California
Rose Parade®: A Heritage to Celebrate
Program No. 10515RJ
Celebrate New Year’s Day at the Rose Parade® in Pasadena, learning about the parade’s history, watching award-winning bands and helping decorate a signature Rose Parade® float.
Program
At a Glance
Duration
6 days
Program Begins
Los Angeles/Pasadena Area
Program Concludes
Los Angeles/Pasadena Area
Meals
13 (
5B, 3L, 5D
)
Activity Level
Welcome the new year by attending the annual Rose Parade®. It's the dazzling explosion of color, creativity and tradition that kicks off the New Year with a bang. It’s the flower-covered floats like moving masterpieces, bands marching to lively tunes and the palpable, infectious excitement of the crowd. It's the blend of nostalgia and spectacle, where every bloom tells a story, and every step feels like a celebration. The Rose Parade® in Pasadena, California, isn’t just a parade — it's a communal experience that brings people together.
Best of all, you'll...
- Learn the fascinating history of the parade from a Tournament of Roses® insider, and hear from a past Rose Queen about her reign.
- Attend Bandfest to watch the performances and shows.
- Become a part of the spectacle as you help decorate one of the elaborate Rose Parade® floats, attend the parade itself and view floats up close after the parade.
General Notes
One of the most popular events, this event draws large crowds with about 1 million people viewing the parade in person each year. This is also a popular program for Road Scholar which makes it a large group program. The program enrolls up to 600 people divided between two hotels. Participants will be with the large group for most of the activities and lectures, participants will be divided into smaller groups for orientation and travel to activities. If you are interested in seeing the Rose Parade® in a smaller group, take a look "The Best of California: The Reagan Library to the Channel Islands" (#14491) that also begins on December 28.
Featured Expert
All Experts
Paul R. Spitzzeri
A California historian and author of numerous works on such topics as railroad development and regulation, overland emigration, and criminal justice, Paul R. Spitzzeri received his bachelor’s and master’s in history from California State University, Fullerton. He is Museum Director of the Workman and Temple Family Homestead Museum near Los Angeles and an Award of Merit recipient from the American Association for State and Local History for his biography of the Workman and Temple families.
Please Note:
This expert may not be available for every date of the program
Please Note:
These experts may not be available for every date of the program
Paul R. Spitzzeri
A California historian and author of numerous works on such topics as railroad development and regulation, overland emigration, and criminal justice, Paul R. Spitzzeri received his bachelor’s and master’s in history from California State University, Fullerton. He is Museum Director of the Workman and Temple Family Homestead Museum near Los Angeles and an Award of Merit recipient from the American Association for State and Local History for his biography of the Workman and Temple families.
Julie King
Julie Myers King, the 1988 Tournament of Roses® Queen, is currently is a marketing and client services specialist for the financial planning firm Hesen & Haslam. A graduate of UCLA, King is a member of UCLA Gold Shield Alumnae, and served as president of the UCLA Parents' Council Emeriti. She is active with the Boy Scouts and is proud to be the mother of three Eagle Scouts. She also has a passion for music and plays the French horn.
Donna Granata
Donna Granata is the founder and executive director of Focus on the Masters (FOTM), a highly respected nonprofit archive and educational program documenting contemporary artists. An accomplished artist in her own right, Granata is an internationally published portrait photographer. Her photographs have been displayed across the United States. Selected works from her FOTM portrait series are housed in the Smithsonian's Archive of American Artists; in the photographic collection of the George Eastman Museum and other public institutions housing the personal archives of the artists documented.
Kris Springer
Kris Springer was born in Wisconsin, attended high school in Minnesota, and received her degree in communications from the University of Colorado in Boulder. Kris has gained great respect for the environment while working as a docent at Point San Luis Lighthouse and Central Coast Aquarium in Avila Beach, CA. When not working for Road Scholar, Kris works as a wine tour guide. She has been singing with the San Luis Obispo Vocal Arts Ensemble for nearly three decades.
Bob Vinatieri
Bob Vinatieri was introduced to travel at age two, riding in a TWA Super Constellation cockpit from Kansas City to Amarillo. Travel has been his vocation for over 40 years, and he has visited all 50 states, six continents, and over 50 countries. Bob enjoys leisurely walks along both mountain trails and urban cityscapes. Highlights on his programs include discussions of geology, climate transitions, and human histories. You can always find him with a camera, photographing wildflowers and the epic landscapes of the Pacific Wonderland.
Manuel Marquez
Manuel Márquez came to Road Scholar after a rewarding career in medical practice management. He has led groups to Cuba and his native Los Angeles. As an undergraduate in Boston, he was introduced close-up to the wonders of western art, the colonial and revolutionary history of the United States, and a love of learning about planet Earth and all its inhabitants. Manuel has explored nearly fifty countries on five continents. He enjoys music, reading, movies, and his beautiful cat, Pearl.
Barrie Simpson
After a long career in the technology, pharmaceutical, and hospitality industries, Barrie Simpson became a Road Scholar group leader. She was raised in New England; following high school, she made her way to Oregon, where she planted trees all over the West before going on to earn a degree in environmental engineering. Currently living in San Francisco, she is a historical group leader for SF City Guides, a waterbird docent on Alcatraz, and a long time member leader of the American Society of Quality (ASQ).
Karyn Benkendorfer
Karyn Benkendorfer is a native Californian who has a B.A. in communications arts – film and television from Loyola Marymount University. She is also a graduate of ITMI’s International tour management program. Karyn is a passionate storyteller, photographer, writer, and teacher. She is energized by engaging with people, sharing stories and experiences. On her daily walks, she logs 5-8 miles. She is an active volunteer with Opera League Los Angeles.
Activity Level
On Your Feet
Walking up to one mile per day, standing for several hours, climbing stairs and sitting on bleacher seats without backs. Bandfest, Rose Parade®, and Floatfest occur rain or shine, be prepared to enjoy these events in wet weather.
Suggested Books and Resources
View Full List
You can also find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
HAVE QUESTIONS?
Prefer to enroll or inquire by phone?
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Call
800-454-5768
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Peace of Mind
We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. That’s why we go to the ends of the earth to give you peace of mind, from the moment you enroll until the day you return home.
Assurance Plan
Road Scholar is committed to the well-being of every participant, whether on a program in the United States or abroad. That’s why all participants are covered under our Road Scholar Assurance Plan, which provides 24-hour assistance in the event of an emergency during your program, as well as insurance for emergency medical evacuation.
Want to Protect Your Investment?
Road Scholar is pleased to offer its Trip Protection Plan as a way to protect your program investment. You may purchase this optional trip protection plan when enrolling in your program.
Sustainable Travel
We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Read about our commitment to a more sustainable planet.
- Peace of Mind
We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. That’s why we go to the ends of the earth to give you peace of mind, from the moment you enroll until the day you return home.
- Assurance Plan
Road Scholar is committed to the well-being of every participant, whether on a program in the United States or abroad. That’s why all participants are covered under our Road Scholar Assurance Plan, which provides 24-hour assistance in the event of an emergency during your program, as well as insurance for emergency medical evacuation.
- Want to Protect Your Investment?
Road Scholar is pleased to offer its Trip Protection Plan as a way to protect your program investment. You may purchase this optional trip protection plan when enrolling in your program.
- Sustainable Travel
We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Read about our commitment to a more sustainable planet.