Parade showcases roses, creativity

PASADENA, Calif. - The Granddaddy of all parades blossomed with enthusiasm as Michigan fans gathered on the streets for the 109th annual pre-game event.

This year's theme, "Hav'n Fun," was taken to heart by crowds of Michigan fans screaming "Go Blue!" before and during the parade.

The parade, which consisted of 105 different entries, commanded the attention of fans as horses, floats and marching bands proceeded down the streets for more than two hours.

For some people, the event was overwhelming.

"I can't even remember the floats," said Engineering sophomore Bryan Metti. "There were a lot of them, so it's hard to remember any one of them."

MARGARET MYERS/Daily "In the Center Ring," the entry by Reser's Fine Foods, captured the Grand Marshal's trophy during the Tournament of Roses pre-game parade in Pasadena on Jan. 1.

"It got to be a little long at the end. It was a really good parade, though," said LSA sophomore Erin Baird.

Some students said they were surprised to see the streets lined with sleeping bags, tents and RVs more than 24 hours before the parade was set to begin.

"I had heard of people camping out, but I didn't realize so many people actually did it," said LSA sophomore Jessica Kelley.

Baird said she was amazed at the level of excitement that resounded through the city of Pasadena.

"Seeing the people camped out was crazy when we were eating lunch in Pasadena the day before," Baird said.

Baird traveled to Pasadena on the Official Student Tour organized through the Alumni Association, which included a grandstand bleacher seat for the parade. She was among the more than 1 million onlookers who stared with amazement at the colorful floats, which volunteers began decorating with intricate flowers and other organic materials on Christmas Day.

"I couldn't believe how intricate the floats were," Baird said. Volunteers continue to add flowers and details to the floats up until the last minutes before the parade began.

Some students were able to experience the intricacy of the floats from a closer vantage point after braving a long line. For the first time in history, the public could view six of the Rose Bowl floats on the eve of the parade while the judges made their considerations.

"It was about an hour and a half before we finally got up to the floats," said Engineering first-year student Dustin Williams. "It was cool because you got to see all the flowers close-up."

Among other restrictions, each of the floats must be covered in flower petals to be eligible for competition. Judges chose the best floats the day before the parade, presenting a total of 23 awards. Trophies weregiven in categories ranging from best presentation of color to best display of fantasy and imagination to most amusing.

A float named "Adventures in the Rain Forest" won the Sweepstakes Trophy for the most beautiful presentation. It displayed waterfalls and animals with cascades of exotic flowers.

"They're really detailed. You can tell they work on the floats a long time," Metti said.

Some floats incorporate music and animation. A float titled "Rock Concert" featured an enormous flower-covered Tyrannosaurus Rex playing the guitar and singing Queen's "We Will Rock You" and Elvis Presley's "Jailhouse Rock."

"There was a lot of variety in the parade," Metti said. "When they put some animation into it, that was the best part."

Students said seeing the parade live was far different than watching it on television.

"I never realized they went through a downtown area. Then we get down here, and there's buildings all over the place. It's more open on TV," Kelley said.

Others missed the early morning parade in favor of some sleep after ringing in the New Year.

"I missed the Rose Bowl parade, but that was OK because I never really watched it as a kid," said alumnus Steve Schwartz.

Comedienne Carol Burnett served as the Grand Marshal for the Tournament of Roses. She waved to crowds and flipped the opening coin at the game later that day.

Metti said having a Grand Marshal is unnecessary.

"They don't need a celebrity to come to the Rose Bowl," Metti said. "It's as big as it gets."

01-07-98