Everyone loves a parade! This year’s theme “On the Move” will be portrayed by the colorful floats. Impressively creative, floats are just the beginning. Lively marching bands, talented youth performers, proud equestrians, shinny classic cars, and thousands of spectators make this a not-to-be-missed annual event. Come early for the best seat! Parade begins at the corner of Lockhaven and River Road at 10:30 am and proceeds south along River Road to Glynbrook.

Family Village & Stage thru Sunday - Fun times for all are back again with new events, new activities, a new location at Keizer Station. Kids, parents and grandparents will be amused and entertained by groups performing live on stage. Come see what is new this year as participants and spectators enjoy the activities rain of shine.

Carnival & Midway thru Sunday - There is more excitement and thrills at the carnival and midway now located at Keizer Station.

Try your skills at the games and maybe win a stuffed animal, take a wild ride and let the wee ones enjoy the more mild floating canoes. There is something for everyone at the carnival whether you are a kid or a kid at heart!

The Street Fairs next to the Keizerfest Tent or Carnival are chock full of anything and everything you can imagine from jewelry to clothing to knick knacks...and everything "iris".

IRIS FESTIVAL FUN CENTER located at Keizer Station
Exhibitors & Shows Saturday 11:00 AM - 8:00 PM Sunday 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM Business Street Fair Carnival Street Fair Farmers Market Arts, Blooms Exhibitors w/Iris Flower Show AG Showcase Civil War Camp Open Air Stage

Helicopter Rides & Iris Fields Excursions Saturday 11:00 am to 6:00 pm Sunday 10:00 am to 6:00 pm Fee: $39

Tournament Town -Iris May Madness 3 on 3 Basketball, Tennis Block Party, and Mini Golf Friday 3:00 pm - 8:00 pm Saturday 11:00 am to 8:00 pm Sunday 10:00 am to 6:00 pm Fee: Iris May Madness 3x3 $60 per team / Mini Golf $3

Family Village -Circuit Stage Fee: Free (After 6pm $5 Cover Charge) Saturday 11:30am -12:30pm McKay High Jazz Band 1pm-2:30pm Gubser Elementary Choir 2:30pm- 4pm Willamette Girls Choir 4pm – 8pm Minute to Win It & Karaoke 8pm -11pm Danny Wold Jazz Trio Sunday 11am -12:15pm Keizer Community Stage Band 12:15pm -1:15pm Belly Dancers 1pm -4pm Keizer Community Concert Band

Food Fair located in former Circuit City Parking lot

Fun Center Transport Park & Ride Golf Carts or Bus to events at Keizer Station Every odd hour Bus leaves to Schreiner’s Iris Gardens Fee: Free

Crown the Hound located next to PETCO 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm K9 Demos & more Fee: Free 2:00 pm Daily Pet Shows & Competitions Saturday -Best Pet Trick Sunday -Best Pet Kiss Fee: $5

Saturday May 22nd Keizer Iris Run - 5K Run/Walk & KIDZ 3K Starting at River Rd N & Chemawa Rd 5K start 9:15 am Fee: $25 KIDZ 3K start 9:20 am Fee: $15

Golf Showcase & Ball Drop Located at Willow Lake Golf Center & Driving Range Starts at 3:00 pm – 10pm Helicopter Ball Drop at 7:30 pm Fee: Free to Attend (Ball Drop Tickets One for $10/Three for $20)

McNary High School Choir: 1:30.p.m. Join the McNary High School Choir at Schreiner's Gardens.

Sunday May 23rd Keizer Iris Run - Half Marathon & 10K Run Starting at 8am Keizer Station Fun Center Fee: Half Marathon $35 ($40 after May 18th) 10K $25 ($28 after May 18th)

Pancake Breakfast Keizerfest Tent at the Keizer Station Fun Center 9:00 am- 1:00 pm Fee: $3.00

Christian Jamboree Keizerfest Tent at the Keizer Station Fun Center 10:00 am - 2:00 pm

Family Bike Ride & Corral Keizer Station Park Check-in 9:00 am – 1:00 pm 4 Mile & 14 Mile Course Fee: Free

The Keizer Iris Festival Geo Cashing Challenge Keizer Station Park Check-in Starts at 12:00 noon

Iris Volksmarch: Join the Willamette Wanderers at Schreiner's Gardens for a self-paced walk through iris fields at the peak of bloom season. The growing fields are normally closed to the public but for this day only you can burn calories and admire rows of brilliantly colored flowers. For more information on this free event, call 503-581-4385.

Monday May 31st Schreiner's Iris Garden Big Band & Chicken BBQ Schreiner's Iris Gardens 3625 Quinaby Rd NE, Keizer

And that will do it for the doings, for the month of May, in Keizer, Oregon.