Tomorrow (a.k.a. Tuesday, January 1, 2019) marks the 130th Tournament of Roses parade, and much has changed since members of Pasadena's Valley Hunt Club kicked off the very first floral-filled fête in 1890. Originally created to showcase California's not-so-wintery weather, the legendary New Year's Day tradition has transformed from a procession of horse-drawn carriages (complete with a tug-of-war game and polo races) that attracted 3,000 attendees into a Honda-sponsored parade and college football game at Rose Bowl Stadium that draws an estimated 700,000 spectators.
Set to kick off at 8 a.m., the parade spans five-and-a-half miles on Colorado Boulevard and will feature 40 floats, marching bands, equestrian showcases, and more entertainment from local and national organizations and universities. Iconic funk singer/songwriter and philanthropist Chaka Khan will lead as the grand marshal of 2019's parade, which boasts the theme, "The Melody of Life."
Ahead of the grand festivities, we dug through the Los Angeles Public Library's digital photo archives to travel back in time through Rose Parades of decades past, starting with the year 1897. Take a blast through LA's past (well, at least up until 1980) and scroll through the gallery below, then head over to the Tournament of Roses' website for the full list of TV channels broadcasting the event here and find out how to see the larger-than-life flower floats in person here.
Tournament of Roses Parade float from 1897.
Tournament of Roses Parade float from 1897.
1902 Rose Parade
The Rose Parade in 1902, when “there was nothing spectacular about the parade then, and the spectators were few.” This marked the first year of the Rose Bowl game.
1902_Tournament_of_Roses_Parade_carriages
A carriage in the 1902 Tournament of Roses parade.
1905_Rose_Parade_float
The 1905 Rose Parade.
Altadenas_entry_in_Rose_parade
The city of Altadena's zeppelin float in the 1908 Tournament of Roses parade.
1930_Tournament_of_Roses_view_1
Rose Parade queens of 1930.
1930_Tournament_of_Roses_view_14
Tournament of Roses float from 1930.
00060462-1932-rose-queen-holly-halstead-court-pasadena-city-hall
Rose Queen Holly Halstead with her royal court in 1930 at Pasadena City Hall.
00061049Venice1932
Venice's float in the Tournament of Roses parade in 1932.
00066024 Rose Bowl ParkingLot
The Rose Bowl parking lot on January 1, 1938 during the Tournament of Roses football game between the California Golden Bears (which won the game) and the Alabama Crimson Tide.
Challenge_Trophy_Pasadena_Light_and_Power_float_1938_Rose_Parade
The Pasadena Light and Power's "Land of Fantasy" float (seen here on January 1,1938) featuring "an old world cottage won the Pasadena Challenge Trophy."
Burbank_float_1938_Rose_Parade
Burbank's float in the 1938 Rose Parade.
Actress_Shirley_Temple_Rose_Parade_grand_marshal
Actress Shirley Temple was the Rose Parade grand marshal in 1939; according to the Herald Examiner, it was "the first time in the 50-year history of the fete that a child has led the parade. She chose to wear a white cloth coat with ermine muff [and] carried a bouquet of roses."
Gays_Lion_Farm_float_at_the_1939_Rose_Parade
Gay's Lion Farm float at the 1939 Rose Parade.
Baton_twirling_at_the_1939_Rose_Parade
Baton twirlers at the 1939 Rose Parade.
Lake_and_Colorado_after_the_1938_Rose_Parade
Lake Avenue and Colorado Boulevard after the 1939 Rose Parade.
Standard_Oil_float
Standard Oil's float during the 1947 Tournament of Roses Parade.
Rose_Parade_Queen_view_2
A Rose Queen in an undated photo.
Rose_Parade_Queen_51st_Annual_Tournament_of_Roses_1940
Rose Parade Queen Margaret Huntley and her royal court during the 51st annual Tournament of Roses parade in 1940.
Coronation_of_Rose_Queen_1951
Coronation of Rose Queen Eleanor Payne in 1951.
1979-Julies_floating__shes_the_queen_of_the_Rose_Parade
1980 Rose Parade queen Julie Raatz at her coronation in 1979.
1947 tournament of roses parade float
The 1947 Tournament of Roses Parade.
1962 tournament of roses parade memorable moments
According to the caption from this photo dated November 15, 1962, "Stanley L. Hahn, tournament president, drives a 1904 tiller auto through a floral frame to symbolize theme. Scrolls identifying setting are held by Carol Bond and Diana Whittaker, right."
