December 2007
Over 500 children, joined by parents, decorated bicycles, scooters, strollers, wagons and kid-sized pink Barbie Corvettes with flowers, streamers and other craft supplies Saturday morning to ride down South Lake Avenue for the 20th Annual Kidspace Rosebud Parade.
“It’s become a Pasadena tradition for us,” said Pasadena resident Simon Bluestone. “We moved here a couple years ago and discovered the parade and it’s a wonderful part of the culture in Pasadena. I think (my kids) are having a wonderful time.”
Kidspace Children’s Museum started the parade, which is its largest off-site event every year.
“We want there to be a family version of everything. Not a lot of kids participate in the Tournament of Roses Parade but this is an outlet for them where they can really show their creativity,” said Kidspace store and events manager Susan Cardosi-Albert.
Like the Tournament of Roses Parade, the Rosebud Parade has a court and a king and queen, but they are chosen through a raffle and crowned and designated a special place in the parade.
Playhouse Disney characters Winnie the Pooh, Tigger and a new character Darby from the cartoon show “My Friends Tigger and Pooh” were the grand marshals of the parade, which Disney helped sponsor.
In addition to children and parents, groups like the Washington Elementary Girl Scout troop and Ballet Folklorico Mexica participated and the over 20 members of the John Muir Alumni Drum Corps played passionately throughout the event and brought it to a booming close in the parking lot where the decorating began.
The most common vehicle adornments, which participants paid $10 in advance or $15 onsite to use, were flowers donated by Trader Joe’s and fresh flowers and streamers provided by Kidspace.
Some people brought their own flowers, ribbon, and decorations, like fabric butterflies.
“I have ideas for next year,” said Glendale area resident Vilma Couch.
Her daughter, Caitlyn, a first-time participant, liked the roses most and wore a gold paper crown while riding her bike she and her mother decorated with carnations.
“We definitely encourage dressing up,” said Cardosi-Albert. “We want to make it feel like a holiday for the kids and make them remember that they’re really important.”
The parade and Kidspace were formerly located on El Molino, Cardosi-Albert believes, before moving to the current Lake Avenue route near the North Arroyo Blvd. Kidspace Museum.
“Maybe next year we’ll have a cause to raise awareness for,” said Kip Weeks, whose three-and-a-half-year-old son, Jack, was riding his mother’s 30-year-old tricycle. “I’m sure a cause could use this many people to support it in some way.”
Rain was expected on the day of the Rosebud Parade, which happens rain or shine, but it was a rain-free event.
“I think a lot of people were afraid (of rain) and didn’t pre-register,” said Cardosi-Albert. “It’s easiest if you pre-register so we didn’t get as many walk-ups as we usually do because people were nervous about the rain.”
The main differences in the parade each year are the grand marshals and any changes Kidspace makes to the parade route to figure out what works best.
