If you missed attending the 136th Rose Parade in person, Floatfest is a three-day opportunity to close and personal with the very floats that made their way down Colorado Boulevard on New Year’s Day.
The two-mile walk-through opened on Wednesday, Jan. 1, and will run through Friday, Jan. 3, stationed at the corner of Sierra Madre Avenue and Washington Boulevard in Pasadena.
Locals and visitors alike attend the post-parade viewing to see the details of the parade’s 39 floats. More than 70,000 visitors are anticipated to attend Floatfest over the three days, officials say.
Attendees can also enjoy the return of Food Fare – presented by Go Bowling – which features food trucks, a full-service bar and beer and wine garden. There is live entertainment and a video wall for people to preserve their trip to Floatfest.
Norah Glass and her father Will Glass were in line for float fest around 1 p.m. on Wednesday after watching the parade from home.
They’d never been to the parade before, and were excited to see the floats up close and personal.
“We watched on TV so we could be ready,” Will Glass said. “ I didn’t even know you could do this,” he said of being able to view the floats at this scale.
Being from Chicago, Norah Glass said she and her family was most excited to see the float from Illinois — and the Wicked entry, after seeing it go by their screen at home.
Floatfest admission is $25 and free for children 5 and under. Tickets are only sold online at sharpseating.com.
Floatfest entry hours are from 1:30 to 5 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 1, with ticket sales ending at 3:30 p.m. and last entry at 4 p.m.; 7 to 9 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 2, reserved for seniors and people with mobility disabilities; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 2; and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Jan. 3.
Officials recommend wearing comfortable shoes, as there are no trams and seating is limited. No pets or bikes are allowed. There will be a bag check upon entry and only clear bags are allowed.
Those interested in attending can use free shuttles from two Pasadena locations, one at Pasadena City College, 1570 E. Colorado Blvd., with entry off Del Mar Boulevard or Bonnie near the corner of Hill Avenue; and the other at the PCC Extension Lot, 3035 E. Foothill Blvd. One perk: shuttle users get priority entrance to the event. For more information, visit tournamentofroses.com/event/floatfest-a-rose-parade-showcase.
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