Past Parade Themes & Summaries

Each year, the new President of the Tournament of Roses has the privilege of selecting a theme for the upcoming festivities. The theme is used to inspire the ideas for the magnificent floral floats that will appear in the Rose Parade.

The theme for the 2012 Rose Parade is Just Imagine.

Below is a gallery of themes from throughout Tournament of Roses history:


1900 Rose Parade

No Theme

The first motion picture of the Rose Parade is produced by Vitascope Company. Even though it was screened days, weeks and even months later, this was the first time that the Rose Parade was seen “live” by audiences throughout the United States.

1901 Rose Parade

No Theme

First year that motorized vehicles are allowed as float entries. At this time, there was little enthusiasm for the autos, which were forced to appear at the rear of the Parade so as not to scare the horses.

1902 Rose Parade

No Theme

First Rose Bowl Game played at Tournament Park (Caltech's current athletic field). University of Michigan routs Stanford University, 49-0. As the crowd of spectators arrived for the game, it soon became apparent that the 1,000 seats would not be enough.

1904 Rose Parade

No Theme

First chariot races staged, inspired in part by the best-selling book Ben Hur. The chariot races, held at Tournament Park, continued until 1915 when it was decided that while the event was indeed popular, it was far too dangerous and expensive.

1905 Rose Parade

No Theme

First Rose Queen, Hallie Woods, reigns over New Year's Day festivities. Miss Woods, chosen by her classmates at Pasadena High School, made her own gown and helped decorate the float upon which she rode. Parade held on Jan. 2.

1906 Rose Parade

No Theme

Queen Elsie Armitage enjoys the largest Royal Court in Tournament of Roses history with 24 princesses.

1908 Rose Parade

No Theme

The era of spectacular floats was introduced when wires above the Parade route had to be elevated to allow large floats to pass, such as a 41-foot whale that spouted carnation-scented perfume 25 feet in the air; an 86-foot orange; and a 35-foot airship.

1909 Rose Parade
Innovative float builder Isabella Coleman decorates her first float. Coleman went on to pioneer many