"Tournament Provides Life's Shining Moments"By Judy O'Sullivan
In Pasadena, California, you see "white suitors" everywhere this time of year. They drive white or green cars and vans with special Tournament of Roses license plates.
One could almost think these men and women work for, if not Santa Claus of the frozen north, at least Frosty the Snowman. Yes, the white suits and the white cars represent the antithesis of snow. It's a way to remind those shoveling the cold stuff in parts east that sunny Southern California prepares big time for an outdoor celebration, usually under skies the color of good sapphires. In case you couldn't guess we're talking the internationally acclaimed Rose Parade and Rose Bowl Game.
The Tournament of Roses Association has been around since 1895. The founding fathers belonged to the Valley Hunt Club. The Club's still going strong on South Orange Grove Blvd. Members no longer hunt foxes and hares in the Arroyo Seco--once several of them cornered a coyote in the post office. The Valley Hunt Club was the group responsible for instigating the first New Year's Day celebration in the Crown City.
It was touted as a "fete" or "fiesta." And was no more-no less than your usual social register kind of elaborate picnic. Followed by competitive games for the children, festive in starched frocks and fashionable short pants, and a jousting contest on horseback for the adults. Pasadena's social set decorated their horses and buggies with garden flowers and paraded over to Sportsman Park where the event took place.
Today, a volunteer force of some 935 men and women work 65,000 hours collectively to produce the Rose Parade and Rose Bowl Game each year. Eligibility is limited to those who live or work within a 15-mile radius of Pasadena's City Hall. There is never a shortage of applicants for the 31 prestigious committees whose membership is limited for practical reasons. About 40 to 50 new members are allowed in each year as spaces open through normal attrition-- illness or death, moving out of the area.
The Executive Committee makes policy. This governing body includes the immediate past president, president, vice president, treasurer, secretary and four others. Only one new member is chosen each year--he or she must have loyally devoted 20 years to the association with a dedication above and beyond the call of duty. The president this year, William Johnstone, Jr., typifies the exceptionally well-qualified spokesperson for the association. Johnstone travels 50,000 miles as a goodwill ambassador on speaking engagements. He rvisits participants in the parade in American and European cities. His duties also include selecting the annual theme. For 1997 it is: Life's Shining Moments. He selects the grand marshal as well. This year there will be two, both Olympic gold medalists: Carl Lewis, track; Shannon Miller, gymnast.
A nonprofit organization, the association compensates the City of Pasadena for use of
the Rose Bowl stadium and for all costs incurred for police, sanitation and other
municipal services. It also donates millions of dollars to the PAC-10 and Big Ten
conferences. We're talking big bucks. The 21 universities in the conferences
receive about $500,000 each. Remaining moneys are divided equally between the
association and the city.
Sounds like big business. But it's still a labor of love for the dedicated volunteers. So, if you find a white-suitor staffing barricades, smile and offer a thumbs up. He or she deserves it. Without their efforts it would be a bleak New Year's Day even without snow.