Pasadena Tournament of Roses and city officials united Thursday to wish 1940 Rose Queen Margaret Huntley Main well for her 100th birthday, and the Tournament President surprised her with the crown she wore in the parade more than eight decades ago.
2022 Tournament of Roses President Bob Miller and his wife, Barbara, traveled to the former Rose Queen’s current hometown in Auburn, California to celebrate the occasion.
“When I saw Margaret come out of the car this morning looking so absolutely beautiful and striking and queen-like, I was almost brought to tears,” Miller said. “This is one of the most significant moments in my Tournament career and it’s just so wonderful to have the opportunity to be here today with you.”
During the celebration, which was held via Zoom, Miller pointed out the crown that sat atop Huntley Main’s head.
“Queen Margaret is wearing her 1940 crown. Our great team at Tournament House was able to go into the archives and pull it out,” he said. “And I wanted to tell you that Queen Margaret was almost brought to tears when we brought that out.”
Mayor Victor Gordo also prepared a video statement to wish Huntley Main a happy birthday.
Huntley Main said she was touched by the outpouring of support.
“There are so many people to thank,” she said. “I have not forgotten one minute of the experience of being Rose Queen. It is an incomparable compliment and I have lived trying to deserve it.”
She recalled rounding a corner during the 1940 Rose Parade and seeing her father looking on.
“The driver stopped at the top of a hill for some reason. My father stood up and gave me a two-finger whistle and threw up his hat, and it was lost forever,” she said.
“And I sat there on the throne with Pasadena in front of me, and there was a wave that was so palpable… of anticipation, of love, of jubilation and everything like that. And I wanted to stand out and put up my arms and take off. That was probably the highest point,” Huntley Main said.
“The whole thing. It’s just a wonderful, wonderful memory,” she said. “And I’m blessed with a good memory, so I really haven’t forgotten very much.”
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2 thoughts on “Pasadena Celebrates 1940 Rose Queen’s Upcoming 100th Birthday”
As a Rose Princess in the ’60s I also remember the view of Pasadena from Colorado and Orange Grove. On that sparkling, cold and clear January 1st morning, it seemed all of Pasadena was spread out before us.
Both born in and continually lived in Pasadena