Revel in the Rose Parade 2023 Recap By Photographer Kate McKena
A great way to start the new year is an early morning peek of the floats as they are lining up for the Rose Parade.
Several running groups participate in what has been called the “Bandit Run”, starting out at 5:00 am to run the 5+ mile parade route up Colorado Boulevard and experience the floats, almost close enough to touch, as they are preparing for the start of the parade.
This year is celebrated on Monday, which continues the tradition since 1893 to accommodate church services and also at that time to not scare the horses that were waiting patiently outside.
This year’s theme celebrates “Turning a Corner”, with the potential that the new year brings, the opportunity for a fresh start, and to share in hope, beauty and joy.
I’d like to share some of the fabulous floats with you, starting with one of my favorites, Donate Life’s “Lifting Each Other Up”. And offering congratulations to them for the Sweepstakes Award for most beautiful entry for float design, floral presentation and entertainment. The overall float is an Asia dragon that symbolizes power and strength. There are 44 “floragraphs” made of seeds the represent people who have given the gift of life to others. Participating in the parade are recipients whose lives have “turned the corner” to a better future.
We saw a lot of nature and wildlife. Cal Poly University’s “Road to Reclamation” shows a close-up look at some of the smaller varieties in nature, such as mushrooms, snails & ladybugs, reminding us to take a deeper look at nature all around us. The San Diego Zoo Safari Wildlife Alliance, celebrating 50 years of conservation, shows the other end of the spectrum with much larger species, giraffes and rhinos, and those dedicated to conservation, the wildlife care specialists, veterinarians, and scientists. Welcome to the Jungle by Western Asset also depicts the abundance of life and coexistence in harmony in the rain forest, with several ocelots, a toucan and a macaw. And Trader Joe’s shows another type of wildlife on a motorcycle with a sack full of groceries ;o)
We also saw floats representing community and service. Kaiser Permanente’s theme “All of us for all of you” is a beautiful scene with a bridge, walkway, and gardens. What you don’t see in this photo are the participants that represent the healthcare providers and the members, such as a nurse, a mother with her newborn, and a cancer survivor getting back on their bike. At the end of the float is a large heart made of 20,000 red carnations. Kiwanis “Catching the Wave of Service” shows a bear surfing in international board shorts, with their mission to improve the lives of people everywhere. And “There’s No Place Like Home” by the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, is focusing on “turning the corner” in reducing homelessness.
A bit on the lighter side…. The City of Hope’s “Expanding Hope” shows joyful optimism. The branches of a large tree form a heart, with a teddy bear on a swing in the center and butterflies and birds on top of the leaves. “Secondhand Shenanigans” by La Canada Flintridge, show some playful raccoons finding fun treasures at a neighbor’s yard sale. And “Spark of Imagination” by the City of South Pasadena is a playful science fair with mice as the participants.
There were many more floats, along with many bands, and many horses! I’d like to wrap up the Budweiser Clydesdales and the Dalmatian mascot proudly riding atop the carriage. I hope you enjoyed the photos. Here’s a toast to “Turning the Corner” in 2023! Happy New Year!
Bio….
Kate is originally from the east coast, but always felt like home was California as far back as she can remember, long before even visiting. She has always surmised that the stork dropped her on the wrong coast, and she was only visiting the east coast most of her life. She moved to California in 2007 and lives with her two puglets, Puddin' and Pippin', on her boat in Cabrillo Marina. Though she has dabbled with photography on and off for most of her life, from black & white darkroom developing to 3D photography with a Kodak Stereo camera, she renewed her interest in photography with the additional home time over the last two years.
