120th Tournament of Roses Parade: An Intimate Photographic Essay

PASADENA, CA. Jan. 2, 2009. Today the Tournament of Roses® via the KTLA Morning News announced Cal-Poly Universities as the winner of the inaugural Viewers' Choice Award. Their float, themed Seaside Amusement, was self built, and received 3,219 votes out of a total of 10,618 votes submitted. Cal-Poly has enjoyed a reputation over the years for fun floats with innovative design.

The theme for the 2009 parade was Hats Off to Entertainment.

Old tyme movie camera from West Covina's float, Horray for Hollywood

The winner of the award was announced by Tournament of Roses President Corky Conzonire, live from the Post Parade Showcase of Floats via the KTLA Morning News.

Laura Farber, chairperson of the Tournament of Roses Judging committee said, "In the spirit of the 2009 Rose Parade® … the float submitted by Cal Poly Universities certainly entertained audiences all around the country … For a long time, we have wanted to offer an interactive venue for Rose Parade fans, and are very glad we were able to partner with KTLA to provide the Viewers' Choice award for the 2009 Parade. We are thrilled with the overwhelming turnout of voters for this first run and look forward to providing this opportunity for years to come."

Cal Poly University’s engaging float included a working rollercoaster, ferris wheel and bumper cars.








A parade official shows a young parade-goer a close up view of the bumper car.


On January 1, 2009, more than 10,000 Parade fans visited www.ktla.com/roseparade and cast their votes for the Viewers' Choice Award. At the site, they were able to view video of the Rose Parade, see the floats again and catch the Parade in its entirety for the first time if they missed it on television. Voting took place from 10:00 a.m. (PST) to 6:00 p.m. (PST).

The 120th Tournament of Roses Parade opened on New Year’s Day with a green vision for the future: the Honda CFX Clarity. KTLA’s Bob Eubanks noted that it was the first hydrogen powered pace car ever – the only emission being water vapor, and said, “folks, there is the future, right there in front of you.”

Eubanks expressed appreciation to all the sponsors of the floats for bringing such beauty into our lives, especially during challenging times.

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