Rose Parade Thread. Who's watching / who's going?

[TPC]

We've froze our asses off a few times in the past at the parade.
Best part was the cars cruising up and down Colorado Bl before they closed it off to traffic.
Classics, low riders, donks, scrapers,, quite a show.

We noticed that it's no longer Pasadena Collage Students as the Queen and her Court.
Talk was because in the past right after they were selected enrollment at the school dropped significantly.
So now it's high school students.

Time was ALL LA TV stations covered the Parade. Even KMEX and KCET PBS with Huell Howser of course.

Best was turn down the TV Volume and turn up Frasier Smith's narration on KLOS.
Bill Clit-on was in office and that lent a lot of comedy material.

Anyone watch it anymore, or even make the trek to Pasadena in person?

 

[RitcheyRch]

We've gone in the past but really hate dealing with the crowds. We will watch it on TV in the comfort of our home.

 

[FlyByWire]

I used to watch it every single year when I lived there as a kid.

Then I became an adult and had to WORK it (overtime) and I’ve never watched it since.

 

[monkeyswrench]

We watch it on TV as a family every year. I went once as a kid...remember tortilla Frisbee's being thrown. Maybe '85?

 

[FlyByWire]

We watch it on TV as a family every year. I went once as a kid...remember tortilla Frisbee's being thrown. Maybe '85?

They still do that. I’d work the detail the night before going up and down the parade route all night the night before, and we’d have to dodge the tortillas (covered in whipped cream) so we didn’t wash out the the front wheel of the bike

 

[4Waters]

Never watched it, I've never been interested

 

[Javajoe]

Went once in the 80’s. Cold and crowded. Now we just keep in on as we mess around and occasionally watch it. It’s just so so watching it on TV. Funny how almost every float gets some kind of award lol.
Didn’t that mattress king or a furniture guy have a deal about if it rain on the parade your loan is forgiven or something of that nature?

 

[Chili Palmer]

I cruised the parade route one year in my friend’s convertible and had a blast. We tried to spend the night one time, but got rained out. This was in the 80’s. In the early 2000’s my wife got tickets from work to watch the parade in the grandstands near Orange Grove, my kids were about 4 and 8, it was just too damn cold and pretty boring. After about an hour into the parade we split and went home. Haven’t really been interested since.

 

[TPC]

I cruised the parade route one year in my friend’s convertible and had a blast. We tried to spend the night one time, but got rained out. This was in the 80’s. In the early 2000’s my wife got tickets from work to watch the parade in the grandstands near Orange Grove, my kids were about 4 and 8, it was just too damn cold and pretty boring. After about an hour into the parade we split and went home. Haven’t really been interested since.

That’s the way to roll.

 

[River Dirt 2]

My wife was a volunteer for T of R for 30 years, retired last year. I’ve been to the parade and game damn near every year in some capacity.
Great times. We got to do tons of amazing events and meet lots of great people over the years.

 

[Ducksquasher]

I think everyone should spend the night at least once as a teenager...it's a good time running around on Colorado Blvd. all night. My wife was a Princess on the '94 Court. Our drill for many years now is that we head over to Orange Grove Blvd. about 5:00 AM, stroll up and down checking out the floats up close, enjoy coffee and the sunrise kicking off the new year. The bands are tuning up on the side streets, the horses and so on are lining up on another side street and then we watch the Stealth fly over to start the parade then we head out. We are back home by 10:00 AM for brunch with the parade recorded on one TV so you get all of the details/commentary about the floats, the early bowl game on another TV and then mid-afternoon a big spread food for the rest of the bowl games.

Like I said...I think everyone should see the parade at least once in-person, though. It is a pretty cool parade and one of the reasons that SoCal doesn't completely suck?

 

[Bobby V]

Been watching the parade since I was a kid. Loved to see the USC band and OSU/Michigan band in the parade and the Rose Bowl later.

 

[River Dirt 2]

Been watching the parade since I was a kid. Loved to see the USC band and OSU/Michigan band in the parade and the Rose Bowl later.

If you like the bands this is a pretty cool event with all of the parade bands performing.

Day 2 of Bandfest in Pasadena continues early showcase of Rose Parade marching bands

A second day of Bandfest thrilled crowds on Monday at PCC’s Jackie Robinson Stadium. Here’s how it went.

www.pasadenastarnews.com

 

[Flying_Lavey]

My aunt has been volunteering at the Burbank Rose float for years. City of Burbank is one of the last remaining 100% volunteer designed and built floats in the parade. My old gym teacher is highly active over there as well, mostly on the structural side. I might try volunteering a bit on next years. This year was just too crazy with everything going on in my life.

 

[River Dirt 2]

Rose Parade 2025: Your ultimate guide to watching from home

It’s almost time for the annual parade, filled with music, floats and, of course, roses. Want to watch from home? Here’s everything you need to know.

www.pasadenastarnews.com

 

[rivermobster]

I used to watch it every single year when I lived there as a kid.

Then I became an adult and had to WORK it (overtime) and I’ve never watched it since.

I went once in Highschool. That was more than enough for me.

 

[coolchange]

I went once just out of high school. What a drunk and stupid night that was. Don’t think we even stayed for the parade getting up to our point. Hauled ass to beat the traffic.
Then worked it a couple years for metro channel 11. At the Wrigley mansion position. What a pain in the ass. Work New Year’s Eve, and haul ass back to the station before midnight. Then sleep in the car because had to be back at the station at 4 AM. It was fun being on the street in the morning watching everybody get ready and doing the pre-parade.

The wife said she would like to do it. NFW.
I’ll be at Weekend Paradice New Year’s Day boating.

 

[bowtiejunkie]

I watch every year. Commentators are not very good as in decades past, but I don't get any so cal TV channels. Never been in person. My uncle participated in mid 1960's one year as part of the high school marching band. I believe my parents each stayed over night one year before they met. Kind of a So Cal thing to do.

 

[stephenkatsea]

Went to the Rose Parade with neighbors when I was 9. That was enough. Never again. BTW - previous mention of the USC band . . . .That band SUX, always has. IMO, one of the best was the unpredictable Stanford Band. Their drum section would march while drinking from quart size bottles of Colt 45. But seriously, they could play. The huge college bands from the mid west are a different breed and lifestyle all their own.

I’d like to see John O’Hurley, the guy who played the commentator in Best of Show, do the Rose Parade. He could make it interesting.

 

[Bobby V]

Went to the Rose Parade with neighbors when I was 9. That was enough. Never again. BTW - previous mention of the USC band . . . .That band SUX, always has. IMO, one of the best was the unpredictable Stanford Band. Their drum section would march while drinking from quart size bottles of Colt 45. But seriously, they could play. The huge college bands from the mid west are a different breed and lifestyle all their own.

I’d like to see John O’Hurley, the guy who played the commentator in Best of Show, do the Rose Parade. He could make it interesting.

You do realize that the college bands that are featured in the parade are there because their football team is playing in the Rose Bowl game. USC has been there 33 times.

BTW...Stanfords band is best know for being wacky and getting run over by the Cal football team. The trombone player took a big hit in the endzone.

 

[stephenkatsea]

You do realize that the college bands that are featured in the parade are there because their football team is playing in the Rose Bowl game. USC has been there 33 times.

BTW...Stanfords band is best know for being wacky and getting run over by the Cal football team. The trombone player took a big hit in the endzone.

I do remember that. Believe Stanford’s bass drums had blown up Penthouse Pets on them. But that SC band was/is so cool, they even wear sunglasses. They look like a bunch of Joe Biden’s out there

 

[Ziggy]

Watching (any)parades on TV is generally nap time for me. Boring AF. Most exciting part is seeing if the big floats can make the Orange Grove to W Colorado turn

 

[badgas]

Not watching or going

 

[HgH Vltg]

My dad's been a tournament member for 30 + years so I've been around it my whole life. I took the wife last year for her first time. Thankfully we get access to the VIP grandstand on Orange Grove, otherwise ingress and egress stinks. All those years my wife asking to go, we finally get there, and she's cold and bored within 20mins.

 

[Crazyhippy]

Had an apt at Pasadena blvd and Valley in 2019. The bands lined up along Pasadena starting around 3am, just outside my patio. Was pretty cool to see, but ZERO desire to go deal with the crowds not having a base there.

 

[Willie B]

… Been smart enough to stay away from the parade itself… But one year myself and my Newport Beach girlfriend cruised Colorado Boulevard the day after the parade and we’re given carte blanche to go look at the floats back in storage… red 70 Torino convertible with the top down… i’m guessing we had more fun than the people standing out in the cold the night before

 

[Willie B]

We've froze our asses off a few times in the past at the parade.
Best part was the cars cruising up and down Colorado Bl before they closed it off to traffic.
Classics, low riders, donks, scrapers,, quite a show.

We noticed that it's no longer Pasadena Collage Students as the Queen and her Court.
Talk was because in the past right after they were selected enrollment at the school dropped significantly.
So now it's high school students.

Time was ALL LA TV stations covered the Parade. Even KMEX and KCET PBS with Huell Howser of course.

Best was turn down the TV Volume and turn up Frasier Smith's narration on KLOS.
Bill Clit-on was in office and that lent a lot of comedy material.

Anyone watch it anymore, or even make the trek to Pasadena in person?

… You hit it with the Fraser Smith dialogue on the Rose Parade… did a couple of all nighters listening to him narrate the parade… the first year. It was hysterical… The second was kind of like he tried too hard… But still very entertaining….

… This YouTube vid is from a KLOS 2015 parade narration… i’ve never heard it before… This could be interesting…

 

[Ct5]

I’m not huge on the parade deal or crowds but the Rose Bowl/parade is iconic so I’ve always wanted to go. I bought tickets a couple years ago for the wife and I to the Utah vs Penn State game and we went. Left the high desert around 7am, took our time and got breakfast, and there was no traffic along the way and we pulled right into the tailgate parking with no wait. We couldn’t believe it. Poured a Redbull vodka and walked quite a ways to chase the parade. Caught about an hour of it. Walked back to the stadium and tailgated with friends for a few hours then watched the game. Traffic was bad leaving, but overall it was one of the best experiences we've had in California. I’d like to take the kids, but I’m not sure our luck will be the same, or the experience would be the same with them bitching the whole time. Pasadena is a badass place!

 

[Willie B]

 

[THE WIDGE]

11 hours in, 1 more to go, worked all night on the parade route. 2 maybe 3 more of these and never again in my life

 

[CLdrinker]

Never understood parades. About as much fun as watching golf.

 

[TPC]

If it wasn't for all the yapping the host announcers do smothering out the performance music, it'd be much better.
KOST FM used to do the sound only with no presenter chatter.

Someone in this thread mentioned USC band is shitty,,, about 15 minutes before posting that I realized it watching them perform on You Tube. I can see why they usually only ever play 3 tunes.
Ya don't usually notice it because of the song girls.

When Maynard was 14 he was a Neuro Science student at USC living in the dorms with other 14 year olds in his room.
One of the Song girls was their House Mother.
She got credit, a dorm room and a 'honorarium" paycheck for it.

Maynard being a T&A man,, it worked. On her day off - day away from the boys, they'd take the USC shuttle to Union Station, then the Metrolink to the Burbank Station to short walking distance Hooters.

 

[Albert]

Why does it always have to be a perfect sunny day in So Cal every New Years? You’ve seen California…now go home..

 

[Bobby V]

Why does it always have to be a perfect sunny day in So Cal every New Years? You’ve seen California…now go home..

I worked on a couple job sites that had workers from Wisconsin. I asked them what brought them to So Cal. They said they came out for the parade and game and never went back.

 

[Music to my Ears]

20 years ago today, celebrating the start of Disneyland’s 50th Anniversary at the Rose Parade. I led the Disneyland Band and Fanfare Trumpets for the event. The good news was we only had to go through the camera area and then cut off. The Disney float continued and the musicians and dancers jumped on the bus and were done. I would have probably died if we marched the whole route!

 

[musicFunsun]

I was a pedal pusher one year in the mid 70’s then went to the parade. Once was enough!
A few years ago we went to see the floats on display. That was pretty cool. A family friend drives a float each year. He is driving the one the BB King & Elvis this year.

 

[jeteater1]

Born and raised in Altadena. So been there from riding wheelies , on my Webco down the route. To cruising with our drag bikes in the back of trucks looking for some races later that night . Only watch on TV anymore. I don't care for busy places after living in the country for years.

 

[HCP3]

My young kid loves watching it on TV.

These singers who are not parading are ruining it.

 

[stephenkatsea]

20 years ago today, celebrating the start of Disneyland’s 50th Anniversary at the Rose Parade. I led the Disneyland Band and Fanfare Trumpets for the event. The good news was we only had to go through the camera area and then cut off. The Disney float continued and the musicians and dancers jumped on the bus and were done. I would have probably died if we marched the whole route! View attachment 1465237 View attachment 1465238 View attachment 1465239

Your Disneyland Band was made up of true players. Every one of them. Always a pleasure to hear your band.

 

[TPC]

KTLA Band Cam website no commercials no narration.

 

[Kbach]

I’ve had to work the parade the last 7-8 yrs and it’s always entertaining/tiring/boring/etc! I’m responsible for the Honda float and related vehicles in the parade (pace car, sound car, opening/closing show stuff etc). We work nonstop from about 5am the 31st through the end of the parade on the 1st. Usually about 32 hrs straight, no sleep.

There’s another RDP member on here (can’t remember who though) and his dad drives our float. It’s always a good time shooting the shit with him over the random hrs of the day/night

All in all, can’t complain since it turns out to be about a weeks OT pay in one shot.

 

[TPC]

Your Disneyland Band was made up of true players. Every one of them. Always a pleasure to hear your band.

When we were little kids the Disneyland Band was bigger than life, really something special.
Still are.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wife mentioned she likes this band from Japan.
For high school kid their brass never sounds soggy, the reed instruments don't sound weak like can happen in bands at that age.

 

[whiteworks]

SoCal born and raised, watched it on tv as a kid and adult but never made the 25 mile drive over there to see it live until about 10 years ago. I’ve seen it live in person once with the wife and kid, courtesy of @spotondl who runs the tv production stuff for the event. We drove over super early in the morning and ditched the car in a parking garage and made our way towards the grandstands on Colorado and Orange grove corner where the commentators for Chanel 5 sit. Rich told me to get as close to grandstand as we could and then he’d come find us with credentials and take us the rest of the way in. Once inside the production compound I was given a radio and asked where I would like to sit, I chose front row center in the grandstand. Not sure how you get those seats or what they cost but we set up first and as people showed up that were supposed to be there I’d just turn up the production radio and pretend I was working
It was cool to see the parade and smell the roses front and center with my wife and daughter and an experience I’m grateful to have had.

In the years since we have gone over and toured the floats before the parade in a couple of capacity’s, once as general population during the builds where you just walk through and another time when my wife’s work had a float, that deal was a private event that was catered and we met the rose court and princess.

All of my experiences with the rose parade have been really cool. I dunno if I’d feel the same way about it had I slept on a sidewalk over night and froze my ass off to see it as an adult, but maybe.

 

[ltbaney1]

ive worked the rose parade overnight detail and rose bowl game detail the past few years, this year we did not do the overnight detail, and i can tell you i did not miss it. nothing like seeing some little brat hurl a tortilla covered in whipped cream at you while mariachi music is playing.

 

[stephenkatsea]

Not the Rose Parade, but just an example of Kurt and his D’land group. They were more than your average band. Many here know, Kurt has been a long standing RDP inmate. Now retired and currently battling some hearing issues. Wishing him the very best in the New Year. IMO, a much better performance than Aloe Blacc and Kiesza who opened yesterday’s Rose Parade. Wondered how they were going to continue that along the parade route?

 

[Music to my Ears]

Kurt has been a long standing RDP inmate. Now retired and currently battling some hearing issues. Wishing him the very best in the New Year.

Thank you! I’m dealing with the hearing issues just fine now, which is a good thing. I’m conducting 3 concerts in the next few months along with about 50 clinics for Disney. It seems as though I’m getting busier in “retirement“ than when I was working full time!

 

[stephenkatsea]

Thank you! I’m dealing with the hearing issues just fine now, which is a good thing. I’m conducting 3 concerts in the next few months along with about 50 clinics for Disney. It seems as though I’m getting busier in “retirement“ than when I was working full time!

Outstanding !

 

[rightytighty]

My wife was a volunteer for T of R for 30 years, retired last year. I’ve been to the parade and game damn near every year in some capacity.
Great times. We got to do tons of amazing events and meet lots of great people over the years.

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My Aunt and Uncle lived in San Marino. My uncle was involved with the Rose Parade and Rosebowl somehow? He was one the guys in the white suits. Can't remember what is affiliation was? Not the chefs in your photos. Ha! Do you know? I can't remember if he rode around on honda 70's or maybe a weird little jeep type car ? It's all foggy at this point. Wish I could ask him, but he's long gone. He did have a bad ass slot machine and pool table upstairs. From out his window, I could see Merlin Olsen's back yard/house ( Go Rams!). Funny what you remember from your childhood.

I was just a kid in the late 70's sleeping on Colorado Blvd across the street from the Norton Simon museum at the bottom of the little hill where once a year, a float would lose it's brakes and nearly run over the marching band just ahead, lol!

But I remember my Uncle always had killer seats at the Rose Bowl. Twice I made the cut and got to watch!

 

[HgH Vltg]

Thank you! I’m dealing with the hearing issues just fine now, which is a good thing. I’m conducting 3 concerts in the next few months along with about 50 clinics for Disney. It seems as though I’m getting busier in “retirement“ than when I was working full time!

What a great random update. I lost track of your hearing thread. Amazing news!

 

[River Dirt 2]

Thank you! I’m dealing with the hearing issues just fine now, which is a good thing. I’m conducting 3 concerts in the next few months along with about 50 clinics for Disney. It seems as though I’m getting busier in “retirement“ than when I was working full time!

2014 Florida State and Oregon at Disneyland.