Rose Parade crowd braves cold, inspired by honored heroes

PASADENA >> It took Maria Roppel a week to ferry from Alaska to Washington and then drive to Pasadena, but she said the effort was worth it because seeing the Rose Parade on Thursday was a dream come true.

Since she was a 7-year-old living in Honduras, Roppel, now 36, said the first thing her entire family did on New Years Day was turn on the TV to watch a resplendent display.

So today, my family knows I am right here. Probably they are looking for me in the public, she said. This is my dream come true: coming here on the first day of the year and watching live.

More than 700,000 spectators lined a 5 1/2-mile route Thursday to watch the 126th Rose Parade, themed Inspiring Stories. Near-record breaking cold temperature on Jan. 1 did not deter crowds, who later peeled off bundles and layers as the sun shoved away temperatures just four degrees above freezing.

Photos: Rose Parade 2015 in images

People came from near and far to watch 40 arresting floral floats, 20 bands and 18 equestrian units.

For the 15th year, Ning Ning Yu, of Pasadena, watched the Rose Parade on Colorado Boulevard. The veteran spectator and her group of friends had a folding table loaded with potluck goodies: noodles, Asian pancakes, soy milk, hot dogs, yams and Starbucks coffee.

She said her gang has made going to the Rose Parade a tradition. Its easy, she said, when she feels so connected to it. Last year the Rose Queen was her daughters classmate, and four years ago, her Eagle Scout son was in the procession.

You feel like youre part of the community, Yu said. You cheer for them. Its like a celebration of the family and everyone involved.

Paul Smith and William Healey, a San Francisco couple, said they celebrated by kissing as the Salvation Army Tournament of Roses Band marched by.

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Many Oregon Ducks fans drove to Pasadena for the 101st Rose Bowl Game. Tom Elam, from Powers, Ore., said his favorite aspect of the Rose Parade was the droves of people who lined the streets. Coming from a small city with less than 700 residents, seeing such a large crowd was quite something, he said. He applauded the city of Pasadena for pulling off a parade like this.

Yet Elam really came to the Southland to watch the Rose Bowl game. He ran into only one Florida State fan, but he said he wasnt surprised at the Seminoles low fan turnout in Pasadena.

Florida has been good for so long, and Oregon has only been good recently, he said.

As for Roppel, who made sure to capture stellar moments with her mobile phone, the Rose Parade was the main attraction. She has lived in Alaska for seven years, but her yen for the Rose Parade came way before that from fond childhood memories.

On Thursday she said she made new memories and friends. Its not just the music, color and excitement of the Rose Parade. Its feeling the crowds energy and sharing a cup of Joe and warm food with temporary neighbors, she said. The Rose Parade certainly helped her start 2015 on an inspired note, Roppel said.

Source: http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/lifestyle/20150101/rose-parade-crowd-braves-cold-inspired-by-honored-heroes