Get ready for next year’s Tournament of Roses in Pasadena, California on January 2, 2017 at 8:00 am Pacific Standard Time. The Rose Parade will be turning 128-years-old! This year, South Pasadena will be putting together the float Never Give Up, designed by South Pasadena resident Anne Mueller. The design features the classic story of the tortoise and the hare.
Photo Credit: https://www.facebook.com/SPRoseFloat/?fref=nf
South Pasadena is known as home of The Oldest Self-Built Float in the Rose Parade. The South Pasadena 2016 float, named Fishing Follies, won a National Trophy. Last year’s theme was Find Your Adventure. The South Pasadena Tournament of Roses Committee works every year to create a float, with the help of volunteers, and represent South Pasadena’s hometown charm in the Rose Parade.
The Tournament of Roses and the Rose Bowl Game have been an American New Year’s celebration since 1893. Remember, the event never takes place on Sundays, because in the 19th century, residents’ horses that were parked on the street outside of churches would have been disturbed by the parade. The Rose Bowl Stadium is home to the rose bowl, which is the college football game known as “the granddaddy of them all,” since 1902.
Each year, the non-profit organization The Tournament of Roses Association puts together the event with the help of 935 volunteers, known as “White Suiters.” Volunteers are all residents of Pasadena, who live within a 15 mile radius of Pasadena City Hall. The Tournament of Roses Association is headquartered at the Tournament House, formerly the Wrigley Mansion.
Photo Credit: https://moneymatters101.com/holidays/jan/roseparade.asp
If you’re in the South Pasadena area, you can visit the All-America Rose Selections’ test gardens at the Tournament House. There are also exhibits in the house on the history of the Rose Parade.
For the 2017 Rose Parade, the theme Echoes of Success has been selected by Brad Ratliff, the President of The Tournament of Roses Association. Every year, there is also a royal court of the parade, the queen and king, and a Grand Marshal. Last year’s Grand Marshal was Ken Burns, the documentary filmmaker.
Photo Credit: https://www.pasadenastarnews.com/lifestyle/20160101/videos-watch-some-of-the-best-moments-from-the-2016-rose-parade
To help raise money to create the float each year, The South Pasadena Tournament of Roses Committee puts on fundraising events in the community. The events for the 2017 float include Wine & Beer Tasting, a Golf Tournament, Cruz’n for Roses Hot Rod & Classic Car Show, and Crunch Time Party.
Look for tickets to these fundraising events on the South Pasadena Tournament of Roses website here: https://www.sptor.org/. You can also assist in decorating the float! Look for details on volunteering on the website as well. The float is decorated and constructed with the assistance of volunteers. Additionally, the public can submit float designs through the website.
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