We enjoy watching the Tournament of Roses Parade every year — sometimes with a mimosa in hand and a roaring fire in the fireplace, and other years, getting out of bed barely in time for the Parade’s start at 8 a.m.
The Parade has a special meaning because I was born in Pasadena (at the Huntington Memorial Hospital on 3/15/59), the city where it is held. I grew up in neighboring San Marino until I was a “tween.” Shannon also grew up in the L.A. area, so the Parade has longtime memories for both of us.
Members of Pasadena’s Valley Hunt Club first staged the Rose Parade in 1890. Since then, it has been held in Pasadena every New Year’s Day, except when January 1 falls on a Sunday. (In that case, it is held on the subsequent Monday, January 2).
Our family has enjoyed going to the Rose Parade a few times over the years, even though it involves getting up before the crack of dawn, in winter, to find a parking spot and find a decent spot for viewing. In some instances, we caved and sprung for seats in the grandstands, complete with paid parking. It was a more “civil” experience.
A favorite childhood memory was seeing the community volunteers helping to build the floats before the parade, in nondescript buildings scattered throughout the city, as well as viewing them in the Tournament of Roses park after the parade. Pasadena also is home to Cal Tech, which is within walking distance of the parade route and is a longtime parade supporter.
When we moved to Nevada City over a decade ago, it was like coming full circle. We soon learned that Todd Johnson, whose family owns Foothill Flowers in Grass Valley, regularly traveled to Pasadena to work on the floats. We are regulars at Foothill Flowers and love Todd and his family. (Foothill Flowers reminds us of our favorite florist in Pasadena, Jacob Maarse).
This year, Todd worked on two floats, according to his Facebook page The “Dig Alert” and AIDS Foundation “Hope for the Homeless” parade floats (see below).
Jeff Pelline's Sierra Foothills Report 
“Hope for the Homeless” by AIDS Healthcare Foundation (Fiesta) won the Isabella Coleman Award for most outstanding presentation of color and color harmony through floral design. All the winners are here: https://www.pasadenastarnews.com/2020/01/01/the-awards-are-in-here-are-the-judges-best-floats-at-the-2020-rose-parade/