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Kick off the new year with a floral fiesta at the Tournament of Roses Parade on January 1! This picturesque parade has been a New Year's Day tradition since 1890, making it one of the oldest and most beloved events in United States history. It all began as a promotional effort by Pasadena's distinguished Valley Hunt Club to showcase the charming SoCal climate that allows flowers to bloom in the middle of winter. Today, the Tournament of Roses Parade blooms larger than life, bursting with flower-covered floats, equestrian units, and marching bands from around the globe, transforming Pasadena into a vibrant canvas of color and community. Experience the magic and majesty, as flowers come to life and dance down the streets!
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1890</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Inception of Tournament of Roses</div><div class='timeline-text'>The Valley Hunt Club organized the first Tournament of Roses Parade to promote Pasadena's warm winter weather.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1902</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>First Rose Bowl Game</div><div class='timeline-text'>The first Rose Bowl Game, dubbed the "Grand Daddy of Them All," was held in conjunction with the parade, turning it into a larger event.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1947</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>First Televised Parade</div><div class='timeline-text'>The Tournament of Roses Parade was televised for the first time, expanding its reach to viewers across America.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1954</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Introduction of the Grand Marshal Tradition</div><div class='timeline-text'>The Grand Marshal tradition started, each year a celebrity is selected to guide the parade and toss the coin at the Rose Bowl game.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1980</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>First Female Tournament President</div><div class='timeline-text'>Margaret Huntley Main became the first female president of the Tournament of Roses Association, setting a precedent for female leadership in the event.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2009</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>100th Rose Bowl Game</div><div class='timeline-text'>The Rose Bowl Game celebrated its 100th anniversary, reinforcing the rich tradition and history of the event.</div></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Host a Viewing Party</h3><p class='facts-text'>Invite friends and family over for a viewing party. Decorate your living room with flower arrangements inspired by the parade floats, serve themed snacks, and enjoy the parade from the comforts of your home.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Participate in a Float Decorating Volunteer Activity</h3><p class='facts-text'>Many organizations need volunteers to help construct and decorate their floral masterpieces. This creative hands-on participation enhances the excitement of parade day as you can have a personal stake in seeing "your" float move down Colorado Boulevard.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Visit a Rose Plantation</h3><p class='facts-text'>In keeping with the theme of roses, find a local or regional rose plantation or nursery, and take a tour to learn more about the cultivation and care of this integral Tournament of Roses flower. Some gardens may also offer flower arrangement classes.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Start a Rose Garden</h3><p class='facts-text'>In honor of the Rose Parade, use this as inspiration to start your own rose garden. Research the best type of roses for your climate and plot out where they will grow best in your yard. This can be a long-lasting way to celebrate the parade annually as your roses bloom each year reminding you of the parade.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Create a Floral Art Competition</h3><p class='facts-text'>Host a floral art competition within your community or among your friends. Challenge participants to create their own miniature float or a piece of floral artwork. Could be 2D or 3D and it's more about participation than perfection so encourage everyone to join in.</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It's a Grand Floral Fiesta</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>The Tournament of Roses Parade is renowned for its magnificent floral floats. Each float is elaborately decorated with thousands of flowers, often featuring ingenious designs and vibrant colors. The sight of these blossoming masterpieces marching down the streets is a delightful spectacle!</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Experience Community Spirit and International Fellowship</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>The parade brings together people from all walks of life, both participants and spectators. It not only unites locals of Pasadena but also pilgrims from around the globe. School bands, equestrian units, and flower-decorating volunteers all contribute to making this event a truly international celebration.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It Celebrates the New Year in a Unique Way</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>While most New Year's Day celebrations involve fireworks and parties, the Tournament of Roses Parade provides a unique and refreshing way to welcome the new year. By celebrating with flowers, the parade invokes a sense of peace, bringing a gentle beginning to the new year.</p></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>1</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Parade Floats Use More Than Flowers to Create Their Art</h3><p class='facts-content'>Every float in the Tournament of Roses Parade gets its vibrant colors from not just flowers, but all sorts of organic materials - seeds, bark, fruits, vegetables, and grasses are used in addition to petals to fully realize their designs.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>2</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>The “Never on Sunday” Tradition Ensures the Parade Doesn't Disturb Church Services</h3><p class='facts-content'>Since 1893, the Tournament of Roses Parade has had a “Never on Sunday” rule to avoid odd years when January 1 falls on Sunday. The tradition started to prevent the parade's horses from disturbing Sunday church services.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>3</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Floats Must Follow Strict Builders' Guidelines</h3><p class='facts-content'>Creating a float is not just about artistic talent - strict rules mandate that every inch of each float has to be covered in organic material, and no artificial flowers are allowed. This showcases creativity in using different textured and colored flora.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>4</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Thousands of Volunteers Assist in the Parade Production</h3><p class='facts-content'>Community involvement is paramount to the success of the Tournament of Roses Parade, with thousands of volunteers participating in the preparation process each year - some dedicating over 60 hours towards the event.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>5</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>The Floats are Judged in 24 Different Categories</h3><p class='facts-content'>In the post-parade float judging event, floats can win awards across 24 distinct categories, including most comical and humorous, exceptional artistic design, best animation, most spectacular in showmanship and dramatic impact, to name a few.</p></div></div>
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