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Pasadena Tournament of Roses
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January 1st - New
Years Day
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On January 1st millions of
spectators from around the world will celebrate the New Year with the Rose
Parade. The Rose Parade features the beautiful pageantry and
tradition of magnificent floral floats, high-stepping equestrians and
marching bands.
The first Tournament of Roses was staged in 1890
by members of Pasadena's Valley Hunt Club,
former residents of the East and Midwest eager to
showcase their new home's mild winter weather.
"In New York, people are buried in snow,"
announced Professor Charles F. Holder at a Club
meeting. "Here our flowers are blooming and our
oranges are about to bear. Let's hold a festival to
tell the world about our paradise. "During the next few years, the
festival expanded to include marching bands and motorized floats. In 1902,
the Tournament of Roses decided to enhance the day’s festivities by
adding a football game – the first post season college football game
ever held. The Tournament of Roses has come a long way since its early
days. The Rose Parade’s elaborate floats now feature high-tech
computerized animation and exotic natural materials from around the world.
Although a few floats are still built exclusively by volunteers from their
sponsoring communities, most are built by professional float building
companies and take nearly a year to construct. The year-long effort pays
off on New Year’s morning, when millions of viewers around the world
enjoy the Rose Parade. Each year, the new President of the Tournament of
Roses has the privilege of selecting a theme for the upcoming festivities.
The theme is used to inspire the ideas for the magnificent floral floats
that will appear in the Rose Parade. The Tournament of Roses encompasses
more than the Rose Parade and
Rose Parade and Rose Bowl Game. In the weeks and days leading up to the
Rose Parade and Rose Bowl Game there are a variety of special events that
add to the enjoyment and excitement of the Tournament. There are chances
to see the equestrian groups put on special performances and see the
participating marching bands up close. |
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