The Tournament of Roses Parade
From Muppet Wiki
The Tournament of Roses Parade is an annual parade held every New Year's Day (January 1st) in Pasadena, California since 1890. Beginning in 1923, the parade has been traditionally followed by the Rose Bowl college football game.
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1982
In 1982 the theme of the parade was "Friends and Neighbors". An elaborate float featuring Miss Piggy and Kermit the Frog was featured. Piggy was reclining on a chaise while Kermit, decked out in a top hat and bow tie, serenaded her on his banjo.
1996
On January 1, 1996, Kermit the Frog was the Grand Marshal for the 107th Tournament of Roses Parade. He became the first non-human to host the event solo. The parade also featured a float based on Muppet Treasure Island.
With a theme of "Kids' Laughter & Dreams" chosen that year, Steve Whitmire performed Kermit as he drove through the parade in the Grand Marshal's car. At MuppetFest in 2001, Whitmire said that day was the most difficult job he'd had with the Muppets; as he had to keep his arm up over his head for almost three hours.
The Treasure Island float featured Kermit, Fozzie Bear, Gonzo, Statler and Waldorf, all in their Treasure Island personas. The float itself won the Humor Award for the most comical and amusing entry. The float itself was sponsored by Kodak.
2004
In 2004, the theme was "Music, Music, Music". NAMM, The Int'l Music Products Assoc. sponsored a Sesame Street float. The design was a toy school bus, with two pull toy wagons following it. Elmo playing a drum rode in the bus, while Big Bird (playing a trumpet), and Abelardo (from Plaza Sésamo) played the guitar in the second wagon. Riding on the float were many walk-around characters, including Zoe and Cookie Monster. Human cast members also appeared, including Bob and Gordon.
Big Bird was made of individual feathers cut from pampas grass and colored with yellow cut strawflower. Abelardo was decorated with golden Juniper tips, and Elmo featured red carnations, sweet rice and amaranthis seeds.
2005
The 2005 theme was "Celebrate Family". Once again NAMM sponsored a float titled "Music Makes Us a Family", featuring the Sesame Street characters. Big Bird is playing a piano, while Elmo is playing the drums and Oscar the Grouch is playing the Maracas.
The float won the Bob Hope Humor Trophy for most comical and amusing entry. Also appearing on the float were walk-around versions of Bert, Ernie, and Zoe.
2008
In 2008, the parade included a Sesame Street float sponsored by NAMM. It featured floral sculptures of Oscar shaking maracas, Elmo playing a drum, Big Bird, Count von Count standing with his arms wide open, a purple Muppet monster playing the flute (meant to look like Googly of Galli Galli Sim Sim), Halum the Bengal Tiger from Sisimpur, and Lola, a pink monster from Plaza Sésamo.
Photo Gallery
 1982 Rose Parade Program |
 2004 Sesame Street Float |
 2004 Sesame Street Float |
 2005 Sesame Street Float |
External links
- Tournament of Roses Parade
- Flickr photos of the float: Photo
