今年是新年玫瑰花車遊行的125 週年，演出規模將會更加盛大和隆重。官方預計超過七十萬觀眾將沿途夾道觀看，而因為有許多來自不同國家的演出隊伍，全球電視觀眾將超過七千萬人！這個年度全球盛事，你有怎能置身事外？其實，除了當天凌晨出發佔位子，或者安坐家中看電視直播 (中文獨家直播有天下衛視提供)，還有好多好多有趣的周邊活動正在熱烈進行中～～做裝飾花瓣義工、看馬術預演、軍樂團預演、參觀花車展覽等. . . 就讓丫丫園地的導覽手冊帶你立即進入Rose Parade 的花花世界吧！

This year marks the 125^th occurrence of the Rose Parade.  The theme is "Dreams Come True," and the Grand Marshal of the Tournament of Roses festivities is famous Dodgers sportscaster Vin Scully.

Date: January 1, 2014 at 8 a.m. rain or shine

Some History about The Rose Parade

In 1890, the members of the Valley Hunt Club voted to hold a parade. They would decorate their horses and buggies with flowers. The parade would be followed with a variety of games - tug of war, jousts, and foot races. 

2,000 people came out to enjoy the New Year's activities. Blooming flowers and being able to hold outdoor games on January 1st - in the middle of winter - was a great reason for the Indiana Colony settlers to celebrate.

The following year music was added to the parade when the Monrovia Town Band performed for the crowd. Then came viewing stands and the crowds grew. 

In 1895, the Valley Hunt Club decided the parade had become too big for them to handle and the Tournament of Roses Association was formed to manage the festivities.

In 125 years, it has only rained on the parade 10 times. Some credit divine intervention because of an 1893 decision to never hold the paradeon Sunday. Sunday parades would interfere with folks going to church. So, when New Year's Day fell on a Sunday, the parade would be heldon Monday. The "never on Sunday" tradition continues today.

In 1900, the parade was captured on film for the first time. In the following months, audiences across the United States had front row seats for the New Year's Parade and viewers began to promise themselves to "someday" see it live. Today the Rose Parade is viewed by 84 million people in 220 territories and countries. An estimated 700,000 people line the parade route each year.

We can't imagine New Year's Day without football. It all began with a game on January 1, 1902. 8,500 people showed up for the 1,000 available seats in the "town lot" - known today as Tournament Park on the Caltech campus. The University of Michigan beat Stanford University 49 - 0. 

Maybe it was the overwhelming large crowd or maybe it was the lopsided score but football was dropped in favor of other sports. A chariot race in 1904. It was exciting but dangerous. An elephant-camel race in 1913. The elephant won.

In 1916, football returned and in 1922 the game was moved to the newly constructed "horse-shoe shaped" stadium in the Arroyo Seco with seating for 57,000 - the Rose Bowl. Today we still celebrate the Grand Daddy of them all in the Rose Bowl on New Years day.

The direct economic impact of the Tournament's New Year's events is almost $100 million. Hotels, restaurants, and stores are filled to capacity as visitors and fans stream into Pasadena and the region beyond. It is an exciting time for everyone.

Don't forget to watch out for Singpoli Group's Tian Ma float - - it is an elegant combination of the Western pegasus with the auspicious heavenly horse in the Asian culture (view the process of building this beautiful float from scratch to completion)

You can also watch it comfortably on TV: English: KTLAchannel 5

安坐家中看電視直播 (中文獨家直播有天下衛視提供)

Pre -Parade Activities

There are multiple fun events leading up to, and after the Rose Parade, which kids will thoroughly enjoy.

Behind the Scenes of Rose Parade 新年玫瑰花車飾花及預覽

Take tots to get an up close and personal look at the floats which will be featured in the Rose Parade, as they get their finishing touches and decorations in their final stages of preparation. Watch in wonder and awe as flowers, fruit, seeds, bark and grasses are expertly applied to the floats.  Experience the magic of the floats before they make their debut in the 2014 Rose Parade presented by Honda. During the final stages of preparation a variety of seeds, bark, fruits and vegetables, grasses and of course, flowers are being applied to the floats by experienced professionals as well as hard working volunteers. 

Tickets: Adults $10 (children 5 and under are free).

Rosemont Pavilion, 700 Seco Street, Pasadena

• December 27, 12 – 5 p.m.
• December 28, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
• December 29, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
• December 30, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Brookside Pavilion (accessible to disabled visitors) Lot I, south side of Rose Bowl Stadium

• December 27, 12 – 5 p.m.
• December 28, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
• December 29, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
• December 30, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Rose Palace, 835 S. Raymond Avenue, Pasadena

• December 27, 12 – 5 p.m.
• December 28, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
• December 29, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
• December 30, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
• December 31, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Decorate Floats

Community members and visitors are needed each year to decorate floats for the Rose Parade. Whether looking to participate as an organized group or individual, float builders are happy to have the help.  All volunteer decorating opportunities are organized directly by the float builders. Please contact the float builders listed below for volunteer information:

Commercial float builders:

• Artistic Entertainment Services - Located in Azusa
• Fiesta Parade Floats - Located in Irwindale
• Phoenix Decorating Co. - Two locations in Pasadena
• Paradiso Parade Floats - Located in Pasadena (click to register and become a float decorating volunteer)

Self-built float organizations:

• Burbank Tournament of Roses Association
• Cal Poly Universities (Pomona & San Luis Obispo)
• Downey Rose Float Association
• La Canada Flintridge Tournament of Roses Association
• Sierra Madre Rose Float Association
• South Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association

Most float builders have minimum age requirements. All volunteer decorators will be required to sign a waiver. Dress appropriately – float decorating can be messy and you may get glue, paint and/or dirt on your shoes and clothing. Wear old clothes and comfortable close-toed shoes, and bring a jacket as it can get cool in the evenings

Bandfest 新年玫瑰大遊行軍樂隊預演

Music lovers will delight in Bandfest, which is free for children 5 and under, and features the prizewinning bands of the 2014 Rose Parade as they perform their famous field shows. They will perform three shows over two days, giving fans plenty of opportunity to enjoy their talents.  Bandfest features the prizewinning bands of the 2014 Rose Parade as they perform their famous field shows. They will perform three shows over two days to give everyone a chance to see these talented musicians, dancers and auxiliary performers in action.  Tickets: $15, kids under 5 free.