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America's Special Delivery
Tournament of Roses Parade 1985. "America's Special Delivery". Presented by Florists' Transworld Delivery. Note the "White Suiter"Tournament volunteer on his scooter. Pasadena025The Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena is a well-known celebration of New Year's Day. Susan and I went to see the parade on New year's Day 1985. (It's the only time I have seen it in person.) It really is quite a spectacle, with themed flower-bedecked floats, marching bands, and costumed equestrian units.The Tournament of Roses and its parade began in 1890 as a way for citizens of the new city of Pasadena to show off Southern California and its mild Winter climate to the folks "Back East". Floats began as carriages decorated with flowers. Today, the self-propelled floral floats are elaborately decorated in an array of different blooms and plant material. Decorations follow the theme of that year and may be humorous, animated, or aim for pure spectacle. Floats may be sponsored by cities and towns, philanthropic organizations, or corporations. The Rose Parade starts on Orange Grove Blvd. turns on to Colorado Blvd., and continues through downtown Pasadena to Sierra Madre Blvd. Seeing the parade by standing on the sidewalk is free. (Tickets for grandstand
An American Duet
Tournament of Roses Parade 1985. "An American Duet--Business and the Arts". Presented by Pea Soup Andersen's Highway Centers. Note live ballet dancers on the float. Pasadena026a seating can also be purchased.) Many people like to camp out along the parade route on New Year's Eve and secure a sidewalk space. Parking can be a problem as Pasadena does not permit overnight street parking.
One can also walk to Colorado Blvd. on New Year's morning. That's what we did. A friend of my aunt allowed us to park at her house not far from the parade route. We walked to Colorado Blvd. near the intersection with Orange Grove and looked for a place to stand. The people who had spent the night there were not welcoming to latecomers! This corner is where a lot of the action is. The TV stands are here and the floats make the turn from Orange Grove to Colorado. The parade began with a motorcycle escort made up of police officers and sheriff's deputies from all over the Los Angeles basin. Each floral bedecked float has a theme and they compete for award trophies. The
Los Angeles Times published the parade Order of March with the floats, individuals, musical units and equestrian units named so spectators could follow along. Each year the parade has a different overall theme which the floats
Valley Hunt Club
Tournament of Roses Parade 1985. Valley Hunt Club. (The decorated carriage represents the first Rose Parade.)
Pasadena027 try to represent. The 1985 theme was The Spirit of America.
The Rose Parade never occurs on a Sunday. When New Year's Day is on a Sunday, the parade is held on Monday.
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