Rose Parade 2024 ‘afterparty’ draws thousands for a last look at the floats
The UPS float rises about crowds at the Floatfest on Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024. Visitors could view the Rose Parade floats up close along Sierra Madre and Washington Boulevards in Pasadena and get a closer look at the design and workmanship that went into each float entry. Tournament volunteers were also on hand to describe the float-building process. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Visitors check out the Rotary International float at the Floatfest on Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024. Visitors could view the Rose Parade floats up close along Sierra Madre and Washington Boulevards in Pasadena and get a closer look at the design and workmanship that went into each float entry. Tournament volunteers were also on hand to describe the float-building process. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
A colorful jester on the Visit Louisiana float at the Floatfest on Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024. Visitors could view the Rose Parade floats up close along Sierra Madre and Washington Boulevards in Pasadena and get a closer look at the design and workmanship that went into each float entry. Tournament volunteers were also on hand to describe the float-building process. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
A trio of colorful kitties peek out of the Hills xe2x80x9cFeed the Lovexe2x80x9d float at the Floatfest on Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024. Visitors could view the Rose Parade floats up close along Sierra Madre and Washington Boulevards in Pasadena and get a closer look at the design and workmanship that went into each float entry. Tournament volunteers were also on hand to describe the float-building process. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Crowds gather around Rose Parade floats along Washington Blvd at the Floatfest on Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024. Visitors could view the Rose Parade floats up close along Sierra Madre and Washington Boulevards in Pasadena and get a closer look at the design and workmanship that went into each float entry. Tournament volunteers were also on hand to describe the float-building process. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
A colorful jester on the Visit Louisiana float at the Floatfest on Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024. Visitors could view the Rose Parade floats up close along Sierra Madre and Washington Boulevards in Pasadena and get a closer look at the design and workmanship that went into each float entry. Tournament volunteers were also on hand to describe the float-building process. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
A larger-than-life hummingbird feeds its young on the City of Torrance float at the Floatfest on Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024. Visitors could view the Rose Parade floats up close along Sierra Madre and Washington Boulevards in Pasadena and get a closer look at the design and workmanship that went into each float entry. Tournament volunteers were also on hand to describe the float-building process. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Barrett Bly, 5, of Laverne, gets a ride in a miniature Air Force jet at the Floatfest on Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024. Visitors could view the Rose Parade floats up close along Sierra Madre and Washington Boulevards in Pasadena and get a closer look at the design and workmanship that went into each float entry. Tournament volunteers were also on hand to describe the float-building process. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
An ape and butterfly were just part of the San Diego Zoo float, which won the Sweepstakes award on display at the Floatfest on Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024. Visitors could view the Rose Parade floats up close along Sierra Madre and Washington Boulevards in Pasadena and get a closer look at the design and workmanship that went into each float entry. Tournament volunteers were also on hand to describe the float-building process. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
A jet from the Honda float soars over visitors at the Floatfest on Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024. Visitors could view the Rose Parade floats up close along Sierra Madre and Washington Boulevards in Pasadena and get a closer look at the design and workmanship that went into each float entry. Tournament volunteers were also on hand to describe the float-building process. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The Alhambra float, which won the Fantasy Award, gets visitors attention at the 2024 Floatfest on Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024. Visitors got to view the Rose Parade floats up close along Sierra Madre and Washington Boulevards in Pasadena and get a closer look at the design and workmanship that went into each float entry. Tournament volunteers were also on hand to describe the float-building process. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Visitors walk past the Elks USA Float 2024 at the Floatfest on Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024. Visitors could view the Rose Parade floats up close along Sierra Madre and Washington Boulevards in Pasadena and get a closer look at the design and workmanship that went into each float entry. Tournament volunteers were also on hand to describe the float-building process. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Rose Parade volunteer Bruce Toomer keeps visitors from getting too close to the animals on the San Diego Zoo float at the Floatfest on Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024. Visitors could view the Rose Parade floats up close along Sierra Madre and Washington Boulevards in Pasadena and get a closer look at the design and workmanship that went into each float entry. Tournament volunteers were also on hand to describe the float-building process. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Visitors capture the color at the Floatfest on Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024. Visitors could view the Rose Parade floats up close along Sierra Madre and Washington Boulevards in Pasadena and get a closer look at the design and workmanship that went into each float entry. Tournament volunteers were also on hand to describe the float-building process. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The UPS float rises about crowds at the Floatfest on Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024. Visitors could view the Rose Parade floats up close along Sierra Madre and Washington Boulevards in Pasadena and get a closer look at the design and workmanship that went into each float entry. Tournament volunteers were also on hand to describe the float-building process. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Large bees lead the way on the Union Station Homeless Services float at the Floatfest on Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024. Visitors could view the Rose Parade floats up close along Sierra Madre and Washington Boulevards in Pasadena and get a closer look at the design and workmanship that went into each float entry. Tournament volunteers were also on hand to describe the float-building process. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Floatfest, the afterparty of sorts to the 135th edition of the Rose Parade, went off without a hitch on Jan. 1 and 2.
Close to 60,000 people descended on the corner of Sierra Madre and Washington Boulevards in Pasadena to take in a two-mile showcase of 40 floats from the parade.
The Bellgardt family of Sherman Oaks arrived at Floatfest wearing their allegiance to the Rose Bowl-winning Michigan Wolverines, who beat the Alabama Crimson Tide 27-20.
Ramiro Bellgardt admitted he’s the biggest fan in the family, but his wife Elizabeth and their two sons agree Floatfest is a must-see.
“We were here last year and the crowds were thinner because there was a light drizzle,” Elizabeth Bellgardt said.
This year’s float walk was warmer, but no less spectacular.
The family’s standout entries include the American Armenian Rose Float Association, the city of Alhambra’s dragon, and the San Diego Zoo’s float, which won the Sweepstakes Trophy from the Tournament of Roses.
“We love seeing all the people out and seeing all the work on the floats from so close by,” Ramiro Bellgardt said.
Christine Reyes of Arcadia said even though her family prefer to watch the Rose Parade on TV, they had made a tradition of trekking up Sierra Madre Boulevard for Floatfest.
“It’s more relaxed, and we take our time looking at everything,” she said. She brought her son Austin, 2, who gaped at the giant backward-cap wearing crocodile on the UPS Store float. The entry won the Bob Hope Humor Award for most whimsical and amusing float and drew crowds at the event.
“He enjoyed seeing any animal on any float,” Reyes said.
Jaina Ilharreguy, 16, of Claremont is a fifth-generation Tournament of Roses volunteer.
A junior at California School of the Arts in Duarte, Jaina is a first-year Student Ambassador, high school students who help in the parade and its related events. Her family’s Rose Parade love began with her great-grandfather and continues with her grandmother, parents and other relatives.
“It’s a lot of fun being involved, from having been to the Rose Parade and here at Floatfest, to being here now post-parade as a volunteer,” she said. “I was at the Louisiana float earlier and people talked about how they love Mardi Gras. Everyone is happy to be here.”
Jaina also gave out one of nine cards Floatfest attendees can collect that make up a poster.
New this year was Food Fare, featuring food trucks and a seating area sponsored by Dine Out Lauderdale. Offerings included pupusas, barbecue, fried chicken sandwiches, and pizza.
For Jeff Musson, executive director of Coding for Veterans, the company’s first foray into the Rose Parade required him to assume many roles. It was easy to talk about the company’s mission, partnering with the USC Marshall School of Business to train veterans in cybersecurity and software development. But Musson also found himself gluing flowers to their float and even taking a turn as an actor.
The Canadian organization invited 10 veterans to ride on their float, including Hannah Gradillas and her one-year-old son. The Marine wife had not expected to spend Christmas with her husband Cpl. Gilbert Gradillas but was excited to learn she and her son had been selected to ride on the Coding for Veterans float.
“Here we are, 6 a.m. in front of Tournament House, and they were by the float,” Musson said. “I pretended to be on the phone with her husband, and had to say, ‘Oh, I got voicemail,’ as he walked around the float to surprise them. It was just fantastic and emotional.”
The Gradillas, who are stationed at Camp Pendleton in Oceanside, then rode down Colorado Boulevard on the float.
“We did this to thank veterans and their families for their service, and it’s been amazing,” Musson said. “It’s been a success any way you measure it.”
Their entry did win for Most Outstanding Float from Outside the U.S. and the group reports more than 300 applications to its remote coding classes on New Year’s Day alone. Musson was also at Floatfest to speak with guests, many of them veterans who had their photos taken with the float.
“I’m going to take home a lot of great memories, a couple of dried roses,” and the promise a new beginning always brings, he said.
