The theme for Tuesdays Rose Parade is The Melody of Life which celebrates music, the universal language. There will be 40 colorful floats in the 130th parade.
Typical L.A. traffic[hhmc]
Floats usually take about 2½ hours to travel the 5.2-mile parade route.
Factoids[hhmc]
On the air: KTLA televised the parade for the first time in 1947. It will be watched by an estimated 54 million Americans and 25 million international viewers Tuesday.
Grand marshal: Singer, songwriter, and philanthropist Chaka Khan
Viewing: If you simply want to watch float decorators at work, try these locations:
Rosemont Pavilion: 700 Seco St., Pasadena. Hours: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday and 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Monday.
Tickets: $15 through Sharp Seating.
Information: 626-795-4171, www.sharpseating.com
Sneak peek: Get an early look at the floats as they are moved Monday from the construction/decorating sites via Fair Oaks Avenue, Del Mar Boulevard and other routes to the parade staging area on Orange Grove Boulevard.
Access to that area, on Orange Grove between Del Rosa Drive and Colorado Boulevard, is allowed until Monday at 3 a.m., after which only grandstand ticketholders can remain.
Parade policies[hhmc]
Allowed: Overnight camping Monday night.
Those under 18 from 10 p.m.-5 a.m. if supervised by an adult.
Small, professionally manufactured barbecues elevated at least 1 foot off the ground as long as they remain 25 feet from buildings and other combustibles. (Owners also must have a fire extinguisher on hand.)
Coolers on the sidewalks but not in the grandstands.
Not allowed: Weapons, sticks, poles, drones, glass bottles and items that may cause injury or interfere with the parade or other spectators.
Throwing items, including marshmallows and tortillas.
Vehicles obstructing emergency lanes, which will be towed.
Food or merchandise for sale along the route without a permit.
Smoking along the route.
Information: Pasadena Convention & Visitors Bureau, www.visitpasadena.com, 877-793-9911
Time to build[hhmc]
It is estimated that the average float takes 60 volunteers working full time more than 10 days to complete.
Highest scores[hhmc]
90 percent of the float must be decorated with natural materials. Points are deducted for undecorated portions.
Flower power[hhmc]
Most floats are more than 90 percent covered with natural materials such as grass, herbs, spices, seeds, leaves, and flowers.
The first Tournament of Roses was held by the Valley Hunt Club in 1890. It was inspired by a carnival in Nice, France, and created to showcase Pasadenas climate to the rest of the world.
In the 1890s Pasadena was home to a hunt club that used dogs and horses to chase animals as well as play polo. The first tournament featured events, races and a polo match played on burros. Football was not added until 1902 and was not a regular event until 100 years ago.
Viewing the parade[hhmc]
About 70,000 grandstand seats are available along much of the parade route and may be reserved through family-owned Sharp Seating. Prices are $55-$100. www.sharpseating.com
Attendees can claim a spot on the sidewalk starting at noon Monday. Chairs, blankets, and other belongings must remain on the curb until 11 p.m. Thats when spectators can move into the street, but they must remain behind the blue honor line.
Along the route[hhmc]
Unless you spend the night or arrive during the early morning, you will find the sidewalks near the start of the route packed with spectators when the parade steps off at 8 a.m.
If you want to hit the snooze button a time or three, you can go farther east on Colorado Boulevard or along Sierra Madre Boulevard, where it will be less congested. Its possible to arrive shortly after 9 a.m. and still catch the first floats when they are expected to reach Colorado and Allen Avenue.
[contf] [contfnew] 
daily news
[contfnewc] [contfnewc]
