“Project Runway” winner SethAaron Henderson named Starlight Parade grand marshal

The local community cheered Vancouver designer SethAaron Henderson on to victory on “Project Runway,” and now he’s showing his appreciation by stepping up as grand marshal for the 2010 Portland Rose Festival’s Portland General Electric/SOLV Starlight Parade.

The parade will take place June 5 at 8:30 p.m. in downtown Portland, and will be broadcast live on KGW NewsChannel 8 beginning at 9 p.m. Henderson; his wife, Tina; 13-year-old son, Aaron; and 12-year-old daughter, Megann, will ride in the parade.

“I like parades, and I’ve never been in one before,” said Henderson, 38. “I thought it was really cool. It’s an honor. They don’t ask everybody” to be grand marshal.

The family has been to the Starlight Parade before, and they attend community parades to watch Aaron march with his school band. Both Aaron and Megann were excited about getting to ride in a vintage car for the Rose Festival.

“They think it’s really cool,” Henderson said.

The parade is a fun adventure, but it’s also a chance to give back to the community.

“The community has given me all this support both in Oregon and Washington, and it’s kind of acknowledging that,” Henderson said.