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Published: January 9th 2008
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January 1, 2008, 4:30 a.m.
Verne, Linda, Paul and Patti - only a few more hours to go! Hello and Happy New Year to Everyone! What a great start we had to the New Year! Of course we had to miss the "ringing in" of the New Year - as bed beckoned a little early and wake up time came far too soon!! You know me, the social planner, I was adamant that all had to be up and out of the house by 4 a.m.! I was not a popular person! Patti, Paul and Sarah Jo came from Carlsbad (near San Diego) the day before, and Jessica (an L.A. Canadian friend) showed up at the door at 3:30 a.m.....she had been partying and decided to just stay up all night. Ten of us bundled into the two vans, and off we went - a short drive to Pasadena. Luckily enough the freeway wasn't too bad at that time in the morning. We made record time, drove into the City - which was very much alive at 4:30 a.m. - everyone was sleeping/eating/partying on the streets. Tons of people - of course it is reported that over 1,000,000 view the parade in person! And we were among that million! We had reserved parking, easily located, and because we
Tail Gate Party
They had food!! But we didn't get invited. Next time we will be more prepared! were early, all sat in the vans waiting till a more godly hour to head for our seats. People are happy at that time in the morning - I wouldn't have guessed! Tail-gate parties in the parking lot, families getting to-gether for this one special New Year's event - and what an event it was!!!
Still dark, we headed off on a 15 minute walk towards our seating. David had purchased some little folding seats with the backs on, in order to make sitting a bit more pleasant. It was cold at first, some of us wearing Santa hats so we wouldn't get lost in the crowd. It was great to be in the midst of thousands of happy people! Daylight, and no place to get coffee!! We hadn't had any since leaving the parking lot - and none could be found close by. We thought there would be food along the route - but just our luck - 10 starving people having to wait 5 more hours to eat! Maria had packed a few oranges - thank goodness!
Finally, the parade was forming - our grandstand seats were near the first of the parade. Great seats -
Jessica and Verne
All ready to party! we could see everything. Our seats were $75 per person, row C and D in the second set of bleachers - the first being 4 low rows on the boulevard . Then a walking space, then our bleachers began. The people sitting beside Maria were from Burlington, their daughter in the colour guard of the Burlington Teen Tour Band. Small world! At 8 a.m. the F18's flew over in formation and the parade began right on the dot! The parade went as scheduled and was just over two hours long. It is remarkable that over 90 bands, floats and various groups marched smartly by us without a hitch.
Well, I can't describe the thrill of being there - everyone should attend The Rose Parade at least once in their life! The floats were magnificent, every inch covered in flowers, seeds, leaves, corn, walnuts, coconut, any live plant life - amazing!!! Emeril Lagasse was Grand Marshall, the Rose Queen and Princesses were lovely, Bob from Sesame Street, hockey player Brad May with the Stanley Cup, etc. etc. etc. Dancers, musicians, actors, circus performers, colour guards and bands galore. One band, the Los Angeles Unified School District High School Honor Band
We're In Our Seats!
This was about 6:45 a.m....only a little over an hour to wait! had 357 marching musicians - it was thrilling to see them perform, do their fancy steps and play like there was no tomorrow!!! The float named "Life Takes Flight" carried 24 people who's lives had been saved by organ transplant. The four hot air balloons were adorned with "floragraphs" (photos done in flowers) of organ and tissue doners from across the country. Every individual rose on the float carried a message of love and gratitude to a donor, recipient or candidate in need of a transplant. This float brought the message home. The Salvation Army Band was led by Kevin Larsson"a relative by marriage" on Mom's side. I've yet to get in touch - but I will! A float in tribute to the Olympic Games being held in Beijing China in 2008 was to be protested by 1,000 marchers re the Chinese Government's policy on human rights. The police on horse back were in full force behind the float - just in case a problem was encountered. Only a handful of protesters were on hand and marched before the beginning of the parade.
The horses, prancing with their riders dressed in eye catching costumes, with one group of horses
Excited!
Do I look excited or what??? decked out in silver saddles were wonderful to see. The U. S. Equestrian Team, Arizona Mini Mystique - a miniature horse precision team, The Cowgirl Chicks - a stunt riding and "singing" group sure wowed the crowd. What is it with long blond puffy hair and cowgirls!!! The Mexican rope riders were amazing and performed lasso tricks right in front of us. What a show! What a parade! What a morning! Never to be forgotten memories!!
After the very last float, at the very end - every kind of flotsam and jetsam were present!!!! Protesters - large paper mache figures of Bush and his group with signs "impeach Bush", etc. etc. Other signs, people with microphones telling the crowd they would "burn in hell", protesting EVERYTHING.....David yelled "down with waffles, down with waffles". He had his say as well!!!!!
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