A Post to Make You Smile

Hello, My Lovelies!

Many of us are staying inside today due to snow, ice, cold, and other winter nasties.  I hope that wherever you are that you're enjoying a warm beverage and finding a little bit of joy.

In order to help you smile on this cold winter's day, I wanted to share with you a few of my favorite characters from the 2024 (135th) Tournament of Roses Parade.

I've always wanted to visit Pasadena and attend the Rose Parade, and when Alabama was invited to play in the Rose Bowl as part of the College Football Championship Playoffs, Mr. Bookish wanted to treat me to a trip to Southern California.  We were also able to visit family and friends, and I'll write more about our trip in a later post.

Today's post is all about the parade.  We loved this year's theme:  “Celebrating a World of Music: The Universal Language."  Here are a few of my favorite characters, and I hope they make you smile.

This little pup was on the float that won the Director's Award for the most outstanding artistic design and use of floral and non floral materials.  The participants were The Pasadena Humane Society and Hill's Pet Nutrition.  The float's theme was "Feed the Love."

This float did not win an award, but it was one of my favorites.  It's theme:  "Bee the Solution,"  and the sponsor for this float was Union Station Homeless Services of Pasadena.  

This float's escaped carousel horse made me giggle.  Winning the Queen Award Trophy for the most outstanding presentation of roses, its theme was "Enchanted Music Box."  The beautiful bouquets of roses covering the float ensured its win sponsored by the Sierra Madre Rose Float Association (see below).

Sponsored by the City of Alhambra, this dragon represented the year of the dragon.  This float won the Fantasy Award for the most outstanding display of fantasy and imagination.  Its theme was "Keep Dreaming."

Winning the Wrigley Legacy Award for the most outstanding display of floral presentation, float design, and entertainment, the flamingos on this float stunned the crowd.

Sponsored by the Downey Rose Float Association,  its theme was the "Rhythm of the Caribbean."

Sponsored by the UPS Store,  this adorable float won the Bob Hope Humor Award for the most whimsical and amusing float.  You can read its theme "The Beat of Achievement,"  and please notice the alligator's watch.  These floats were so detailed, y'all.

The South Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association's float won the Founder's Award for the most outstanding float built and decorated by volunteers from a community or organization.   The float's theme was "Boogie Fever," and I  loved how the giraffe's instrument of choice.

Winning the Extraordinaire Trophy for the most extraordinary float, the Visit Newport Beach organization wowed everyone with its boat parade float composed of several boats.  My favorite boat was piloted by Frosty the Snowman, and the float's theme was "Jingle on the Waves."

 

 

Until next time...

Blessings!
Ricki Jill