Getting a Preview of Budding Rose Parade at Fiesta Floats

At Fiesta Floats in Temple City (9362 Lower Azusa Road, (818) 442-3990), families can get a preview of the Tournament of Roses Parade by watching workers put the finishing touches on 14 floats-in-the-making, including entries from Kodak, Lawry’s Foods and First Interstate Bank. With Fiesta’s track record of winning most of the parade prizes every year, these floats promise to be both exotic and ambitious.

Visitors can walk around the work area, getting as close as 10 feet, as well as viewing them from above on a walkway. Staff members are stationed at each float to explain the intricacies of the entry and name all the flowers and greenery involved. Viewing hours are today from 1 to 10 p.m., Sunday, Monday and Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. The tour takes 30 to 40 minutes. Weekend viewing is suggested because peak crowds next week will probably cause a wait of 45 minutes to one hour. The cost is $1 per person.

There’s free viewing of more floats starting Sunday and running through Wednesday at two Pasadena locations: the Rose Pavilion at 70 Seco St., and the Rose Palace at 835 S. Raymond. Hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

To see how the floats survive their day in the sun, post-parade viewing takes place in east Pasadena on Friday and next Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Floats will be parked along Washington Boulevard between Sierra Madre Boulevard and Woodlyn and along Sierra Madre Boulevard between Sierra Madre Villa and La Paloma. There will be a special time for handicapped viewing both days from 8 to 9 a.m.