One of the biggest world-wide celebrations held in Los Angeles is the world-famous annual Tournament of Roses Parade, held along the streets of Pasadena, one of LA’s many suburbs.

Started in 1890, the Tournament of Roses has grown from a local Pasadena event into a monumental event, viewed world-wide, every year on the first day of January. Today thousands of eager fans camp out overnight along the parade’s five-and-a-half mile route to partake in the all-night, party atmosphere. To maintain order, police patrol the route, but, comprised of a good-natured crowd, the worst that generally happens is that, pre-parade eve, cars driving along the parade course are egged or sprayed with shaving cream or silly string.

Those who wish to pay to view to parade can reserve seats in grandstands and bleachers that are set up at strategic points along the parade’s route. Better yet, dependent upon your cache value, you may be able to get in on of the exclusive box seat deals where guest are entreated not only with unobstructed, field-side seats, but also catered food and drink and access to live play-by-play.

The parade itself begins early on the morning of January 1st and entails such highlighted activities as: ‘the best of’ high school and college marching bands from around the country, world class equestrian units, and, of course, the rose floats, which are diligently worked on a year before the actual event takes place.

Known the world over for its impressive and unique presentations, the Rose Parade’s floats are sponsored by schools, clubs, small businesses, cities, and giant corporations. Competition rules state that every exposed surface of every float must be covered with live, organic material. This includes flower petals, leaves, seeds, stems, bark, and any other growing plant or plant part.

It’s in all the details…Floats, typically decorated by thousands of volunteers, both locals, as well as, national supporters, ensure every surface is painstakingly covered by hand. Of course, nothing is left to chance, rather workers follow a master blueprint, meticulously detailing where each décor item should be placed.

Up-close and personal…Following the parade the floats are kept on display for two days in a local park in Pasadena where thousands of people from all over the world have the unprecedented opportunity to view, up-close, these incredible works of art.

No matter whether you brave the night camped on the sidewalks of Pasadena or you watch from the comfort of your own living room, there is hardly a person on Earth who doesn’t catch all or at the very least part of the Tournament of Roses Parade each and every New Year’s day.