Vol. 52, No.52
Serving the San Gabriel Valley Since 1966
December 31, 2014
Special Section
Local Events
Entertainment
Sports
Chamber
Temple City, San Gabriel, & ROSEMEAD PAGE 7
page 2, 3 Visit Car Culture at http://www.midvalleynews.com/
page 11
pages 8,9
page 4-5
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The 126th Pasadena Rose Parade “ Inspiring Stories” by Jo Anne Disney Pasadena
The Rose Parade will be held on January 1, 2015 in Pasadena and is celebrating 126 amazing years. What do we know about the parade and where it is held? History tells us that the location of the Rose Parade was part of “Rancho el Rincon de San Pascual, the northeast corner of the fertile land once part and parcel of the San Gabriel Mission.” The weather was always sunny and seemed to be a great place to raise sheep and grow oranges. Then in the early 1870s, “a group of settlers renamed their village Pasadena, A Chippewa Indian name meaning ‘Crown of the Valley.’” Pasadena began booming in the 1880’s with the Santa Fe Railroad. Then around 1890, there was a “mid-winter festival” held by Valley Hunt Club
members that included horse-drawn carriages in hopes of promoting this city. They invited friends from other states to participate in the festival, which included “games such as chariot races, jousting foot races, polo and tug-of-war.” Since flowers were always in bloom, they began decorating the carriages. This festival grew into the Tournament of Roses Parade. It seems that the festival grew so large, that in “1895, the Tournament of Roses Association was formed to take charge of the festival.” How long does it take to decorate the floats for the parade? According to their website, “more than 80,000 hours of combined manpower is supplied by 935 volunteer members of the Tournament of Roses
Association. Each volunteer is assigned to one of 31 committees.” These volunteers have been nicknamed the “White Suiters” because of the white uniform each volunteer wears. The Rose Parade is truly a highlight for celebrating the New Year in style. It is televised on all the big networks and is commercial free on KTLA. Every year fans anxiously await the awesome floats and see who the winners will be. A very Happy New Year to all of our readers!
The Tournament of Roses today named Madison Elaine Triplett as the 97th Rose Queen in an official ceremony at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium Plaza. Presented by Citizens Business Bank, the announcement concludes a month-long process that began with more than 700 Pasadenaarea young women who participated in the Royal Court tryouts. The ceremony was emceed by KTLA Rose Parade® host and television personality, Stephanie Edwards. Rose Queen Madison and the Royal Court will make as many as 100 community and media appearances,
culminating with the 126th Rose Parade presented by Honda and the 101st Rose Bowl Game® serving as the first College Football Playoff Semifinal presented by Northwestern Mutual on New Year’s Day. “Leading up to America’s New Year Celebration®, Rose Queen Madison Elaine Triplett and the six Rose Princesses will serve as ambassadors for the Tournament of Roses and the City of Pasadena,” said Tournament of Roses President Rich Chinen, who presented the crown to the queen. “We are eager for Rose Queen Madison and each member of the Royal Court to share
2015 Rose Parade “Royal Court”
Past or Current Resident
by tournamentofroses.com Pasadena
Courtesy Photos
Photo above: City of Sierra Madre 2015 Rose Parade float entree. Courtesy photo from Sierra Madre Float Association. Photo to left: Temple City High School Marching Band, the pride of Temple City. Participating band in the 2015 Rose Parade Bands. Courtesy photo from sites.google.com/site/tchspotc
Courtesy photo
their inspiring stories with During the coronation others and for the court to ceremony, Chinen presented hear first-hand from the Rose Queen Madison with community about other a Mikimoto crown featurmeaningful stories.” ing more than 600 cultured The Rose Queen and pearls and six carats of diaRoyal Court were selected monds. Prior to the public based upon a combination event, all members of the of qualities, including public Royal Court received a pearl speaking ability, poise, necklace from Mikimoto. academic achievement and Royal Court continued on page 3 community involvement.
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