Rose Parade souvenir program - 1954

January 1, 1954 - sixty-five years ago - marked the first time the Rose Parade was televised in color. Those lucky enough to have access to a color TV in 1954 were able to see if the colors and sunny California skies lived up to their imaginations. The Rose Parade had been a nationally televised New Year's Day event for six previous years and was quickly becoming the world-wide event it is today. No longer would the old black-and-white imagery suffice. Color was the future.

Three-quarters of a million people pack the streets to view this 5 1/2 mile (8.9 km) trek through Pasadena and an estimated 70 million more watch on television worldwide. All television coverage is from the beginning of the parade where entrants turn onto Colorado Boulevard. I've always thought it would be interesting television to have cameras set again five miles later as the parade turns off Colorado onto Sierra Madre and heads for the parking lot. It is there where see the faded smiles, sore wrists, and blistered feet; where you can count which floats have stopped working, are smoking, or being pulled by tow trucks. What's a parade without drama?

Anyway, I want to take up a little space to wish all the participants here at CW a very happy New Year. Grateful thanks to all those who have helped answer my questions and to those who have listened to my opinions. May you all find exciting additions to your respective collections in the coming year.