As a little girl growing up in chilly New York, the sunny California weather always seemed so inviting as it beamed through my TV screen on New Year’s mornings. Now I live in California, and I enjoy the luxury of going to Pasadena to get an intimate look at the floats on display after the parade. Some of the fine points are impossible to imagine from a TV image, so these close up shots, offered in roughly chronological order, are offered here to celebrate the beauty in the details. (Please note: Floats with few or no photos or which are not listed were not avoided on purpose, they simply may have had poor lighting or visibility when I was there, or I have not yet been able to identify the image. I took over 400 photos in two hours, I will continue to add them in the next day or two.)
The American Theme Trophy for excellence in presenting the parade theme, went to American Honda and Phoenix Decorating Co. for Hats Off in Celebration, which opened the parade with a fanfare explosion of confetti.
Rain Bird Corporation’s Entertaining Expedition presented an African safari and won the Sweepstakes Trophy for the most beautiful entry with outstanding floral use, (Designed by Fiesta Parade Floats.)
Trader Joe’s Saturday Matinee featured a 3-D glasses-wearing, fire-breathing, monster that used his breath to heat up his popcorn.
La Cañada Flintridge Tournament of Roses Association received the Animation Trophy for best animation for Mechanical Melodies, which was made by volunteers in the City of La Canada-Flintridge.
RFD-TV offered Hee Haw.
The City of Mission Viejo entered Making a Splash which won the Judges' Special Trophy for most spectacular in showmanship. (Fiesta Parade Floats).
Macy’s offered its Renaissance garden-styled Queen’s Float, Presenting the Royal Court.
