The 2008 Rose Parade
Posted on Jan 9th, 2008
by 
Jeff Mishlove
Jeff Mishlove
A week ago, I was in Pasadena where I had the pleasure of watching the 119th annual Rose Parade. One of my best friends, Lynne Morris, actually choreographed and directed the grand opening of the parade. Perhaps some of you watched it on television.
Lynne worked with an organization called Up With People. And, her large cast of dancers and singers included students from many different countries - wearing their native costumes. It was quite an extravaganza with flags and drums and even jets flying overhead. It all involved very precise timing. Her entire production lasted just three minutes.
I am attaching some photos to give you a sense of this joyous event. Here are some images of Lynne's grand opening festivities.
Just as the dancers finished and were clearing away their stage props, before the parade formally began, three jets flew overhead. I was lucky enough to get a nice photo of them:
One of the most interesting floats in the parade featured this giant image of an American Indian. Remember it is entirely covered with flowers, seeds and plants. It was probably about fifty feet tall -- as you can see by looking at the horses at the base:
I think the float that I found the most moving is the one shown below. It shows pictures (made entirely of seeds and beans, I think) of various organ donors. And, the people riding on the float were the organ recipients whose lives had been saved.
After the parade ended, crowds of people filled the streets (after all, there were a million spectators -- according to estimates that I read). Many of them were espousing causes of their own. These ranged from the religious -- as shown below --
to the left-leaning young people who proposed the impeachment of George W. Bush and high officials in his administration:
I Imagine that these images are ones that did not make the national television broadcast.
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March 2008
Thanks for sharing the colour Jeff.
I grew up in LA and it was a family tradition to go every year. It brings back the memories of waking up early, getting dressed, parents throwing us in the car so we could sleep along the way, so we'd get there early to stake out our stop on the parade route….thanks. Your friend did a phenomenal job, from the photos…must have been an amazing feat! Kudos to her! (Being a dancer and choreographer, I know what that takes.)