Pasadena, Calif. – This time, it was the chance for the rest of the country to gloat. It rained on the normally sun- drenched Tournament of Roses Parade on Monday. Actually, it poured.
For the first time since 1955, the annual flower-filled parade got sodden as a winter storm off the Pacific brought torrential rain and high winds to Southern California. The parade was started in the 19th century by local boosters showing off this normally balmy corner of the country as a way of thumbing their suntanned noses at those in the cold Midwest and Northeast.
Nothing to brag about this year.
The parade – normally held on New Year’s Day, a Sunday this year – was staged on Monday under an old rule negotiated with Pasadena churches when the parade began, because religious leaders worried that the noise of the parade would frighten horses that pulled the wagons that brought worshipers to church.
The National Weather Service even issued a flash-flood warning for Los Angeles County that scrolled across television screens as viewers saw high winds and horizontal rain rip petals and seeds from the floats.
Instead of sun visors, the crowd of several thousand onlookers wore a mishmash of rain gear; some women wore hats covered with artificial flowers. Southern Californians, unused to chill, were outfitted with gloves, ski hats and parkas to guard against the parade- time temperature that hovered around what for them was a bone-chilling 55 degrees.
This was the 117th Tournament of Roses Parade. The grand marshal was retiring Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, who rode, snug and dry, in an antique automobile with members of her family.
The Rose Bowl, normally played on New Year’s Day, will be held Wednesday, because it is the national championship game between the University of Southern California Trojans and the University of Texas Longhorns.
Most members of the USC band wore sunglasses despite the downpour. Meanwhile, the Texas band was wrapped up against the chill. The Texas majorettes wore sweat suits as well as rain slickers.
