FAQs

How long does the parade last?

• 2 hours from any given point.

What time does the parade start?

• 8:00 a.m.

Where does the parade start?

• Green Street & Orange Grove. It then continues North on Orange Grove then East on Colorado Blvd. to Sierra Madre Blvd., then north on Sierra Madre Blvd. to Paloma Street - a total of 5 1/2 miles. See map

How soon can I arrive?

• Curbside camping on the parade route is allowed beginning at noon the day before the parade.

What are the rules and regulations along the Parade route?

• Following are some of the rules all spectators should know:
  • Grandstand ticket holders will not be allowed to bring backpacks, coolers or large bags.
  • There is a curfew law for those under 18 in effect from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. There must be a parent of guardian present.
  • No public, curbside parade viewing on Orange Grove Blvd. from Del Rosa to Colorado Blvd. and on Colorado from Orange Grove to Terrace. Grandstand ticket holders only.
  • Overnight camping is permitted only on the night before the parade. Do not arrive before noon the day before the parade.
  • All persons and property such as blankets, chairs, etc., must remain on the curb until 11 p.m. on the night before the parade. At that time spectators may move out to the blue honor line.
  • Small, professionally manufactured barbeques elevated at least one foot off the ground are allowed on the parade route.
  • Do not bring tents, sofas, ladders, scaffolding and boxes of any type.
  • Unoccupied chairs are not allowed.
  • Bonfires are strictly prohibited.
  • No items may be sold along the parade route without a permit.
  • No public areas (sidewalks, curbs, gutters, streets) may be cordoned or roped off.
  • Throwing any item onto the parade route is prohibited.
  • Vehicles obstructing emergency lanes will be towed.
  • Walking in the street is not permitted.
• Prohibited items along the Rose Parade route include:weapons, sticks, poles, glass bottles and any items which may cause injury or interfere with the parade or spectators' enjoyment of the parade. 

What exactly is the Tournament of Roses Association?

• The Tournament of Roses Association was started in 1890 by the Valley Hunt Club and became a separate organization just five years later.
• It is now a public, non-profit, volunteer-driven corporation headquartered at the former Wrigley Mansion in Pasadena.
• A small full-time staff works with the volunteer members year-round to bring the Parade and Game to a worldwide audience.
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Why was the Rose Parade started?

• To celebrate California's mild winter climate, the Tournament's founders and Valley Hunt Club members, Dr. Francis Rowland and Prof. Charles Holder, created a floral festival in 1890 patterned after the "Battle of the Flowers" in Nice, France.
• It was initially a modest procession of flower-covered carriages with afternoon "games" including foot races, tug-of-war contests and sack races.

Who owns the Tournament House and the Wrigley Gardens?

• The house and grounds, totaling 4 1/2 acres, were presented to the city of Pasadena by family heirs of Chicago chewing gum magnate, William Wrigley Jr.
• The gift was formally received by the city in 1959 with the understanding that it would be the permanent headquarters of the Tournament of Roses.
• The entire 4 1/2-acre facility is maintained by the Tournament of Roses Association.
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What is the Tournament's relationship with the city of Pasadena and the local community?

• The Tournament of Roses is independent of the city of Pasadena, but could not accomplish these events without a strong working relationship with the city.
• Each year, the Tournament of Roses directly pays the city of Pasadena almost $1.2 million to cover the cost of services provided to support the events.
• In addition, the city earns additional revenue from other fees and taxes, enabling the community to support this tremendous undertaking without diverting resources from other needed programs.
• The hours of live worldwide television coverage from Pasadena each year is a priceless public relations benefit for the area.
• Each year the Tournament of Roses Foundation gives $100,000 to community programs throughout the Pasadena area - totaling more than $2 million since its inception in 1983.

What is the Tournament of Roses Foundation?

• In 1983, the Association created the Tournament of Roses Foundation, a non-profit corporation, to receive contributions from members, friends, supporters and the general public.
• The Foundation makes annual grants to non-profit organizations in Pasadena area communities by funding sports and recreation, visual and performing arts, and volunteer motivation and leadership development projects and programs. These broad categories allow the Foundation to contribute to the civic, cultural and educational advancement of Pasadena area communities.
• To date, the Tournament of Roses Foundation has granted more than 2 million dollars for diverse projects and programs to more than 130 organizations.
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Who is the Tournament of Roses audience?

• Approximately 39 million Americans watched the 2012 Rose Parade on TV, as well as millions of international viewers in 220 territories around the world. The combined HH ratings for the live broadcasts of the 2012 Rose Parade was 11.7 or approximately 13.4 million households.
• It is estimated that more than 700,000 individuals are present along the parade route on January 1 for the festivities.
• The 2012 Rose Bowl Game received a rating of 10.2 or 11.7 million households.
• The Rose Bowl Game is a contractual sellout. In 2012, attendance was 91,245.
• Approximately 60,000 visitors attended the Post Parade Float viewing area where the floats were on display for 1 ½ days following the 2012 Rose Parade.

How can I watch the festivities?

• You do not need tickets to the Rose Parade unless you are looking for a grandstand seat. The official seating company, Sharp Seating, can be contacted at (626) 795-4171.
• In addition, the Rose Parade is broadcast live by eight networks: ABC, NBC, Hallmark Movie Channel, HGTV, RFD-TV, Tribune, Univision, and Sky Link TV.

What are the criteria for building a float?

• Each float must conform to certain regulations in the areas of height, width, length and thematic design and the entire surface must be covered using a variety of flowers, seeds, bark, leaves and other natural materials.
• Most floats are controlled with the aid of internal, computer-driven hydraulics and are entered in the parade on behalf of a corporation, city, or organization.

Why are the Tournament celebrations sometimes held on January 2?

• The Tournament of Roses is a tradition full of traditions, one of which is our "Never on Sunday" policy. In 1893, officials decided to move the parade to Monday, January 2 to avoid frightening horses tethered outside local churches and thus interfering with worship services. As a result of this reverent gesture, speculation abounds as to the rare instances of rainfall on New Year's Day (only ten times in Rose Parade history), prompting some to ask the Tournament about its special pact with a "friend upstairs." Also as a result of this tradition, other collegiate bowl organizations have instituted similar procedures.

Who are the people in the white suits and what do they do?

• The life blood of the Tournament is its 935 active volunteer members - the "white-suiters."
• These volunteers are assigned to one of 35 committees and collectively spend more than 80,000 hours planning and executing every facet of the Tournament of Roses.
• Members are men and women of all ethnic backgrounds from all walks of life who live or work in a fifteen-mile radius of Pasadena's city hall and who are willing to devote the necessary time and energy.
• Responsibilities range from selecting the Parade's participants and directing visitors on New Year's morning to serving hamburgers to band members at the Parade's end or giving presentations about the Tournament to community groups.
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How does one become a white-suiter?

• Membership is open to any community-minded individual who lives or works within a 15-mile radius of Pasadena. Members must be at least 24 years old and be willing to attend committee meetings and devote a minimum of 30 volunteer service hours, though most members far exceed that requirement.

What is the Tournament of Roses economic Impact?

• In 2008, The USC Marshall School of Business conducted an economic impact study of Tournament of Roses events. The study concluded that $181 million in direct spending produced at total economic impact of $178 million for the Tournament of Roses events.

Who can be a member of the Royal Court and how are they chosen?

• The Rose Queen® and Rose Princesses have presided over the annual celebration each year since 1930. During their reign, they will make numerous social and media appearances - serving as goodwill ambassadors for the Tournament of Roses Association. Each September, hundreds of local young women between the ages of 17 and 21 participate in the month-long selection process to become a member of the Royal Court. Participants are evaluated on a number of qualities including poise, academic achievement, public speaking ability and community involvement.
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How is the Grand Marshal chosen and who are some of the past honorees?

• The annual naming of the Grand Marshal is a traditional duty of the president of the Pasadena Tournament of Roses. The Rose Parade has had some of the world's most distinguished individuals serving as Grand Marshal. Past honorees have been actors, astronauts, writers, artists, athletes and political figures. Mary Pickford, Dwight Eisenhower, Bob Hope, Kate Smith, Walt Disney, Shirley Temple Black, Bob Newhart, Angela Lansbury, Tom Brokaw and Bill Cosby are just a few of the famous personalities who have held the venerable position.
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