Over 700,000 parade goers attended the 124th Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, CA, with many ringing in the New Year braving frigid over-night temperatures along Colorado Blvd.
The 2013 Rose Parade was nationally broadcasted live and in 22 countries to millions of viewers around the world.
This year’s parade theme is, “Oh, the Places You’ll Go!” in honor of Dr. Seuss with primatologist Dr. Jane Goodall, DBE (Dame Commander of the British Empire) as Grand Marshall.
42 beautifully crafted floats decorated with freshly cut flowers and organic materials, along with 23 Marching Bands and 21 Equestrian Units made the five and half mile route to Sierra Madre Blvd as a quick fly-over by the B2-Stealth Bomber added awe and excitement for the crowd.
The Rose Parade also presented two special events; a wedding ceremony for one lucky couple and an emotional family reunion.
Nicole and Gerald Sapienza of Chesapeake, VA, tied the knot on top a Love Float by the Farmers Insurance Group.
The bride wore a lovely white gown and the groom wore a black tux — rings were exchanged, vows were said, then a ceremonial kiss before hundreds of pink balloons were released into the sky followed with loud cheers from the crowd.
It was an emotional reunion for Army Sargent Eric Pazz, who was deployed in Afghanistan — when he jumped off the “Canines for Courage” float by Natural Balance it was a tearful surprise for his wife, Miriam and sheer joy for his son, Eric Jr. as he ran into his father arms.
But it was not until the very end after the parade did one last float made its way down Colorado Blvd.
The Occupy LA Movement with its homemade float of recycled material made to look like the Monopoly character on the Hasbro board game made their march to the beat of a different drum. In protest against corporate greed while waving protest signs, the movement made their way east down a crowded Colorado Blvd.
Although Pasadena beefed up police presence during the entire parade event, only 22 minor arrests were made and none were reported during the Occupy LA Movement march.
Comments