The Tournament of Roses
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The excitement builds, the Rose Parade is coming
2012 - Surfing dogs on the parade - A must see!
Just Imagine
2012 Parade Theme
Appropriate theme as I write about the Rose Parade. Being one of the people on the sidewalk for many years stirs many memories. There was the year that those with beards woke up with them covered in frost. There were years of selling balloons up and down the parade route. There were the years that we took the kids and they were the ones running up and down the sidewalks. The friends and family that shared the sidewalk with us who are no longer here are remembered when the parade starts. It's not New Years Day without watching the parade, whether it be in person or on TV.If you haven't been to the parade, it is a one-time must see. The flowers and the colors can't be fully appreciated unless you see them up close. There are three types of entries in the Rose Parade. The floral floats come from corporations or communities. There are the equestrian groups and the bands. The only cars allowed on the route are those who carry the dignitaries.
Rose Parade 2010 Queen's trophy winner
Bayer
Breaking News
Up to date news on the Rose Parade
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1/2/2012 - First time to write 2012.
Happy New Year from sunny Southern California. As usual, I am up early watching the pre-parade show on KTLA, which is channel 5 here. It is the only station I watch for the parade if I can't make it. Bob Eubanks and Stephanie Edwards have hosted it forever and they just did an interview with J.R. Martinez. They show the making of the floats and share a lot of background. Bob Eubanks is an expert on the horses and we learn something new each year. - 11/1/2011 - Breaking news - the Tournament of Roses Parade grand Marshall will be J.R. Martinez. Hurray!!! He not only won on "Dancing with the Stars", he was one of my favorite characters on "All My Children".
- 10/28/11 - Announced that the Grand Marshall will be unveiled on November 1, 2011. Stay tuned.
- 1/1/2011 - I am watching the parade as I write this. As information for the 2012 parade is available, this lens will be updated. Happy New Year from sunny Southern California.
Rose Parade History
Tournament of Roses: The first 100 years
Amazon Price: $79.84 (as of 06/05/2012)
Stories and tales of the first hundred years of the Rose Parade. How it grew into the biggest parade of all.
Countdown to Rose Parade
Never on Sunday
Parade Route
The Parade travels north on Orange Grove at a leisurely 2.5-mile per hour pace and then turns east onto Colorado Boulevard where the majority of the Parade takes place. At the end of the route, the Parade turns north onto Sierra Madre Boulevard and ends at Sierra Madre and Villa Street.
J.R. Martinez says "Just Imagine"
2012 Grand Marshall
He not only won on "Dancing with the Stars", he was one of my favorite characters on "All My Children".
Paula Dean, the Grand Marshall of the 2011 Rose Parade
The Grand Marshall of the Rose Parade is an honor unlike many others. There have been many notable people who have been granted that honor. The list is long so here are just a few. The entire list is on the Tournament of Roses website. http://www.tournamentofroses.com/history/grandmarshalpast.asp
2003 Bill Cosby, Art Linkletter and Fred Rogers
1999 Buzz Aldrin, Shirley Temple Black and Jackie Robinson (posthumously), David L. Wolper
1986 Erma Bombeck
1982 Jimmy Stewart
1974 Charles M. Schulz
1969 Bob Hope
1964 Dwight D. Eisenhower
1955 Earl Warren
1953 Richard M. Nixon
1948 Gen. Omar Bradley
1945 Herbert Hoover
1940 Edgar Bergen & Charlie McCarthy
1939 Shirley Temple
1933 Mary Pickford
Several people have been Grand Marshall more than once. The three that caught my attention were Richard Nixon, Bob Hope and Shirley Temple (Black).
What is Paula Dean famous for?
More to read about the Rose Parade
Rose Parade Sniglets
AP Photo slide show from the 2010 Rose Parade
New Mexico's unveiling of their parade entry
USC (University of California) in honor of my dad
A history of the Rose Parade presented by Honda
Natural Balance Pet Foods® - Skateboarding Dogs & Pasadena Rose Parade® Float
Don't let the parade pass you by
What do you think?
It is better to watch the parade on TV?
Yes, you have all the comforts of home
Tipi says:
I've only seen it on TV...
karmicchristian says:
I guess that I must be about 7 - 8000 miles away from this grand event and I would have no other medium to watch this great fest!
cwimmer77 says:
I grew up in southern CA and used to love the KCAL coverage of the parade and the Rose Bowl game.
MusicalKay28 says:
I was in it with my band, so first I would say there. but normally I live on the other side of the country so comfort of home, except that you don't see everything that is really there, and the reporters get MOST DETAILS WRONG!
Comfortdoc says:
Considering we are in Northern California, it is much easier to watch the parade on TV.
No, you have to see it in person to really appreciate it
PTurner56 says:
There's nothing like being there! I've attended almost every year of my life and it has become a treasured tradition. Grandpa used to have his office on Colorado Blvd. and sometimes we watched from there. Other years, all the Uncles saved a place for the Aunts and all the kids. I lived 2 blocks north of Colorado for some years, so it was easy to walk on down. One year we sat on top of my Dad's 18 wheeler! That was the year Bob Hope's car broke down and he got out and pushed! Mom and I went for years together and always found a good spot to stand--one gentleman allowed us to sit on top of his motorhome and you should have seen Mom getting up there! The biggest thrill for Mom and I was getting to see Shirley Temple Black as Grand Marshall! The last 6 or 7 years I've been extremely fortunate to have a girlfriend who works at PCC (Pasadena City College) which is on the Blvd. PCC employees and guests start the morning with a great breakfast buffet and prize raffle. In the bleachers, the raffle continues and we have a "cheerleader" named Joe who has us yell greetings in unison at the Parade participants as they go by. When Sully Sullenberger was the Grand Marshall, we sailed paper airplanes down to his car. The year George Lucas was Grand Marshall we all wore Darth Vader masks.
I hope to create Parade memories for years to come, and I wish everyone could experience in person at least once!
TwoDogHouse says:
This is one of my dreams; to one day see the Rose Parade live and in person. Since I've not been able to fulfill that dream I have been watching on television for over 35 years. It never gets old and the floats are beautiful. I truly enjoyed the lens. Thank you.
Blessedmombygrace says:
I'd love to see it live, but from the other side of the country, TV will have to do.
poddys says:
Parades never look the same on tv. They have to be experienced live.
Kimbesa says:
You can see a lot on TV, but they cut to commercials during many of the band performances. There is nothing like being there, or being in it! I remember January 1, 1973 very well!
Check out the Tournament of Roses website and the Photo Time-Line
The Tournament of Roses website
- Photo Time-line
- The Tournament of Roses organization has a very complete website with all the information you might need on the parade. One of their best sections is the photo time-line starting in 1890 with the very first parade.
Revelers Stake Out Prime Spots for Rose Parade
What to bring if you are hanging out on the sidewalk
Or, what time do I have to move my stuff?
When and where to sidewalk campYou may put down your sleeping bags at noon on the day before the parade. If you put them down sooner, you will be asked to remove them.
All belonging must be behind the curb before 11 p.m. on New Years Eve. At 11 p.m., campers may move their chairs to the blue line. At no time is anyone allowed beyond the blue line and this is strictly enforced. The sidewalks must be clear enough for pedestrians to move freely.
Chairs, sleeping bags, portable heaters and other creature comforts are allowed but not tents. Personal barbecues are allowed as long as they are one foot above the ground.
As a child and young adult, I spent many years on the parade route. They have prohibited many of the things we used to have. One of our favorite places to watch the parade was a ladder and scaffolding. Can't do that anymore. Tents are not allowed and boxes to stand on aren't either. Bonfires are a no-no and they no longer allow alcoholic beverages. That's sort of interesting because the drunks must then just wander into the area by mistake.
Campers are not allowed to rope off any areas. It is illegal to sell items without a permit. Throwing things onto the parade route is prohibited and silly string is no longer allowed.
It's basically common sense. Children under 18 are not allowed without an adult and the curfew from 19 p.m. to 5 a.m. is strictly enforced.
Tempature Rated Sleeping Bag
Teton Sports Mammoth 0-Degree Sleeping Bag
Amazon Price: $146.95 (as of 06/05/2012)
If you plan on sleeping on the parade route, the temperature drops into the low 40 degrees Fahrenheit and may drop below freezing. A sleeping bag that is not rated for the colder weather will not keep you warm. The temperature will generally warm to the mid 70's but it will be cold at night.
The sidewalk is hard
ALPS Mountaineering Lightweight Series Self-Inflating Air Pad (Steel Blue, Regular)
Amazon Price: $35.38 (as of 06/05/2012)
Besides a temperature rated sleeping bag, you will need something between you and the sidewalk. There are two reasons for this. One is that the sidewalk is hard. The other is that the concrete will pull body heat through the sleeping bag. You need a barrier between you and the sidewalk.
Barbecue and fire pit
Coleman Pack-Away Portable Fireplace Grill
Amazon Price: $119.26 (as of 06/05/2012)
What's great about this one is the spark screen and the abiltiy to use it as a barbecue as well as a fire pit. This works for the parade as you simply grill your dinner and then snuggle up to a warm fire. Best of both worlds.
Portable propane heater
Mr. Heater MH18B-California Approved, Portable Propane Heater
Amazon Price: $119.99 (as of 06/04/2012)
A heater is a very nice addition to any outdoor event. This heater will keep feet and legs warm even in the coldest weather.
Need a place to stay in Pasadena?
Orbitz can help you find a place to stay in Pasadena or the surrounding areas. There are several areas near Pasadena that you might also want to look at, like Arcadia and Glendale.
The Rose Parade and RV's
There are places to camp in your RV at the Rose Parade. It's the best of both worlds. You have your nice warm RV, a soft bed and when the temperature drops, you are snugly and warm. Your chairs are already lined up and all you have to do is put on warm clothes and head outside to enjoy the parade.
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Front line parking along the Rose Bowl Parade route can be reserved through Sharp Seating. http://www.sharpseating.com/ You may also contact Easy Parking Service (626) 286-7576. Paid parking is offered on a first-come, first-served basis at various lots and parking structures near the Parade route.
Overnight parking on Pasadena streets begins at noon the day before the parade, for that evening only. All No Parking areas and red curb zones remain off-limits, and vehicles in violation will be subject to impound and a fine.
In addition, overnight RV parking is available at the Rose Bowl Stadium prior to parade day. Overnight RV parking is located in Brookside Park at the Rose Bowl Stadium. RVs must be completely self contained. No hook ups. Space is limited. First come first served. Reservations not accepted. For additional information please call 626-577-3100.
Are you going to the parade?
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Tipi
Jan 6, 2012 @ 4:01 pm | delete
- Maybe that was you I saw on the sidelines waving and smiling!
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karmicchristian
Jan 5, 2012 @ 11:22 am | delete
- Would love to - someday! :)
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PTurner56
Oct 28, 2011 @ 12:20 am | delete
- I wouldn't miss it!
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TwoDogHouse
Jan 14, 2011 @ 6:58 pm | delete
- Someday, hopefully!
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Positivevibestechnician
Jan 10, 2011 @ 6:05 pm | delete
- i didnt go but i did watch on tv fun as always
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A couple more things to know
If the parade starts at 8:00 a.m. and you don't wake up until 8:30 a.m., you can still make it. Just go the end of the parade route. If you are less than an hour away, you might get there just when the parade does.
About Me
by wordstock
As a long time So Cal resident, I have not missed too many parades. The floats are beautiful to watch on TV but nothing beats them up close and person... more »
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Amazon Spotlight
Rose Parade Hair Clip Jewelry
Amazon Price: $24.99 (as of 06/04/2012)
