So this is the first year I have been in Pasadena for the Tournament of Roses (AKA The Rose Parade). But New Years day fell on a Sunday this year- and there is a Tournament rule making it so the parade can’t be held on a Sunday- and instead it is postponed until the next day (Jan 2, Monday). I thought this decision was for religious purposes-but this is what I found as the real explanation (Wikipedia):
“Local tradition has it that ‘the Tournament has a deal with God; we’ll never hold the parade on a Sunday, and He’ll never let it rain on the Rose Parade.’ However, according to the Tournament of Roses Association Web site, this ‘Never on Sunday’ policy was instituted in order “to avoid frightening horses tethered outside local churches and thus interfering with worship services.”
The Tournament of Roses has been a New Years tradition since 1890. Around 700,000 patrons lined the streets of Pasadena for the parade on Jan 2, 2012. Millions of people also tuned in on TV to see the amazing floats covered in flowers, marching bands from across the WORLD, and equestrian groups.
I actually used to work on the city of South Pasadena’s float for volunteer hours in Middle School and High School- it was a lot of fun to be a part of something so amazing! This year the South Pasadena float won an award!!! The “Fantasy Award”- GO SOUTH PAS! CONGRATS!
I didn’t get to see all of the floats unfortunately because I slept in a bit 🙂 hehe… But I did take some photos that I wanted to share with you of the parade. There were so many people- it was INSANE. I had fun being a lone soldier wandering up and down the sidewalks (a very tight squeeze the whole time) while taking some snap shots.
Parade goers had started to stake out their spots at 10:30am the day BEFORE the parade- some families are really hardcore when it comes to the parade route and their “special spot.” RV’s flooded the surrounding streets- and the party was an all nighter the night before the parade. Believe me, I heard all the hooting and hollering from my bedroom a half a block away haha.
Until next year Rose Parade 🙂
Photography + Science = Chanel 
wow, great shots of the parade. It is a bucket list item for those that have never been to one. Hope to join you next year! Happy New Year and keep on blogging!
Looks like u stayed on the south side of Colorado Blvd. Trash is the sight two sea post-parade! And the city taking out all the trash cans along the parade route doesn’t help the trashy situation. Do u recall if u took a pic of the Kiwanis float, CH?
Yeah I live closer to Sierra Madre- so I stuck towards the end of the route. It was really disgusting to see all the trash left along Colorado- I walked back home after brunch from Burger Continental on Lake and was just appalled. But they sure do have a fast clean-up crew because the next day it was spick and span! It was also nice to see a “green team” picking up all the recyclable items along the street post parade- go sustainability! No I didn’t get a picture of the Kiwanis float..unfortunately.