Parade logo.
I’ve made no secret in this space – and on my podcast (Conversations with Sports Fans) – about my fondness of all things Tournament of Roses.
The Parade instantly transports me to my family’s living room sofa in rural Adams County, IN, munching on New Years Eve leftovers while discussing the marching bands and the floats with my mom and sister. And the Bowl Game stirs echoes of legendary broadcasters such as Curt Gowdy, Dick Enberg, and Keith Jackson, crafting the soundtrack of the play at the foot of the sunsplashed San Gabriel Mountains as our late afternoon Middle America dreariness gave way to total darkness.
Overly nostalgic?
Perhaps. But for a sports-crazed kid from the Middle of Nowhere, Indiana, the entire Pasadena and Rose Bowl event was almost an out-of-body experience that I very rarely – if ever – missed.
So you’re going to get plenty of words (and images!) about my three-plus days in Pasadena for the recent Parade and Bowl Game. This is the first installment.
A Word About Hollywood Burbank Airport
At left, Tim and Doug shortly after arriving at historic Hollywood Burbank Airport. At left, a reminder of the airport’s history and former name, Bob Hope, hangs behind the holiday decorations.
If there’s one thing I’ve enjoyed about this Around the World in 80 Sporting Events project, it’s been the planning – the chase, if you will – to maximize the limited resources I have and fit all the puzzle pieces into place.
As I explored flights into the Los Angeles area, my initial instincts had me looking at Los Angeles International (of which I’d flown in and out of a few times, previously) but the distance, and traffic, to Pasadena was less-than-appealing. That distance thing was the same reason for never seriously considering John Wayne (aka Orange County) Airport.
Enter Hollywood Burbank Airport, which I recalled being named Bob Hope Aiport (official rebrand occurred in 2017). The airport’s convenience and proximity to Pasadena (20-25 drive even in traffic) was tremendous! And while I’m a big fan of non-stop flights, the lower cost, ease of arrival/departure, and location could not be topped.
If you’re traveling to greater LA and don’t have a need to go into the city center regularly, I cannot recommend BUR highly enough.
Tim & Doug Check Out Pasadena
Surprisingly, our hotel room in neighboring Glendale was ready for us by our 1 p.m. arrival and, after a quick recalibration nap, we headed off to see Pasadena and find a spot to watch some of the Detroit Lions-San Francisco 49ers Monday Night Football game.
Our Lyft driver delivered us to the front door of Vroman’s Bookstore. Tim and I are both retired English teachers and former journalists, so visiting a bookstore on Pasadena’s venerable Colorado Boulevard (site of a certain parade) seemed a natural first stop.
Billed as California’s oldest independent bookstore, Vroman’s has been peddling books in Pasadena since it’s founder Adam Clark Vroman opened the doors in 1894.
In a nod to 2024, the bookstore now features a coffee house and a wine bar.
It’s a lovely little spot that features all the usual genres as well as the additional items bookstores need to carry to help sustain in this era: Pasadena/Los Angeles/California-themed merch, games, journaling/author materials, the aforementioned coffee and wine spots, and during our visit, holiday items for sale.
No books were purchased, but I did nab a postcard and a sticker to commemorate my visit.
From Vroman’s we headed west on Colorado (which along this stretch doubles as part of historic U.S. Route 66) in search of the Pasadena Robinson Memorial. The memorial features a pair of massive busts of Jackie and Mack Robinson two of Pasadena’s most famous sons.
- Jackie, of course, was a 4-sport star at Pasadena City College before going on to do the same across town at UCLA. His claim to fame to the wider world was becoming the first modern Major League Baseball player of color.
- Jackie’s older brother, Mack, was a track and field star at PCC where he set junior college records in the 100 and 200 meters as well as the long jump. He qualified for the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Team that ran in the 1936 Berlin Summer Olympics. Mack took second to Jesse Owens in the 200 meters, finishing 0.4 seconds before Owens. Mack went onto run track and graduate from the University of Oregon.
From a distance, the sculptures appear as giant floating heads, but upon closer inspection, the details inlaid into each is magnificent and features additional words and imagery.
Some of the detail in the Robinson busts, clockwise from upper left, at the top of Jackie’s head is a crossword puzzle-type grid with the names of significant people from his life; the back of Jackie’s head features images of the four sports he competed in during his high school and college years (football, baketball, track, and baseball); the back of Mack’s head depicts him sprinting; the side of Jackie’s head lists his career including time in the Army, with the LA Dodgers, and Chock Full o’ Nuts Coffee; the top of Mack’s head features the Olympic Stadium in Berlin.
Across the street from the Robinson Memorial is Pasadena’s City Hall which was crazy busy (to us, at least) for a late Monday afternoon during a holiday week with folks dressed to the nines posing for photos. We eventually approached a pair of city officials to inquire about all the photo-ops and were told it’s just become a thing. The architecture and scenery lend themselves to senior photos, engagement photos, wedding photos, etc. Also, one gal informed us, this building was used for exterior shots of the fictious Pawnee government building in the show “Parks and Recreation” (which neither Tim nor I watched).
Clockwise from upper left, the exterior of Pasadena’s City Hall; its Christmas Tree; and the courtyard in the rear which was full of folks taking professional photographs.
Once back on Colorado, we kept heading west in search of the Lululemon pop-op where we’d pick up our Run with the Roses 5K materials for the next night’s kickoff to a busy New Year.
Along our route I noticed the grandstand where we’d be seated for the Parade in a couple of days. It set directly in front of the First United Methodist Church. We even ambled up the steps to sample our seats in anticipation of the big event on January 1.
We made it to our destination, picked up our materials our materials for the January 1 at midnight 5K that I got us into. Lululemon was kind enough to offer us a 25% off discount on any purchases but alas, even by shaving a quarter off the price, neither Tim nor I found anything that screamed to us, “Wear me!”
So we sallied forth in search of sustenance, a cooling beverage, and some TVs to check out my Lions’ revenge game in Santa Clara. We found all of the above at a place called, Congregation Brewery and Cocina, a California-based brewery in Azusa.
Our server, Brenda, was a delight and helped us navigate the menu, drink list, and, most importantly, get MNF on screens that were within eyesight of each of us.
There was one more stop in Pasadena I wanted to make before we headed back to our lodging.
My daughter, Helena, is a frequent shopper of Trader Joe’s and I was keenly aware the franchise originated in Pasadena. And there, just a few blocks from where we enjoyed pizza and beverages, was the one that started it all.
The original Trader Joe’s in Pasadena. Note the mural inside the front window noting it’s where it all started as well as the sign affixed to the palm tree indicating the exact date it opened (I was but 2 months old!)
Somewhat surprisingly, aside from the sign out front, it looked pretty much like every other Trader Joe’s I’ve ever visited … which, I suppose, is fine.
Floats, Bowls, and Links
Knowing what the following 48 hours were going to look like, Tim and I slow-played our start to the final day of 2024. No alarms were set, we enjoyed the hotel’s breakfast, and watched nearly all of the Michigan-Alabama ReliaQuest Bowl.
By early afternoon we got started by driving over to the Rose Bowl Stadium footprint where we were pleasantly surprised to find floats queued up receiving last-minute attention. Being able to be a few feet away (in some instances) from these works of floral art was rather remarkable.
As every square inch of exposed surface of the floats must be covered by flowers and/or other natural materials, the floats are true labors of love. Clockwise from upper left, there’s even special glue; a spray waits to be placed on a float; extra flower blooms wait to be affixed to a float; both particiapting schools in the game have floats dedicated to them; each rose rests in an individual vial of water to remain fresh; the Mississippi entry was among my favorites; the Honda float featured a spinning globe; the American Heartland Theme Park (OK) entry.
Of the ones we saw, my favorite was the one from Mississippi. A major reason for preferring this one is, no doubt, because Event No. 10 took me to Oxford, MS, for the Egg Bowl. I also stayed one night in Tupelo where the Elvis statue depicted on the float is displayed.
From there we trekked across a field to check out the Ohio State and Oregon semi-trucks that hauled gear cross country for the next day’s game, saw Urban Meyer on the B1G Network set, the Rose Bowl’s Jackie Robinson statue (off limits for up close visits due to the TV set).
We next made our way to the main gate of the Rose Bowl Stadium, though closed, it still offered plenty of opportunities for photo ops as well as a quiet and up close look at the Keith Jackson statue.
Clockwise from upper left, Keith Jackson became a beloved voice of the Rose Bowl and now has a statue near the main entrance honoring his him; tractor trailers from both Oregon and Ohio State were featured prominently in front of the stadium; former OSU head coach Urban Meyer chats it up on the B1G Network; the Rose Bowl Stadium has a statue of former UCLA running back Jackie Robinson on its grounds; and the main entrance of the Rose Bowl Stadium.
Our final stop on this side of the stadium was in the adjacent parking area where something called the “Bowl Bash” was ongoing. Free to anyone who showed up, the Bowl Bash featured food and beverage, a DJ, big screens showcasing other bowl action, some games (pickleball, corn hole, field goal kicking, passing accuracy, etc), appearanced by the Oregon and OSU bands and spirit squads, and photo opportunities with the Rose Bowl’s Leishman Trophy and other assorted Rose Bowl-themed things.
I’d categorize it as a fun experience, though I failed in the field goal kicking I was successful in fending off Tim in corn hole (21-20). We steered clear of the overpriced food and beverage but enjoyed seeing The Ohio State band and spirit squads perform. We even caught a glimpes of ESPN talent – play-by-play announcer Chris Fowler and studio analyst Joey Galloway – get stopped and searched at a security checkpoint.
Clockwise from the upper left, absolutely, I’ll sit in your over-sized inflatable chair and pose for a photo; ESPN’s Chris Fowler is wanded by security before entering the stadium; the OSU band marches in; Tim and I pose with the Leishman Trophy; Tim and I posing with the 2025 Rose Bowl sign; ESPN’s Joey Galloway chats up a security guard waiting to be inspected; and, yes, I’ll also pose under the balloon helmets from each school.
After we finished bashing, we headed to the other side of the stadium and visited Brookside Golf Course which, like the stadium and rest of the parkland surrounding it, is owned and operated by the City of Pasadena. Brookside features 36 holes and is open to the public. Tim wanted to check it out because he brought his clubs on this trip and there’s a chance he might sneak in 18 after returning from a cruise he and wife, Tracey, were sailing on following the Rose Bowl festivities.
Only one of the courses was open on New Years Eve (and players were walking off as we arrived) because the other was utilized for parking and the next day’s “Fan Fest.” While looking dry (which it has been in this area) the course appeared well maintained, the clubhouse had plenty of Rose Bowl merchandise free of the participating schools’ logos, and a lovely grill that was closing as we arrived.
From left, the Brookside sign out front; a view of one of the practice green areas (note the hospitality tents in the background); a mural inside the clubhouse; and a banner on the lamp post out front quotes Keith Jackson with the “Granddaddy of them all.”
- Next Time: A Full Day of Rose Fun