Rose Parade
Even if you’re not an American, you’ve probably heard of the Rose Parade before. It’s a grand parade that is part of the New Year celebration in Pasadena, California. It’s considered an institution already. But the best part about it is that everybody’s welcome to join. If you’re visiting Pasadena during the holidays then it would be a shame for you to miss this parade. But to make sure that you’ll have fun during the event, there are some things that you need to know about it. It’s a good thing that you’ve stumbled upon this article since it has important tips for people who are joining the parade for the first time. 
Join a guided tour
Do you know that you can take a guided tour of the parade? And it’s the best way to see the parade as a beginner. Not to mention that it is the most convenient. Joining the parade can be a daunting experience for beginners, especially if they’re on their own. But you can avoid confusion if you join a guided tour. If you’re on a tour then you don’t need to camp out on the street to secure a spot. You don’t have to spend the night outdoors in freezing weather. You don’t have to experience the hassle of buying grandstand tickets. You won’t have any problem parking. If you join a tour, you’ll have transportation to and from the venue. You’ll also have the best grandstand seats. You need to pay for a tour. But it’s definitely worth it.
It’s okay to miss the start
One of the things that you need to know about the Rose Parade is that the beginning is not always the best. You need to keep this in mind if you are going to the parade on your own. Many people want to be seated in spots where they can see the beginning of the parade. But this is not a good strategy since the best performances are almost always reserved towards the end of the parade and not at the beginning. It’s also hard to get these seats. You need to come very early if you want to see the beginning of the parade. But it’s not really necessary if you want to have fun at the parade.
Approach volunteers for help
If you have any concerns or questions or if you need help with anything, then you can simply approach any of the parade volunteers. It’s easy to spot them because they are the ones wearing a white suit. There are also about 1,000 of them that are spread out all over the venue. So no matter where you are, for sure there’s a volunteer nearby. The volunteers are actually a part of the Tournament of Roses Association, the organization that has been organizing and running the parade since 1895. These volunteers are also responsible for choosing parade participants, decorating the floats, and directing the crowd on parade day. They are knowledgeable and can answer all your parade-related questions.
Avoid the sun
If you don’t want sunlight shining on your face during the parade, then you need to make sure that you are positioned on the south side of the street. Keep in mind that a parade is a two-hour event. And it’s hard to watch a parade if the sun is in your eyes.
There are more to see
The Rose Parade may be the main attraction but there are many other things that you can see and do at Pasadena during the holidays. If you’re in the city before the parade then you can actually watch the floats being assembled. This will give you an idea of the number of preparations that people spend just to make the parade successful. You can also have a sneak peek of the bands that will be performing at the parade when you attend the Bandfest. You can also see the parade floats up close after the parade during the Post Parade Showcase of Floats. If you’re into football then you shouldn’t miss the Rose Bowl. The New Year season is one of the best times to visit California. Your choices of things to do are almost limitless.