We went to Pasadena for New Year's and the Tournament of Roses Parade. All these years watching on TV; it just doesn't do justice to the size, detail and vivid colors of the floats. Incredible!!

Click on any small picture for a larger version.

A couple days before the parade, we attended BandFest where the bands did their halftime shows. There were bands from all over the country, even one from Japan. Brought back alot of memories for me of my marching band days!!

Herald Trumpets and the Rose Queen A Band Performs

The floats are prepared in tents all over Pasadena. As the judging hour approaches, the last rush begins to attach all the fresh flowers. There are rooms and rooms of flowers, and the whole tent smells wonderful. The detail was amazing -- an ARMY of volunteers working on each float.
Benita with Float Construction Flintstones The Flowers Wait Benita and the Wedding Float Close up of the Detail Bill and Float Construction Bill and Thai Airways Float Benita and some of the 14 Floats in this Tent Merlin Close Up Bill and Astronaut Magic Carpet Awaits its Passengers The Back of the Wedding Float Stained Glass on the Wedding Float Volunteers Create Hair from White Carnation Petals

Parade day was cold but no rain. These floats, some costing $300,000, are made entirely of natural products, including flowers, grains, bark, seeds, etc. They are self-propelled with a driver underneath. The driver has no peephole and gets radio directions from someone up top in order to negotiate the turns. Many have their own incredible sound systems so the appropriate 'theme music' accompanies the float.

IHOP Float - Super Animation Target Float with Pro Ice Skaters City of Torrance Float ARCO Float - Great Animation also Thai Airways - the Largest Float FTD Float - This Couple Won a Free Wedding and Ride Back of the FTD Wedding Float City of Glendale's Adorable Dog Float - Great Shading Kodak Float Subway Float Rain Bird Float - This One had Several Waterfalls City of West Covina - Great Music with This One Dr. Pepper's Virtual Reality Float 21st Century Insurance Float - The Dragon had Incredible Animation Sparkletts Water Float

Some views of my sister Sheilah's newly landscaped house.
Front of House - BEFORE Front of House with New Landscaping Front of House with New Landscaping Front of House with New Landscaping Back Yard Back Yard Entry Way

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