Sep 23 2008
26th Annual Teddy Bear Parade
The Soroptimist International of Gresham, a club for professional women, is presenting the 26th Annual Teddy Bear Parade in Historic Downtown Gresham on Saturday, September 27th at 10:00 a.m. Over 35 groups will be marching in the parade, and nearly 4,000 spectators are expected to attend.
The parade will begin at East Hill Church, 701 N Main Ave, and will wind through downtown Gresham, then back to East Hill Church.
Groups marching in the parade will be holding, displaying, and even dressed as teddy bears. Hundreds of the furry bears are expected to attend.
The Soroptimist holds this parade every year as a fund raiser for women’s education and homeless shelters. 
The Teddy Bear got its name from President Theodore Roosevelt. After an unsuccessful bear hunt, a bear cub was captured and brought to him to shoot. The President declined, dubbing the bear “Teddy’s Bear”, which became one of America’s favorite toys, the Teddy Bear.
Directly after the parade, the Gresham Downtown Development Association will be holding its annual Bike Safety Fair. This free event begins at noon, and ends at 2 p.m., and will be held in the grassy area near East Hill Church. There will be games, prizes, booths, and free bike helmets for the first 600 kids. For more information on this event call (503)665-3827.
