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A
visitor braves rainy weather to take photos
of the Kiwanis International's 122nd Tournament
of Roses Parade float entry "Children's
Dreams" at the public viewing event held
near Victory Park in Pasadena.
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PASADENA
- The 122nd Tournament of Roses Parade became history
on New Year's Day, but its famous floral floats continued
to draw "oohs" and "aahs" Sunday.
The
47 flower-covered masterpieces were on display at
Sierra Madre and Washington boulevards, where visitors
were invited to take an up-close look. The floats
are traditionally displayed to the public the day
after the Rose Parade.
Despite
chilly weather and afternoon showers, thousands flocked
to admire and photograph the rolling artwork. Many
in attendance were unable to attend Saturday's parade
but watched it on television.
"They're
smaller than what I thought they would be (from television),"
said Rudy Aguilar of Downey, who came with his fiancee,
Patricia Monzon, and his 7-year-old brother, Andrew.
"They're
gorgeous," he added. "Very beautiful."
Aguilar
and Monzon said they didn't mind the light showers
that fell during their visit to Pasadena.
Loyal
to their hometown, their favorite float was Downey's
"A Stroll Down Memory Lane Float," while
Andrew said he preferred Torrance's float, "Afternoon
Tea with Friends," which featured a dragon standing
more than 20 feet tall.
Holly
Unger of Vista said after seeing the floats on television,
they were more impressive in person.
"The
colors are pretty amazing," she said.
Some
aspects of the floats, such as their flowery aromas,
can't be viewed on a screen.
"The
textures, I think, are the
best
part of it," Unger added.
Her favorite floats, she said, were the Odd Fellows
and Rebekahs' "Underwater Fantasy," float,
which featured a sea turtle and other underwater creatures,
and Quickrete's "What America's Made Of"
float, which depicted the classic tale of the three
little pigs and the big bad wolf.
An
audio tour guide was made available for download on
iTunes so visitors could listen on their iPods as
they strolled the grounds.
"It's
amazing what they can do with just flowers and a little
bit of organic materials," Michelle Higgins of
Pacific Palisades said as she checked out the floats
with her son Alexander Martinez, 9.
Higgins'
favorites were Wells Fargo's "Opening Spectacular,"
and Cal Poly Universities whimsical "Galactic
Expedition." Alexander said Torrance's dragon
float was his favorite.
While
Higgins said the event was enjoyable even despite
the weather, "We probably would have stayed longer
without the rain."
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