Luther Burbank Rose Parade and Festival facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Luther Burbank Rose Parade and Festival |
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|---|---|
| Status | Active |
| Inaugurated | 1894 |
The Luther Burbank Rose Parade and Festival is a big celebration held every year in Santa Rosa, California. It honors the famous plant expert Luther Burbank. The festival, which happens on the third Saturday in May, is full of fun activities for everyone.
This is a non-profit event. That means money from grants, donations, and ticket fees is used to make the parade and festival happen each year. Every parade has a special theme, so there are always new and exciting floats and displays to see.
Contents
History of the Parade
How It All Began
The first parade took place way back in 1894. It was originally called the Rose Carnival. A man named Thomas Patrick Keegan had the idea to create a parade to show off the beautiful landscapes of Sonoma County. Many years later, his descendant, Brian Keegan, became president of the festival to continue his ancestor's dream.
In the early 1900s, the parade was a very fancy event. People would dress up in their best clothes to watch the amazing floats decorated with all kinds of flowers, not just roses. The parade was a huge deal, and visitors came from all over to see the beautiful celebration.
A Fresh Start
The parade stopped for many years during the World Wars. But in the 1950s, it was brought back to life and renamed to honor Luther Burbank. To make the new parades extra special, famous people were invited to be "Grand Marshals."
One year, the famous cartoonist Charles Schulz was the Grand Marshal. He brought a fun Peanuts theme to the celebration. Other Grand Marshals have included local heroes, veterans, and community leaders.
The floats in the parade often showed what was popular or important at the time. There were floats about baseball, peace, and history. In 1909, they even had a parade at night with floats that lit up!
Sometimes, the mood of the parade reflected serious events happening in the world. For example, during the 1960s, the parade was more serious and less silly. But most years, the festival is a time of great fun and excitement for everyone.
The Parade Today
What to Expect at the Festival
Today, the parade is a huge event that brings the community together. There are strict rules for entering a float. For instance, judges must be able to see at least one rose on every entry!
There are many awards given out, including prizes for the best use of roses, the best use of recycled materials, and the most creative float. A special group of clowns, called the “Distinguished Clown Corps,” also marches in the parade. These are local community leaders who are trained by a professional clown to entertain the crowds.
In the past, the parade route went past the Luther Burbank Home and Gardens. After the parade, the festival takes place in a park with music, games, and food. This is also where the winners of the float competition receive their awards.
Recent Celebrations
The 2024 Parade & Festival was the first one held since 2019. It took place on May 18, 2024. The parade route went through the center of town, and nearly 80 different community groups participated.
The festival was expanded to include more free activities for families. There were fun contests for the community and a wide variety of performers who represented the culture of Sonoma County.
