Family Tradition Marches in Parade

It was 70 years ago that Velma Jones, now 87, marched down Colorado Boulevard, piccolo in hand, as a performer in the Rose Parade. Today, two of her great-granddaughters will continue her legacy as performers with the Thousand Oaks Lancer Band and Color Guard in the 110th Tournament of Roses parade.

Times have changed.

Jones, the first woman musician to play in the parade, performed with the Pasadena High School marching band in 1928 and 1929.

For Jones, who now lives in San Dimas, it’s hard to remember the details of her performance.

“Its been so long ago. I really don’t remember too much about it, but I remember I did have a lot of fun.” she said.

Jones and her husband, Raymond, were married in 1929. The couple have three children, seven grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren. In the 1940s, while she lived in Pasadena, not far from the parade route, Jones used to camp out all night to get a good seat.

Today, among the 1 million expected to attend the parade, Jones will have the best seat--in the grandstand. She will be there with four generations of her family watching a fifth generation--Erica Anderson, a 16-year-old junior, on flute, and Alyssa Anderson, a 14-year-old freshman, on the cymbals. The two will participate with the rest of the 240-member Thousand Oaks band.

“Just to know that they are both going to be there, and that’s something I did, I’m thrilled. It’s going to be exciting,” Jones said.