Last Day to Enjoy “Decorating Places,” Showcasing Hard-Working Volunteers Preparing Spectacular Rose Parade Floats

Visitors coming early to Pasadena for the New Year’s Day Tournament of Roses can choose from among at least seven locations in the City and surrounding areas to view floats for the 2019 Rose Parade as they are in the final stages of preparation.

One of the major pre-parade events that attract thousands of viewers every year is Decorating Places, which for the fourth year in a row is being presented by Giti Tire, also the official tire sponsor of the 130th Rose Parade.

Through Monday, December 31, these decorating areas are open for visitors who’d like to watch hundreds of hard-working volunteers helping in the preparation work – decorating the floats with a variety of seeds, bark, fruits and vegetables, grass, and of course, flowers, under the guidance of experienced professionals.

Some of these places also welcome walk-in volunteers, although so many of the volunteers have started working on the floats weeks before December that work is not always guaranteed.

Volunteers must be at least 13 years old to participate and all children must be accompanied by an adult. Opportunities are on a first-come, first-served basis. Groups are advised to phone ahead to see if arrangements are possible.  In most cases, a four-hour volunteer commitment would be required.

Giti Tire is sponsoring the main decorating event at the Rosemont Pavilion at 700 Seco Street in Pasadena, which will be open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday through Monday. Tickets for this viewing area are $15. To purchase tickets, go to https://tinyurl.com/y8lb524w .

The different float makers also offer viewing opportunities at other locations in and around Pasadena.

Phoenix Decorating Company, aside from the Rosemont Pavilion, has another float decorating area at the Rose Palace at 835 South Raymond Avenue. Artistic Entertainment Services welcomes visitors to their decorating area at 120 N. Aspan Avenue in Azusa, and groups of more than 20 people are advised to call (626) 334-9388.

The Burbank Tournament of Roses are decorating their float at 123 W. Olive Avenue in Burbank, while the Sierra Madre Float Association are decorating theirs at 587 E. Sierra Madre Blvd. in Sierra Madre.

The South Pasadena Tournament of Roses are decorating at Fair Oaks Avenue, north of the 110 Arroyo Parkway Freeway, while the La Canada Flintridge Tournament of Roses Association are decorating at 4510 Hampton Road in La Canada.

At the Rosemont Pavilion, parking is free and available on a first-come, first-served basis in various parking lots near the site and Jackie Robinson Baseball Field. These parking lots are shared with other establishments within the Arroyo Seco Park area.

For more detailed transport information, visit www.socaltransport.org.

Decorating Places is also offering guided tours daily from Friday through Sunday, December 28 through 30, with tours in Mandarin and Spanish as well. Translated tours may be limited, so please contact the Tournament of Roses at info@tournamentofroses.com to reserve your guided tour.