The Rose Parade and the week long series of events that precede it, are steeped in tradition and pageantry. Last year, 80 million people (including 55 million Americans) from 115 countries and territories worldwide watched the Rose Parade on television and streaming online. Three-quarters of a million people are expected to line the parade route along Colorado Boulevard this year. The backdrop of the parade, as it is every year, will be the beautiful San Gabriel Mountains of the Angeles National Forest.
In 1897, the first Forest Rangers in California rode out of Pasadena into the (then) San Gabriel Timberland Reserve. On January 1, an entourage of Forest Service Rangers in period uniforms and anchored by three traditional mule pack strings, will emerge from the forest and step onto Colorado Boulevard, representing all 35,000 employees and the thousands of volunteers who care for our national forests. The mule pack strings will be expertly guided by Region 5 packers Michael Morse, Lee Roeser and Ken Graves, who have an average of 37 years of experience in the saddle. As the centerpiece of our entry, Regional Forester Randy Moore will be joined in a vintage wagon by Chief Tom Tidwell, a national wilderness volunteer award winner and, of course, Smokey Bear. A crew of U.S. Forest Service wild land firefighters will also hike in the parade alongside the wagon and pack trains. A traditional color guard will lead the way.
The Rose Parade is a special event and we believe our entry is something for which all Forest Service employees can be very proud. It represents the culmination of many months of hard work and planning by the Region 5 Packers and many other employees and volunteers. In fact, there are currently employees from nine forests, the Regional Office (Public Services, FAM & PAC) and the Washington Office that are involved. Our entry is a celebration of many things. Key themes include the Wilderness 50th celebration, the historic role of packers in supporting wild land fire and other Wilderness operations and appreciation of our outstanding volunteers. More details on this in Update #2.
The Tournament of Roses (TOR) includes many associated events leading up to the parade and Rose Bowl game. One of these is the “Equestfest” which we’ll be participating in on December 29 at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center. This lively exhibition provides the audience an up-close view of each of the equestrian entries in the parade. For more information on the Equestfest and a complete list of TOR events and times, visit: www.tournamentofroses.com.
Interested in volunteering to support the Forest Service Rose Parade entry? Please contact Michael Morse by December 5th at 760-924-5511. This would be for work from December 27-31st.