Pasadena Tournament of Roses Marks Its Centennial Festival

Having been born and raised in Pasadena starting in 1914, I feel I have a right to complain about the commercialization of so many of the floats in the “modern day” Tournament of Roses parade. The parade was originally conceived as a happy and joyful celebration of the coming of the new year; not as a money-making advertising media for corporations. It is both derading and debasing to the original concept for these companies to compete for the biggest, the tallest and the most gaudy float.

Somewhere along the line the Tournament of Roses committee has lost sight of the original concept--the personally decorated carriages, automobiles, and horses. My mother would spend days putting together a wreath and other decorations for dad’s horse which he proudly rode to celebrate the New Year.

WALTER M. DOTY

San Dimas