Getting ready for the Rose Parade

Jarod Gutierrez, 12, of Corona, prepares some sparkling cider while his mother, Susan, roasts marshmallows on Colorado Boulevard while camping out overnight. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

Dec. 30, 2013 5:33 PM PT

It’s a race to the finish as crews hurry to complete floats in time for Wednesday’s Rose Parade in Pasadena.

Giant floral baby heads mask the humans who animate them on the Kaiser Permanente float, “First Step to Total Health,” being readied at Fiesta Parade Floats in Irwindale. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

Volunteers work on the Cal Poly Universities float, “Bedtime Buccaneers,” being readied at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

Grooms Aubrey Loots, left, and Danny Leclair prepare for photos alongside the AIDS Healthcare Foundation float at Fiesta Parade Floats in Irwindale. The couple will be married on the float during the Rose Parade. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

Alex Mendoza, 22, practices alongside the city of Torrance float, “Everyone Plays,” being prepared at Fiesta Parade Floats in Irwindale. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

Nick Hellewell, a Cal Poly alumnus, works on the Cal Poly Universities float, “Bedtime Buccaneers,” being readied at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

Giant floral babies wave (Psst! There are real humans inside to animate them) from the Kaiser Permanente entry, “First Step to Total Health,” being readied at Fiesta Parade Floats in Irwindale. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

Volunteer Katie Dominguez fixes a damaged portion of a Rose Parade float being readied at Fiesta Parade Floats in Irwindale. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

A decked-out fan watches as last-minute preparations are made to the Cal Poly Universities float, “Bedtime Buccaneers,” at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

Olivia Moore affixes irises to the Cal Poly Universities float, titled “Bedtime Buccaneers.” (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

Volunteers work on flowers for the Donate Life “Light Up the World” float at Rosemont Pavilion. (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)

Bianca Cermeno, 14, prepares flowers for the city of Torrance’s float at Fiesta Parade Floats in Irwindale. (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)

Jacque Giuffre works on K9s 4 Cops float at Fiesta Parade Floats in Irwindale. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

Mildred Hood, left, and Tara Pleickhardt work on the SeaWorld float at Fiesta Parade Floats in Irwindale. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

Volunteer Dana Hill, 19, of Long Beach works on the eHarmony float “Everlasting Love” in Pasadena. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)

Volunteer Arlene Rodriguez, 46, of Los Angeles works on the Donate Life’s Rose Parade entry “Light Up the World.” (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)