One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.
A Mini Red Wagon Rose Parade Brightens New Year's Day
A small flotilla of red wagon floats made their way down Orange Grove Boulevard on New Year's Day 2021. The traditional parade, viewed by millions around the world, was cancelled for only the fourth time since it began in 1891. Mariana Dale/LAist
The 2021 Rose Parade was canceled, but you could still find signs of the New Year’s Day tradition in Pasadena.
There’s a floral sculpture (think parade float without wheels) celebrating organ donors and healthcare professionals outside the Wrigley Mansion.
And on New Year's Day, at around 8 a.m., dozens of classic cars cruised Orange Grove Boulevard with roses fastened to their rearview mirrors.
Evelyn Perez and Maria Esquede wave at passers by on the corner of Colorado and Orange Grove along the Rose Parade route. They came out with a small display because they have been coming to the parade for over 20 years seeing the parade and didn't want to miss it this year. (Chava Sanchez/LAist)
On the sidewalk, would-be float decorators wearing masks pulled three red wagons, each with 150 roses, yellow strawflower petal stars and the words "dream," "believe" and "achieve" sprouting from the foliage.
"All the same natural decoration that you would find at the parade, no matter what," says Leslie Foxvog.
She’s a decoration manager for Artistic Entertainment Services and has worked on the Rose Parade for more than 45 years. The other wagons represented fellow float builders.
Sponsored message
“I could not imagine not being here, and being able to provide some part of the celebration, I really missed it,” Foxvog said.
The decision not to hold the Rose Parade was made more than five months ago, as organizers recognized an event that typically draws massive crowds — including people who camp out to secure prime spots — was not tenable during a pandemic. It marks only the fourth time since the parade began in 1891 that it was not held. The other cancellations took place during World War II.
Today’s mini parade stopped frequently so people could take pictures or ask about the flowers.
A Pasadena fire truck honked in recognition.
“As small as these are, it's brought a lot of happiness to people today,” said fellow decorator Andrea Zepeda.
Before they continued on their way, Foxvog plucked a pink rose from her wagon and handed it to me.
“These are the most fragrant ones today,” she said.
Sponsored message
I thanked her and we waved goodbye.
“Happy New Year!”
Our news is free on LAist. To make sure you get our coverage: Sign up for our daily newsletters. To support our non-profit public service journalism: Donate Now.
One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
