topic Re: The Rose Parade in Community Chat

The Rose Parade

halfpint1 — Mon, 02 Jan 2017 17:01:55 GMT

Has anyone seen it in person. I live close by Pasadena but the only thing is going to see the floats afterward. Really something. Wish I had boots on for it was freezing. And I grew up in Minnesota.

Re: The Rose Parade

house_cat — Mon, 02 Jan 2017 17:04:22 GMT

We went in 2002.

Growing up on the east coast, it was on my bucket list. I'm glad I went, but it's expensive and requires a VERY early start to the day.

If you have a chance to go, do it. It's worth the effort.

Re: The Rose Parade

sugar22 — Mon, 02 Jan 2017 17:20:06 GMT

We flew out 28 yrs ago when Michigan state was in the rose bowl game. Got up at 3 am to get to the parade. It was chilly, but we loved it. My husband and I watch it every year and remember that trip. We viewed the floats being built and the smells were fantastic!

Re: The Rose Parade

gmkb — Mon, 02 Jan 2017 17:26:48 GMT

We went about 12 years ago. It was raining and cold. Locals said it was the first time it had rained on the parade in about 15 years. I felt badly for the participants in the parade because their floats were ruined and the participants were under dressed and soaked.

As miserable as we were, I felt badly for those connected to the parade because they were very personally affected.

Re: The Rose Parade

patbz — Mon, 02 Jan 2017 17:30:31 GMT

WheN I lived in S.CA.went once. It was worth it but a cold early day. Have been to see the floats the day after twice. That is more fun to get really close to the flowers (and some of the floats were still animated. The day after is also great for terrific pics.

Re: The Rose Parade

ms traditional — Mon, 02 Jan 2017 17:32:17 GMT

no - i am enjoying this year's this a.m. loved the surfing dogs. !!! lots of beautiful amazing entries this year. sorry the sun isn't out for everyone - but no rain ( of course!)

Re: The Rose Parade

patbz — Mon, 02 Jan 2017 17:38:19 GMT

I used to work with a gal whose family were in the entertainment industry. In the early fifties her family stayed at Roy Rogers home the year he was Grand Marshall and it rained. She shared that when he returned from the parade he took off his boots (which were full of water).

Re: The Rose Parade

judy0330 — Mon, 02 Jan 2017 17:52:51 GMT

We live on the east coast. Years ago my husband and stepson went when Michigan (where my stepson was an undergard student at the time and my husband had gone for grad school) was in the Rose Bowl. It was a package where they went to the game -- to the parade -- and also to see the floats being made the night before the parade -- which they really enjoyed. I had zero interest -- which is why I didn't go!

Re: The Rose Parade

DiAnne — Mon, 02 Jan 2017 17:56:33 GMT

I was born in Pasadena and my parents were both raised there. We went to the Rose Parade every year. We went to my grandparents house for a picnic in backyard after the parade and then the family who had Rose Bowl tickets would leave from there. Great childhood memory.

Re: The Rose Parade

1jenniferjuniper — Mon, 02 Jan 2017 18:34:06 GMT

@halfpint1 wrote:
Has anyone seen it in person. I live close by Pasadena but the only thing is going to see the floats afterward. Really something. Wish I had boots on for it was freezing. And I grew up in Minnesota.

Yes, my parents took us (4 young children) to the parade. It was beautiful! The floats are amazing and so much bigger in person.

everyone should go at least once!

Re: The Rose Parade

Wild Rose — Mon, 02 Jan 2017 18:34:52 GMT

My nephew is marching today in an honor band. We live on the East Coast, but my sister and family live in So. California. My nephew is in high school, auditioned a few months ago, and was chosen....so very exciting to watch this year!! My sister has lived in California now, for over 20 years, and this is her first trip to the parade...needless to say there is a big group there with her to see my nephew march!

Re: The Rose Parade

Desertdi — Mon, 02 Jan 2017 19:42:58 GMT

My husband used to go with the people from work. I stayed home and watched it on TV......where I had FOOD and a BATHROOM........(and HEAT)

Re: The Rose Parade

Moonchilde — Mon, 02 Jan 2017 20:09:35 GMT

Born and raised in SoCal. I went once, in my early 20s. We had to catch the bus from the ticket company at 5 am. You get to the seating area about an hour early, and of course you want food and something hot to drink. But if you have it, especially anything to drink - you need to calculate how high up in the bleachers your seat is, and how many times you're prepared to go up and down to pee. Seriously.

It was fun, an adventure, exciting, etc. and we were young. But unless you pay to have really good seats in bleachers at one of the preferred viewing areas, you have better views on your TV.

Camping out on the curb for the best views is not for sissies. It's noisy, freezing cold, the sidewalk makes a lousy bed, and it's not always safe from drunks & rowdies. The smart ones who go that route use a camper parked nearby and take turns with several others sleeping and staking out space.

It wasn't that comfy at 22. Now, I would be terrified going up and down HIGH bleachers with few to no handrails, back and forth to the potty, or trying to sit for 3+ hours without going up and down but not daring to eat or drink.

I think going to the after-viewing is the best idea.

Re: The Rose Parade

tansy — Mon, 02 Jan 2017 20:13:46 GMT

I've seen the floats after the parade a few times. Way too much hassle to see the parade in action.

I really enjoyed the float today with the surfing dogs although it looked awfully chilly for them.

Re: The Rose Parade

suzyQ3 — Mon, 02 Jan 2017 21:57:19 GMT

I went with my boyfriend (now husband) and some other couples way back in 1967, which was another Monday Rose Parade.

We went the night before and slept in sleeping bags on the sidewalk. My most vivid memory was trying to find a restroom in the morning. I think we sneaked into a church, but not sure.

To be honest, I'm just not a parade person, so the fun for was everything else.

Re: The Rose Parade

arrabella — Mon, 02 Jan 2017 22:24:04 GMT

@tansy wrote:
I've seen the floats after the parade a few times. Way too much hassle to see the parade in action.

I really enjoyed the float today with the surfing dogs although it looked awfully chilly for them.

They said that the water was heated.

Re: The Rose Parade

MarieIG — Mon, 02 Jan 2017 23:49:16 GMT

No. I did watch and enjoyed (much of the parade) - from my Lazy Boy, with a cup of hot coffee and a bowl of fresh roses next to me. Love the horses and the beautiful flowers. (I will add that I have always had less than stellar eye-sight - nearsighted - so the tv actually helps me see things I can't see in person.)

Re: The Rose Parade

Kachina624 — Mon, 02 Jan 2017 23:46:28 GMT

I've watched it every year as long as I can remember but it just doesn't seem to be the big deal it used to be. I watched it in bed this morning and fell back asleep, missing almost the whole parade. The commentators don't seem to be as good as the used to be.

Re: The Rose Parade

DiAnne — Mon, 02 Jan 2017 23:57:43 GMT

@Kachina624 wrote:
I've watched it every year as long as I can remember but it just doesn't seem to be the big deal it used to be. I watched it in bed this morning and fell back asleep, missing almost the whole parade. The commentators don't seem to be as good as the used to be.

They used to use the whole flowers. The one thing I remember as a child was the smell of all those flowers. Heavenly. Now they have gotten more sophisticated with seeds and beans, etc.