The Grandstands Look Grand; Got Your Tix?

The Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade is, how would one say..? Major. Like, you want to plan way ahead if you are attending (you have to figure that people traveling from around the country -- and world -- already have their California itinerary locked up).

A spin down Colorado Boulevard over the weekend presented a familiar, and strangely festive sight (for it says "Pasadena in December" to us): The grandstands are up along Colorado and Orange Grove and are ready for throngs of people. Which makes us ponder if the throngs are ready for the parade. If you are thinking of attending, or maybe need to check with Cousin So-and-So at Christmas to see if he wants to go, best check now, or this week. Because these grandstands aren't your typical bleachers; tickets are reserved and numbered, and ushers -- yes, ushers -- show you to your seat. How much do we adore the refinement of the Rose Parade? Much.

While tickets are available through December 31, nabbing them ahead of time is always advisable to waking up on New Year's Day and deciding you might want to go see some floats. Like so many huge events in our metropolis, being on top of the process is everything. Seriously. Ask anyone who's tried to get a ticket to a hot concert the day of.

That said, if you want to curb it on Colorado, by all means, get adventurous. The Rose Parade does not dissuade parade watchers who decide to grab some asphalt (though they do link to the Pasadena Police site for further rules and explanations), but consider that hardcore fans start staking curb at noon on New Year's Eve. Brrr.

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