Farmers Insurance "Celebrating Our Rich ...

Image by CaDeltaFoto via Flickr

By Randy Economy

December 20, 2010

10:35 p.m.

Pasadena, CA

The countdown to the 122nd Rose Parade has begun. Yep time for “Building Dreams, Friendships & Memories” that will head down the famed Colorado Boulevard to kick off 2011 with style, pomp, bands, horses, and those amazing floral floats.

I love this annual event. I have participated every year for the past decade helping decorate and build the award winning float from the City of Cerritos. But this year, due to the economic situation (and yes even politics) the City of Cerritos is not participating in this annual flower festival. Just like past years, I will be covering every part of this year’s Rose Parade. Yep. Your one stop shop. All the parade participants, the bands, the behind the scenes news, and will also be posting who wins what award the morning of the big parade.

The 2011 Tournament of Roses Parade will take place on Saturday, January 1, 2011 beginning at 8:00 a.m. (PST). Ultra cool kitchen gal Paula Deen will be serving as Grand Marshall.

There is a Visitor Hotline at (877) 793-9911, and a Visitors' Info line, at (626) 449-ROSE; or you can contact the Tournament of Roses office at (626) 449-4100.

City of Cerritos will be a "no show" on Colorado Boulevard on 2011.

The 122nd Rose Parade will be broadcast on ABC, Hallmark Channel, HGTV, KTLA (Tribune), NBC, RFD-TV and Univision. The best coverage is ALWAYS KTLA here in Southern California. Yep. Sorry guys but New Year’s morning would NOT be the same without Bob Eubanks and Stephanie Edwards take on the annual festival on KTLA, Channel 5.

So, here is my guide to the 2011 Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade. Starting with the floral floats, followed by the Marching Bands and then the Equestrian Units.

Who wants to be the Queen of Pasadena for a day....? The diary of Royalty in the making...

2011 Tournament of Roses Floats:

City of Alhambra
Alzheimer's Association& Pfizer
American Honda
Anheuser-Busch, Inc.
Bayer Advanced
Beverly Hills Tournament of Roses Committee
Burbank Tournament of Roses Association

Rob DaGasta's 2011 Rose Parade Float Concept for the City of Burbank

Cal Poly University, Pomona & San Luis Obispo
China Airlines
Cunard Line
Dick Van Patten's Natural Balance Pet Food, Inc.
Discover Financial Services
Dole
Donate Life
Downey Rose Float Association
City Duarte/City of Hope
Farmers Insurance
City of Glendale
HGTV
Kaiser Permanente
Kiwanis International
La Canada Flintridge Tournament of Roses Association
Lions Clubs
City of Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles Count Fireman's Benefit & Welfare Association, Never Forget 9/11
Lutheran Laymen's League
Macy's Queen's Float
Messina Wildlife Management
NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc.
Odd Fellows & Rebekahs
The Quikrete Companies
RFD-TV
The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation
Rose Bowl Game presented by VIZIO, participating university (University of Wisconsin)
Rose Bowl Game presented by VIZIO, participating university (Texas Christian Unversity)
Rotary International
Saving America's Mustangs
Shriners Hospitals for Children
Sierra Madre Rose Float Association
City of South Pasadena
City of Torrance
Trader Joe's

UNO®

The Donate Life Float is always "bigger than life." Raw footage of this remarkable entry....

US Bank
West Covina Rose Float Foundation
Western Asset

2011 Tournament of Roses Bands
(Clip: Western Carolina University: The LONG ROAD to PASADENA!)

Albertville High School - Albertville, AL
All Birdville High Schools representing Birdville, Haltom and Richland High Schools of North Richland Hills, TX
Banda Musical Delfines - Xalapa, Veracruz (Mexico)
Cal Fire Pipes and Drums - Sacramento, CA
The Pipes & Drums of CA Prof. Firefighters - Sacramento, CA
Central Carroll High School - Carrollton, GA
Downingtown High School East and West Campus - Downingtown, PA
Lindbergh High School - St. Louis, MO
Londonderry High School - Londonderry, NH
Los Angeles Unified School District All District Honor Band – Los Angeles, CA
North Carolina Central University - Durham, NC
North Japan Honor Green Band - Japan
Owasso High School - Owasso, OK
Pasadena City College Honor Band & Herald Trumpets – Pasadena, CA
Salvation Army Tournament of Roses Band
Southwest Dekalb High School - Decatur, GA
United States Marines Corps West Coast Composite Band
Upland High School - Upland, CA
Western Carolina University - Cullowhee, NC
Wyoming All State - WY
Texas Christian University Marching Band
University of Wisconsin Marching Band