This year farmers are thanking teachers — or so it says on the Farmers Insurance float which has been built and decorated by the Phoenix Decorating company just a few blocks from my home. The Rose Palace barn that is home to the Farmers Insurance float is small as Rose Parade float barns go. There is one other float barn in Pasadena, down near the Rose Bowl. It’s larger.
Most of the Rose Parade floats are built and decorated at gigantic barns out in Irwindale. And tonight, around midnight, they will begin the 12 mile drive from Irwindale to Pasadena. Then overnight all of us locals get to hear the rumbling, diesel engines as the floats are parked on Orange Grove street, their motors still running, waiting for the start of the parade.
The interior of the Rose Palace barn is quite a tourist attraction. People were lined up today for a very very long block, waiting to be admitted to a tour inside the barn. Literally, there were hundreds and hundreds of people standing in line a line that is longer than I ever remember it being before. Perhaps they are willing to wait because it is so warm today–80 degrees Fahrenheit. To tempt the waiting throng, there were two official souvenir booths and some guys manning a grill, serving hamburgers and sausages, which looked delicious.
After the parade, most of the floats will be parked near Pasadena High School for a couple of days. That’s when I go to see them. Even though I live about six blocks from the parade route I never go to the parade. It’s too cold. I watch it on TV in my jammies.
NOTE: Sadly, this float barn has since closed.
