Happy New Year from Pasadena! Bob and I along with our daughter Megan Franklin, a Rotarian in Des Moines, arrived on December 30 in preparation for the Rose Parade.
We were excited to drive down Colorado Boulevard and see all of the grandstands and media booths being put in place. It is a massive project. Fencing is placed in front of store fronts for miles. The Rotarians have wonderful seats that match the 2023 parade theme, Turning the Corner. Their grandstand is right at the intersection where the floats will turn the corner onto Colorado. I think the ABC booth is at the top of their seating. They need to be in place by 6:30 a.m. for the 8 a.m. parade start.
The 2023 Rotary Rose Parade Float Committee are outstanding hosts. We opened with a Holiday Party including special guests RIP Jennifer and Nick Jones and the first woman in Rotary, Sylvia Whitlock.
December 31st included lunch with Jennifer for the float walkers and riders. Nick hosted the spouses simultaneously, and afterward we visited the warehouse and float decorating.
There will be 80 entries in the parade and Rotary will be 69th. It was amazing to see all of the preparation of the floats. Over 160,000 flowers were placed on the floats we saw. The roses are first cut and placed in vials and other flowers are attached to picks. The floats are first painted and the the matching color of flower placed on the float the last few days. So much of the design is created with seeds. The floats started being decorated in mid December with the seeds placed first.
A New Year’s Eve gathering was hosted at a local restaurant in Pasadena. Last minute directions were provided for the riders and walkers and parade logistics for the spouses in the grandstand.
Sunday morning is the official judging. We will be on the floats at 9 a.m. and will learn our positions then. You can see my costume in the photo array. We will be ready to impress the judges with our enthusiasm for Rotary! I know we have a winner no matter the outcome of the judging. Our float is just beautiful. I am excited for you to see it.
Monday is PARADE DAY! Weather reports are for a dry morning. We have a pickup at 4:15 a.m. There is so much planning and work for this very special day. I have watched the parade every year, but to be here and to see and feel the tradition and pride is truly an amazing experience.
Over 45 million viewers watch the parade. It is such an honor to represent you and our District 5650. I’ll be waving and cheering for Rotary!
Serving with Imagination and Hope in 2023,
Barbara
Your District Governor 5650
The 2023 Rotary Rose Parade Float Committee are outstanding hosts. We opened with a Holiday Party including special guests RIP Jennifer and Nick Jones and the first woman in Rotary, Sylvia Whitlock.
December 31st included lunch with Jennifer for the float walkers and riders. Nick hosted the spouses simultaneously, and afterward we visited the warehouse and float decorating.
There will be 80 entries in the parade and Rotary will be 69th. It was amazing to see all of the preparation of the floats. Over 160,000 flowers were placed on the floats we saw. The roses are first cut and placed in vials and other flowers are attached to picks. The floats are first painted and the the matching color of flower placed on the float the last few days. So much of the design is created with seeds. The floats started being decorated in mid December with the seeds placed first.
A New Year’s Eve gathering was hosted at a local restaurant in Pasadena. Last minute directions were provided for the riders and walkers and parade logistics for the spouses in the grandstand.
Sunday morning is the official judging. We will be on the floats at 9 a.m. and will learn our positions then. You can see my costume in the photo array. We will be ready to impress the judges with our enthusiasm for Rotary! I know we have a winner no matter the outcome of the judging. Our float is just beautiful. I am excited for you to see it.
Monday is PARADE DAY! Weather reports are for a dry morning. We have a pickup at 4:15 a.m. There is so much planning and work for this very special day. I have watched the parade every year, but to be here and to see and feel the tradition and pride is truly an amazing experience.
Over 45 million viewers watch the parade. It is such an honor to represent you and our District 5650. I’ll be waving and cheering for Rotary!
Serving with Imagination and Hope in 2023,
Barbara
Your District Governor 5650
Click here for photo album.