Rose Parade floats continue to inspire

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Did you know that Culver City boasts numerous entries in the Tournament of Roses Parade?

Hosted initially in 1890 by Pasadena’s Valley Hunt Club, the parade was a members’ celebration of the ideal weather in their new home.

These “transplants” related to snow rather than picking flowers and oranges at that time of year, and they wanted to share their new lifestyle with the residents of the Midwest and the East.

Two thousand people lined the streets to see the first parade of flower-covered carriages, followed by other community activities.

Although the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association has verified Culver City’s first entry as 1925, the earliest photograph available so far appears to be our 1940 entry, which read “God Bless America” across the front of the float,).

Entries became more sophisticated, as float-builders eventually constructed elaborate floats. “Kings of Comedy,” for example, was built by Festival Builders with wheels turning and heads bobbing for the Jan. 1, 1986 parade.

The estimated cost was $65,000, with a Culver City Council guarantee up to $75,000 in funds.

Many may remember the fundraising activities to finance the floats in the 1980s, including a 50’s party at the Fox Hills Mall, a screening of “Rocky IV” and a Halloween Party at M.G.M Studios, during which the role of “Dorothy” on the float was auctioned. Do you remember who won? (Carol Matlow).

Culver City received trophies twice during that decade. In 1986 the “Kings of Comedy” received the Theme Trophy, and in 1988, “Fantasy on Film” was awarded the Director’s Trophy. (pictured)

This month, the Culver City Historical Society’s Archives and Resource  (ARC)s is featuring a special display, including large framed photos of the floats from the 1980s.

At that time, the Culver City Tournament of Roses Association operated under the auspices of the city’s Visitors and Convention Bureau, which sponsored the floats.

They capitalized on Culver City’s movie history as you can see. The 1985 float was titled “Premiere.”  Display hours are 1-3 p.m. first and third Saturdays and we will be open special hours prior to the free Dec. 29 3 p.m. “Made in Culver City” screening of  “ A Night at the Opera” in the Veterans Memorial Auditorium.

The ARC is accessed from the parking lot behind the Veterans Memorial Building at 4117 Overland Avenue. The Archives will also open on Jan. 12, for the Sister City Celebration, in addition to its regularly scheduled hours.