Teddy Bear Parade History & Highlights

Save the date!!! 

The Soroptimist International of Gresham Teddy Bear Parade returns on Saturday, September 28, 2024! 

Gresham’s annual Teddy Bear Parade has been organized and hosted by the Soroptimists International of Gresham since the early 90’s. Originally a community “friendraiser”, this beloved East County institution now funds the Soroptimists programs to support women and girls as they strive to achieve their career goals & realize the empowerment of financial independence.  We were thrilled at the turnout for the 2023 Teddy Bear Parade on September 30.  Watch the video from sponsor MetroEast Media.

Due to COVID, the Soroptimists had no choice but to cancel the 2020 Teddy Bear parade. Instead, MetroEast Community Media produced an hour-long documentary that reveals the origin and history of Gresham’s Teddy Bear Parade as told by the founder, Patricia Fiedler, along with parade hosts Carol Nielsen and Greg Matthews.  The second half of the program features highlights from past Teddy Bear Parades dating from 1995-2019.

We will be making more history on September 28, 2024 when the Gresham Teddy Bear Parade returns to downtown Gresham!