Tournament of Roses Parade
TV ClubHouse: Archives: 2003 January:
Tournament of Roses Parade
Whoami | Tuesday, December 31, 2002 - 01:07 pm     It's been a tradition in our house for as long as I can remember to watch the Rose Parade, and Macy's Thanksgiving Parade. For the past several years, choosing what channel to watch the parade on is dependant on which network has the least annoying hosts on the show. I often found myself flipping constantly from ABC, CBS and NBC. But each year the smarmy hosts who are more interested in mugging for the camera than letting us watch the parade had become too much to bear. To top it all off, they often go, "here's the next band, ok now for a commercial." Aside from the fact that I love the marching arts, and love to watch the bands, I always find it a shame, knowing the kids in these bands work on fundraisers and such for a year (or more) to make this once in a lifetime trip. To have their band appear on tv, only to have the network go to commercial is an insult to the hard work they've put forth to raise the money, and perfect their performance levels to be in the parade. Two years ago, someone on the drum corps message board I visit suggested we watch the parade on HGTV. I'll never go back to the networks again for the parade. The hosts on HGTV spend the "filler" time with samples of the various plants the floats use, and demonstrations on how the plants are used to create the floats. The hosts actually visit the floats as they are being staged and prepped for the parade, ask questions and take notes. If, during one of their "filler" spots, a float, band or other parade entrant comes into view, they interrupt themselves and go to the parade with a "we'll get back to this later." For anyone into watching the parade, I strongly recommend you watch it on HGTV if you have it available. Unless, of course, you actually enjoy camera hungry hosts who keep hogging the camera while the next few parade entrants go by! |
Zachsmom | Tuesday, December 31, 2002 - 01:59 pm     Thanks Whoami!! My son LOVES parades, but hates the commercials and all the talking that goes with them! I am going to tune into HGTV! tomorrow!! Thanks for the suggestion!! |
Egbok | Tuesday, December 31, 2002 - 02:08 pm     I'm actually attending the Rose Parade tomorrow! Woo-Hoo!! My nephew is a drummer in the Los Angeles All-City Marching Band and we bought grandstand seating tickets to watch his 15 seconds of marching fame pass us by!!  |
Zachsmom | Tuesday, December 31, 2002 - 02:15 pm     Have fun Egbok! I've lived in so cal for <<ahem>> 30+ years and have NEVER been to the parade..lol part of me would love to go..but I think I'd like it the day after and just see the floats..I hate crowds.. |
Lumbele | Tuesday, December 31, 2002 - 02:34 pm     Thanks Who, passing the info on to dh who watches every year. |
Whoami | Tuesday, December 31, 2002 - 03:13 pm     How cool Egbok! Which drum does he play? Snare, tenor, bass, etc? Can you describe him (height, build, etc..hair probably wont' be noticable if they are wearing hats!). Or, let's say...if he's a snare, do you know if he's the "third one from the left?" I want to be able to look for him! <..hopes now that HGTV keeps thier usual format, and doesn't go the way of the cheesy networks!> |
Moondance | Tuesday, December 31, 2002 - 03:24 pm     Whoohooo MsBok! That is so cool! Have a GREAT time! |
Egbok | Tuesday, December 31, 2002 - 03:31 pm     Zachsmom, I know you hate crowds but I'm telling you, the crowds are well worth seeing, hearing and SMELLING the parade/floats as they pass on by! If you haven't gone to Victory Park afterwards to view the floats, then I'd say that's a must too!! - although, you'll find a crowd there too. Come with me sometime!! Whoami, my nephew plays the "quads" - a set of 4 drums lined up side by side. There will be others playing quads as well. He will be toward the back, mid way down on the right side as you face the band. He is the tallest drummer with dark curly hair and will be wearing a white beret, and some of the other drummers will be wearing a tall white furry type of marching hat. Just a quick fact about this band...they are selected by try-outs from all eligible students of the L.A. Unified School District. Their practices have been intense for the past 3 months and they have been marching their little feet off at Dodger Stadium's parking lot for the past two weeks to finalize everything. Yesterday they got to march/perform at Disneyland for the parade down Main Street. It's been a process and an experience he will never forget!! Can you tell I'm a proud Auntie! |
Twiggyish | Tuesday, December 31, 2002 - 03:31 pm     The HGTV site also has a whole section on each float with a full description. Eggie, I'll look for your nephew! I LOVE this parade. =) |
Weinermr | Tuesday, December 31, 2002 - 09:44 pm     Zachsmom and others, As Egbok mentioned, the Rose Parade floats are available for viewing by the public after the parade. My family and I have gone to view them in past years and have greatly enjoyed the experience. The floats are gorgeous! "'Post Parade offers a unique opportunity to get within about five feet of the floats,' said Jeff Throop, chairman of the Rose Parade Committee. Throop's advice is to come early, preferably on Thursday. Other tips for post-parade visits include allowing enough time (about four hours) and toting a camera. The post-parade viewing site, located at Washington and Sierra Madre boulevards, is open to the general public from 1 to 5 p.m. on New Year's Day and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursday. (Ticket sales stop at 3:30 p.m. both days.) A special time - 7 to 9 a.m. on Thursday - is reserved for people in wheelchairs and others with physical limitations. Admission is $6, but free for children 3 and younger. Those attending on New Year's Day should exit the Foothill Freeway (210) at Sierra Madre Village, head north and follow the signs to parking and post-parade viewing, said Throop. On Thursday, a free shuttle will be available from Pasadena City College (at Del Mar Boulevard and Hill Street) and from the Rose Bowl. Viewing tickets will be sold at the shuttle stops. Last year, 115,000 people showed up to the post viewing, Throop said. 'I've never seen so many people smile at one time,' he said. 'They're just in awe. There's nothing like it in the world.'" |
Whoami | Wednesday, January 01, 2003 - 12:28 pm     So, did anyone watch the parade on HGTV? And, what did you think of their broadcast? I forgot one of the other things I liked about their broadcast is, when one of the hosts mentions a particular part of a float, the camera goes right to what they're talking about. Egbok, I'm pretty sure I caught a glimpse of your nephew! It went by pretty fast though. It's being shown again this evening on HGTV. Since I slept through the first part of the parade this morning, I plan to tape/watch it again tonight. |
Cjr | Wednesday, January 01, 2003 - 12:40 pm     I missed the parade this morning but HGTV has it on at 5 p.m. so I will watch it then. I appreciate the tip for HGTV Whoami. |
Twiggyish | Wednesday, January 01, 2003 - 03:13 pm     I LOVED IT! The whole thing was great and HGTV did a good job. They were able to focus on the bands,too. Those kids work hard to get there and deserve to be highlighted. |
Tess | Wednesday, January 01, 2003 - 04:09 pm     I missed the whole thing, too, but it's being repeated twice so I'm taping it tonight. Thanks, Who. The "Making of the Rose Parade" has been very interesting as well. |
Myjohnhenry | Wednesday, January 01, 2003 - 04:17 pm     I don't get HGTV, CBS coverage sucked, and the others stopped for ball games before the parade was over. |
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