Filed under Los Angeles Living on December 17th, 2008:
Inclusive Guide to the Pasadena Rose Bowl
Photo by: something.from.nancy
Join 40 million Americans and millions more from around the world to celebrate the New Year with the exciting festivities of the Tournament of Roses. In 1890, the first Rose Parade began as a floral festival with a modest parade of flower-covered carriages and after games such as foot races, tug-of-war and sack races.
After 120 years, the Rose Bowl Parade will feature the magnificent floral floats, high-stepping equestrians and spirited marching bands. And, the tug-of-war game is now one of the top football games of the year – the Pasadena Rose Bowl! Whether you watch the events from your Los Angeles apartment or you are privileged enough to see it in person, here is some interesting and helpful information to make your viewing memorable.
120th Rose Bowl Parade
Date: January 1, 2009
Time: 8 AM PST
Theme: Hats Off to Entertainment
Grand Marshall: Cloris Leachman has been an actress on stage, screen and television for 60+ years, a comedian and now even a dancer, and represents the broad world of entertainment.
Rose Queen: Queen Courtney Chou Lee and the six Rose Princesses were selected based upon public speaking ability, poise, academic achievement and community involvement.
Route: Check out the Rose Bowl Parade Route.
Viewing: People can “camp out” on the Parade route starting at noon on December 31. Before midnight you must stay on the curb and after midnight you may move out to the blue line.
You can watch the parade from designated curbside locations along the route for free or buy tickets for grandstand seating by contacting Sharp Seating Company. In addition, the Rose Parade is broadcast live by nine networks: ABC, NBC, HGTV, Tribune, Univision, Telemundo, Travel Channel, Discovery HD Theater, Sky Link TV.
Rose Parade Floats
The Rose Parade’s elaborate floats have come a long way from the flower-covered carriages. A few floats are built exclusively by volunteers, but most are built by professional float building companies. Construction begins shortly after the previous year’s Parade is over. The process begins with a specially built chassis covered with a framework of steel and chicken wire. It’s then sprayed with a polyvinyl material, which is then painted in the colors of the flowers to be applied later.
Every inch of the float must be covered with flowers or other natural materials such as leaves, seeds, or bark. After Christmas, volunteer workers, with their hands and clothes covered with glue and petals, attach all the natural materials to the floats. The most delicate flowers are placed in individual vials of water, which are attached one by one. You may volunteer to help build a float or see the floats up close before or after the parade.
Rose Bowl Game
For all the football fans in your Los Angeles apartment, The Granddaddy of Them All®, the 95th Rose Bowl Game will be a match-up between No. 8 Penn State and No. 5 USC. This is always a sold out event, and tickets are very hard to find, but it will be broadcast exclusively on ABC and ESPN radio. And don’t miss the announcement of who will be inducted into the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame!
In the weeks leading up to the Tournament of Roses, there are a variety of events for all ages to enjoy. So spend at least part of the New Years Holiday with millions of Americans, as they enjoy the tradition of the Tournament of Roses.
Check out the visitors guide for an exclusive listing of events and information.