Monday, December 31, 2012

Tournament of Roses Parade and Football Game

Well, my Christmas surprise worked great! No one had any idea we were coming to the Rose Bowl Parade and football game until they were presented their rose ( had large name tags made that invited them to attend the 2013 Parade and football game in Pasadena) attached to the roses! And, so here we are in sunny (but not warm) Pasadena having an awesome time.

Yesterday was an early reveille with breakfast at 5:30 am! Then we were off to an amazing day of viewing! First stop was to see the Tournament of Roses antique parade cars which will be carrying officials. By the way, this years parade theme is: "Oh The Places You'll Go" from the Dr. Seuss book! What a perfect motto for our family!!! We are having such fun going places -- and the things we've seen-- and the friends we've made!!!

We were lucky enough to go behind the scenes of two different float builders. Let me tell you, you have a whole different view and appreciation of the parade after doing this viewing!! It just isn't like seeing it on tv. There are thousands of volunteers who work around the clock in very cold conditions to get their floats ready for judging. There're giant meat grinders used to grind different colored seeds and spices to achieve just the right colors. The only rule is that all material that goes on the float must have been living at some point.

I purchased several water vials and wrote friends names on them. They will hold a rose on the Cal Poly float --Tuxedo Air. It's theme is from the movie Madagascar -- teaching penguins to fly! It's a cute float!! Look for it. It is toward the end of the parade. It will be after The City of Hope float- the Journey to Cure. For those of you who know folks in South Dakota, the Sioux Falls Lincoln Patriot marching band will be right after the City of Los Angeles float. ( we have friends whose daughter is marching in that band!)

We also viewed the Fiesta float maker area. They are making several floats. It's an amazing production! We even met the "hero" dog who will be on a float dedicated to military service dogs. .This dog went on 200 missions in Afghanistan and never lost a soldier. Then he lost his front leg to an Explosive device and so has been retired. He's a beautiful dog.

After all that, we were off to Band Fest! It was a sample of 6 bands that will be in the parade. We were lucky enough to even see our friends from South Dakota since their daughters band was performing at our session. One of the bands had 400 students and did an amazing job. They were from Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. They had to raise over $400,000 to attend. The last band to perform was the Marine Corp Band! Well, what can I say except that they were spectacular! Not a dry eye in the house!!

After our KickOff luncheon with the football teams, I think we're going to the movies-- Parental Guidance. We have to be at breakfast at 5:00am tomorrow so no late night watching the New Years Clock. More information and photos later!! Off to football lunch!! Happy New Year everyone!



































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