By Terry Miller
The young women, and a few good men waited patiently for their turn to impress the judges with their poise and personality.
According to one spokesperson for the TOR, there actually was a ‘King’ selected in 1912. These young lads trying out were apparently not aware of that history and some said they just thought trying out for the court was a “great way to meet girls.”
The candidates, identified only by a number, were not allowed to give their last names to local media who attended the event Saturday morning.
The successful candidates will represent their communities, schools and the Tournament of Roses as ambassadors at various appearances leading up to the 128th Rose Parade.
Seven young women will be named to the 2017 Royal Court on October 4, 2016 and one will be crowned the 99th Rose Queen® on October 20, 2016.
The 2017 Rose Queen and Royal Court will reign over the 128th Rose Parade and attend the 103rd Rose Bowl Game® presented by Northwestern Mutual on January 2, 2017. America’s New Year Celebration® will be seen by millions of people around the world.
The Rose Parade will start at 8:00am PST. On January 2, 2017, the world focuses its attention on Pasadena, California, USA, home of the Rose Parade and Rose Bowl Game. It’s a celebration more than a century old – a festival of flowers, music and sports unequaled anywhere else in the world. It’s America’s New Year Celebration, a greeting to the world on the first day of the year, and a salute to the community spirit and love of pageantry that have thrived in Pasadena for more than 100 years.
An event as large as the Tournament of Roses requires about 80,000 hours of combined manpower each year. That manpower is supplied by 935 members of the non-profit Tournament of Roses Association, a volunteer organization dedicated to presenting an internationally-recognized New Year’s celebration. Each volunteer is assigned to one of 31 committees, with responsibilities ranging from selecting parade participants to directing visitors on New Year’s Day, to hosting the press headquarters for media coverage of the Rose Bowl Game, to giving presentations about the Tournament to community groups.
Nicknamed “White Suiters” because of the distinctive white uniform every volunteer wears, these enthusiastic men and women give up their evenings, weekends and holidays to ensure the success of the parade and game. A small full-time staff provides support and continuity to the volunteer organization.
