The tournament of the roses began in 1890, when the Valley Hunt Club in Pasadena, California, wanted to celebrate the blooming roses in January. This celebration became a tradition ever since. The Rose Parade is shown on TV on New Year's Day all over the world. Does this Spark an idea?
Floats
What started as a small procession of flower-covered carriages has grown to include elaborate, high-tech animated floats. The rules state that the floats must have every inch covered with flowers or some other natural substance, such as leaves or bark.
Grand Marshal
A Grand Marshal traditionally leads the Tournament of Roses. In the past, local heroes held this role but more recently includes astronauts, actors or athletes. The only years the parade didn't have a Grand Marshal were 1891 and 1893.
Rose Bowl Football
The Rose Bowl football games started in 1902. The first game was unsuccessful but the Tournament of Roses has included a football game each year since 1916. Tickets to the game have sold out each year since 1947, filling the 93,000 seat Rose Bowl Stadium.
