Meet the Colorado Boulevard Campers

Campers lined the streets, fires blazed and cotton candy vendors sold their wares. The annual tradition of camping out before the Rose Parade filled the streets with music, excitement and campfires. These passionate parade fans bring everything from air mattresses to portable cooktops as they wait for the parade to pass. This year there were many first time campers eager to see the floats up close without paying for grandstand seats.

Gina and her group of friends brought an inflatable couch and hot plate to make carne asada and chicken. “We just decided to get a group together,” she said. This will be her first time camping out for the parade.

Leanne and her husband had seen the parade previously but this was their first time camping and they came in style – with an air mattress and USC pride. Leanne says she also helped decorate the Ragu float at Paradiso this year.

“This has been on my bucket list for a long time,” said Melissa. She and her family scouted their camping location last night and came prepared with an air mattress, card games and cooler.