Camping Out for "Leap Year" Rose Parade
 

I've always wanted to camp out for a good seat at curbside for the Tournament of Roses Parade, but I never wanted to spend my New Year's Eve camping out for said seat at said parade.

So my plan was always to wait until the next time that New Year's Day falls on a Sunday ... to take advantage of the Tournament's prohibition on sabbath parading.


Well, that time is THIS YEAR. The Rose Parade will take place on January Second, 2006 - - and no sacrifice of New Year's Eve will be necessary for camping out on the cold, damp sidewalk (though, with the apocalyptic weather we've been having lately, perhaps the overnight temps will be balmy).


Anyone interested in lining up on New Year's Day Night for the bizarre January Two Rose Parade this year??

I did this about 20 years ago, and I'm still tired.

Mind you, the one sacrafice you may have to make is being conscious enough to get to Pasadena by 10AM on January 1. That's assuming things run the same, just a day later. That's the time we always showed up to get the prime spots. Although I'm guessing that with it shifted by a day, the crowds will be a little smaller, I wouldn't recommend getting there any later than noon.

This is very tempting...especially as it will mark the 10th anniversary of CP and I meeting at this very event...

Tempting indeed!

I warn you, :iSm:, one of the big reasons we camped out for this parade 5 years in a row was the New Year's Eve party on the streets. There was always a great spontaneous countdown and plenty of tomfoolery. It was tough to live on a cold sidewalk all day and night but the party helped make it worth it - although it also made it harder to get some sleep. I have no idea what kind of party atmosphere there will be the night AFTER New Years. It would be interesting to find out.

I'm a big maybe, because I am planning on having a NYE party and that always leads to lack of sleep, but who knows.

I used to camp out every NYE for the Rose Parade (then stagger home immediately after the parade, sometimes midway through the parade). The night before stuff has always been the best end of it. The last time the parade was on the second (which happens when January 1 falls on Sunday), we didn't bother, and heard from many habitual campers that the spirit just wasn't there.

Oh dear - I'm the sort of person that only ends up seeing the parade on TV, usually the second or third rerun of the day at that - Hmmmmm...

I did this years ago, it was hell I tell you pure hell. It was cold, crowded, loud, and the portable toilets ended up being just nasty!

I've also done the grandstand seats. While better than camping out, I'll still never go do the Rose Parade again.

It honestly looks SO much better on tv and you get to see the floats better too as when they are live they go whizzing by you much faster than I ever thought they would!

Just my $.02. But if ya go have fun! :)

iSm, what is it with you and camping in lines? God bless you, though. You saved us a truly fabulous spot for fireworks on the B-day!:snap::D:snap: