I grew up in Burbank California just a few miles from Pasadena. My parents taught us to appreciate the history and tradition of the Rose Parade and Rose Bowl. The Rose Parade, like the Macey’s Thanksgiving Day Parade remains one of the most unique parades in America, if not the world. National broadcasts bring the parade into millions of homes each January 1st. The broadcasts, however, fail to convey the smell of the parade with ever part of every float covered in flowers and other living plants. They also failed to convey the energy generated by “sleeping on the blue line” (the line down Orange Grove and Colorado Blvds behind which the crowds must remain).
Lessons Learned from the 1966 Rose Parade
I marched in the 1966 Rose Parade as a very young member of the Burbank Police Boys Band (or Fuzz Band as we called it). Every few years the Fuzz Band would combine with the two marching bands from both high schools in our city. I felt so honored and humbled to march the 5.5 miles in the parade I had watched both on TV and in person for most of my life.
Walt Disney served as Grand Master that January. Since Disney Studios headquartered in Burbank, the parade officials selected our band to march just behind the grand marshal’s car and Burbank float near the front of the parade. I did not appreciate the blessing that entailed until my next time marching near the rear of the parade.
I learned perseverance and dedication that year. We had not known that they required all bands to play continuously for a quarter mile before the turn from Orange Grove onto Colorado Blvd. In addition, we had to play nonstop for the quarter mile after the turn. That turn contained most of the national television cameras and VIP bleachers. They wanted to guarantee music played while on camera. Frequently, problems further along the parade route stalled the parade at that point so we would have to play nonstop for quite while. Playing the trombone that long stressed my lips and wore out my arms holding the instrument the whole time. I succeeded and felt strong having done so.
Lessons from the Back of the Parade in 1972
My next privilege to march in the Rose Parade occurred in 1972. This time I marched as both a member of Fuzz Band and John Burroughs High School Marching Band. Further, officials placed our band closer to the end of the parade.
We quickly recognized that we were following behind 104 horses in 18 separate units in the lineup before us. Further, no matter what gifts the horses had left for us on the road—we were to march straight and not break rand in our lineup. Frequently, we could avoid soiling our shoes by taking a little longer stride than normal. Often times we couldn’t. The experience reconfirmed lessons my parents taught me about sticking to tough situations no matter how unpleasant they may be.
I also learned that some opportunities come our way only a few times in our lives. That when they do, we should be fully prepared, persist through challenges, and appreciate the opportunity offered to us. To this day, I treasure my opportunities to be part of the grand tradition surrounding the Tournament of Roses.
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