Pageantry, Protest and Perfect Pasadena Weather Dominate 2012 Rose Parade

By Terry Miller

-Photo by Terry Miller

Thousands of people braved the 70-80 degree winter heat of Pasadena to see the TOR Parade on Januray 2 – one of the warmest Parade Days in recent memory. Those who camped out all night were in for mild weather thoroughout the night with a very quick warm up about half an hour into the parade.
-Photo by Terry Miller

The weather added a sense of fun and festivity to flaots that particulary catered to water sports such as Natural Balance whose surfing bulldogs who seemed to have fun fun fun ’til their handler took their surfboad away.

-Photo by Terry Miller

The theme of the Parade this year was Just Imagine and the majority of the 44 floats in this year’s parade did the theme justice although one veteran parade-goer did point out that the theme did seem a little vague.

With that in mind, there seemed like there was less animation and special effects this year than in years past. However, the crowd of untold thousands who lined the streets seemed to enjoy every minute.
There was a heavy police presence, and in fact one float, US Bank, was escoreted by approximate 10 Pasadena Police officers as it made its way down Colorado. The extra security presumably was because of the Occupy movement.
However there no incidents during the parade but their were 10 pre-parade arrests according to the Pasadena Police Dept.
After the parade, Occupy the Rose Parade saw about 4,000 plus people march behind the end of the parade carrying a massive Constitution replica and countless signs voicing opinions about banks and mortgage holders.
The protestors also formed a giant Octopus and continued their protest to City Hall where a Rally was held.

-Photo by Terry Miller
The list of the winners follows:
Sweepstakes Trophy for most beautiful entry:
Dole, “Preserving Paradise”
Animation Trophy for best display of animation:
Farmers Insurance Group, “The Unimaginable”
Craftsman Trophy for outstanding showmanship and dramatic impact more than 55 feet in length:
Trader Joe’s, “Hot Lava”
Crown City Innovation Trophy for Best use of imagination and innovation to advance the art of float design:
City of Los Angeles, “Dinosaurs in L.A.’s Backyard”
Directors’ Trophy Honoring Jacob Maarse for outstanding artistic merit in design and floral presentation:
Bayer Advanced, “Garden of Imagination”
Extraordinaire Trophy for most spectacular entry including floats that cannot retract to 55 feet in length:
Natural Balance Pet Foods Inc., “Surf’s Up”
Fantasy Trophy for best display of fantasy and imagination:
City of South Pasadena, “When Life Gives You Lemons”
Founders’ Trophy for most beautiful entry built and decorated by volunteers from the sponsoring community or organization:
Downey Rose Float Association, “Enchanted Paradise”
Governor’s Trophy for Best depiction of life in California:
City of Torrance, “Looking Back, Moving Forward”
Grand Marshal’s Trophy for most creative concept and design:
Discover Card, “The Dream Believers”
Bob Hope Humor Trophy for most comical and amusing:
La Canada Flintridge Tournament of Roses Association, “If Pigs Could Fly”
International Trophy for most beautiful entry from outside the United States:
China Airlines, “Spirit of Prosperity and Harmony”
Isabella Coleman Trophy for best presentation of color and color harmony:
Odd Fellows & Rebekahs, “Shining Knights Still Exist”
Judges’ Special Trophy for outstanding showmanship and dramatic impact:
Donate Life, “…One More Day”
Lathrop K. Leishman Trophy for most beautiful entry from a non-commercial sponsor:
Kaiser Permanente, “Every Body Walk”

Mayor’s Trophy for Most outstanding city entry:
Burbank Tournament of Roses Association, “The Dream Machine”
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National Trophy for Best depiction of life in the United States:
Western Asset Management, “Imagine in America”
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Past Presidents’ Trophy for most innovative use of both floral and non floral materials:
Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles, “100 Years of Girls Scouts – What Will You Do Today”
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Princesses’ Trophy most beautiful entry under 35 feet in length:
Rotary International, “Inching Towards the End of Polio”
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Queen’s Trophy for best use of roses:
AIDS Healthcare Foundation, “Our Champion”
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Theme Trophy for best presentation of the Rose Parade theme:
US Bank, “Idea Factory”
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Tournament Special Trophy for exceptional merit in multiple classifications:
RFD-TV, “Happy Trails”
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Tournament Volunteers’ Trophy for best floral design of parade theme under 35 feet in length:
Shriners Hospitals for Children, “Soaring for Kids”

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