The University of Wisconsin earned a spot to play in the Tournament of Roses' official football bowl held in Pasadena, California on January 2, 2012 for the twelfth time. The launch of this first-ever post season college football match is attributed to the Parade of Roses, originally hosted by the city's Valley Hunt Club in 1890, a group of Midwest and East Coast folks that had taken up residence in the gorgeous state.
In its early years, after the parade peculiar events like an ostrich race, and a race between a camel and elephant entertained a mere 2,000 attendees, hence the title of tournament. A football match was eventually introduced, but was scrapped for chariot races when the University of Michigan squashed USC in the first match. It wasn't until 1916 that the foundation reintroduced college football.
The parade and football game are held annually on January 1st, except when it falls on a Sunday like this year, a day that started as a crisp forty degrees and sunny. Historically, rain has only fallen on a few days' festivities.
Broadcast internationally in Belgium, the Philippines, Peru, India, Japan, Fiji, Mexico, China, Guam and more, the world 'wow'ed together at the complex float designs using only flowers, vegetables, seeds, herbs and other natural products. Professional float engineers work for a near year-in-advance to keep the audience buzzing in the tall 3-story bleachers raised beside the parade route streets.
Our favorite float was 'Dinosaurs in L.A.'s Backyard' sponsored by the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County. The float featured a life-sized Triceratops and Tyrannosaurus Rex named Thomas. 'T the Rex' had a head covered in green brussel sprouts, dark green galyx leaves, lime green romanesco, parsley flakes and whole split peas.
Professional float firms with productions in the Rose Parade included Artistic Entertainment Services, Fiesta Parade Floats, Downey Rose Float Foundation, and Phoenix Decorating Company. Still, a good handful of entries were self-built.
We watched the floats glide by us on Colorado Boulevard just after their first right turn from Orange Grove Boulevard. 100,000 people squished between the sun and the street - a mix of regular attendees wise enough to bring bleacher cushions and first timers with wide eyes, cameras out and on - felt the excitement of the tradition step-up our hearts' beat. At the same time the temperature crept up to the mid-seventies.
The Natural Balance Pet Foods float featured Tillman the surfing and skateboarding bull dog. This is one hip pooch that takes life by the horns.
The Girl Scouts of America float had 'all natural' Caramel Delight and Shortbread cookies. They look like a real, giant cookie!
The Good Year blimp repeatedly floated the route from above while other metal birds popped in for a peak too, and to wish the world a Happy - prosperous and healthy - New Year!
B-2 air power stealth bomber with a wingspan half thr size of a football field.
Marching bands, including Wisconsin's and Bucky Badger, revved our spirits in anticipation of the big game against Oregon. We really enjoyed the peppy step in the Kyoto Tachibana High School Green Band from Ktoto-Shi, Japan. First time participants, the group had been one of the Japan's oldest female bands until recently going co-ed.
The Parade of Roses holds true to its original intent: making us momentary migrants jealous of Pasadena's enchanting views and climate in the middle of our winter. By the time the last drum could be heard our sweatshirts were off. Not bad for January second. Taking in the city's character really is a great way to kick-off a new year.
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