Let’s start off 2025 with a colorful photo of a float from the annual Tournament of Roses Parade at that takes place in Pasadena, California every New Year’s Day. This shot was taken on January 1, 1958, and shows a float called “Rocket Honeymoon” which had been entered by the fraternity organization, Odd Fellows, and their women’s auxiliary, Rebekahs. The stats on this float are amazing: 100,000 chrysanthemum blossoms, 4,000 vanda orchids, 5,000 poinsettia petals, 4,000 red carnations, and 30,000 stock blossoms. I’m not surprised this float won first prize in its division!
Happy New Year! Looks like a nice day in 58. Also looks like a beautiful day in Pasadena this morning. I have never been to the parade, have always watched from home on tv.
HAPPY NEW YEAR, MARTIN. That pix is fantastic, and let’s not forget, that was taken in the late 50s during the height of all those camp, cult sci fi films of the era. Being a movie buff, the 50s produced some of the very best sci fi adventures ever, alive and well to this day. No matter what, the Roses Parade has always been creative, and very Hollywood-ish. To this very day, the artists involved should be congratulated. It is a show of shows.
Yes, I wondered if the float was reflective of the whole sci-fi, go-to-the-moon vibe of the late 50s.
Yes! As soon as I saw it, I was thinking SCI FI! A little chuckle along with it.