Pasadena’s New Year’s Rose Bowl Parade traditionally avoids falling on a Sunday — until this year.
The “Never On a Sunday” tradition, which started in 1893, continues with the 123rd Rose Parade now to take place on Monday, Jan. 2 in the heart of Pasadena.
For over 100 years, crowds of people have lined the streets to glimpse the vivid and vast display of flower-covered floats as they roll through the streets. Many Southern Californians look forward to the fantasy of the Rose Parade each year.
“For me the date change wouldn’t hold any significance … because at least it’s still happening,” long-time Rose Parade attendee and junior global studies major Briana Tumangkeng said. “I think it’s interesting though, and very considerate.”
The most recent day change was in 2006. The “Never on a Sunday” tradition started in 1893. Parade officials thought it was best to avoid dealing with church services and activities that might conflict with the Parade’s usual schedule.
The parade’s titled theme, “Just Imagine,” will not be held on the traditional first-of-the-year date due to Jan. 1 falling on a Sunday. Each float takes creativity and skill. Many floats can take up to several weeks of preparation with the help of dedicated volunteers.
The Rose Parade, which rings in the New Year for many, has been viewed by millions of people on television, but the experience is quite different when witnessed live, according to junior graphic design major Chelsea Shea. Shea is one of many Rose Parade fans who has helped create one of the legendary flower-infested floats in years past.
“It’s really neat seeing everything up close … you get a feel of how big everything is,” Shea said. “Everything is so much bigger and more beautiful in person.”
The floats for the 2012 Rose Parade have yet to be announced. Past parades have included over 45 participants, including Donate Life, City Of Los Angeles and Trader Joes.
The Rose Parade is famous not only for their flowery floats, but also the warm memories by those who have witnessed the historic Rose Parade. For first-generation American, Tumangkeng’s first experience was like no other.
“I remember my family and I waking up at the crack of dawn and driving over with our hot chocolate. We went when I was in second and third grade, and I remember these big floats that had been covered by flowers and had a song by Lenny Kravitz playing,” Tumangkeng said. “It was unforgettable.”
For Shea, moments of appreciation have been when she acknowledges the authenticity of each handcrafted Rose Parade float.
“Each float shows the care that goes into them…it’s not an easy thing to do,” Shea said.
Since the Rose Parade only happens once a year to celebrate a new year, volunteering to help create a float is a rare occasion. This year the Natural History Museum will have its very first float ever in Rose Parade history.
To be part of the float-making process the Natural History Museum is taking volunteer from ages 13 and on to take part. Each volunteer will receive an official NHM decorator T-shirt upon volunteering.
Volunteers must be able to work a full volunteer shift. Shifts will be scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis. The shifts began on Dec. 3 and will continue until Jan. 1 of next year.
The Natural History Museum will even provide box meals and snacks for the volunteer during shifting hours. Lunch breaks during shifts will be scheduled from noon to 12:30 p.m.
“Until you see it up close you don’t realize the beauty of it, and realize how many people it must have taken to built that, and see it as a true piece of art,” Shea said.
Any additional information about the Rose Parade can be found on the Parade’s website: www.tournamentofroses.com.
For more information on volunteering for the Natural History Museum float creation visit: www.nhm.org.
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