Floatfest, the afterparty of sorts to the 135th edition of the Rose Parade, went off without a hitch on Jan. 1 and 2.
Close to 60,000 people descended on the corner of Sierra Madre and Washington Boulevards in Pasadena to take in a two-mile showcase of 40 floats from the parade.
The Bellgardt family of Sherman Oaks arrived at Floatfest wearing their allegiance to the Rose Bowl-winning Michigan Wolverines, who beat the Alabama Crimson Tide 27-20.
Ramiro Bellgardt admitted he’s the biggest fan in the family, but his wife Elizabeth and their two sons agree Floatfest is a must-see.
“We were here last year and the crowds were thinner because there was a light drizzle,” Elizabeth Bellgardt said.
This year’s float walk was warmer, but no less spectacular.
The family’s standout entries include the American Armenian Rose Float Association, the city of Alhambra’s dragon, and the San Diego Zoo’s float, which won the Sweepstakes Trophy from the Tournament of Roses.
“We love seeing all the people out and seeing all the work on the floats from so close by,” Ramiro Bellgardt said.
Christine Reyes of Arcadia said even though her family prefer to watch the Rose Parade on TV, they had made a tradition of trekking up Sierra Madre Boulevard for Floatfest.
“It’s more relaxed, and we take our time looking at everything,” she said. She brought her son Austin, 2, who gaped at the giant backward-cap wearing crocodile on the UPS Store float. The entry won the Bob Hope Humor Award for most whimsical and amusing float and drew crowds at the event.
“He enjoyed seeing any animal on any float,” Reyes said.
Jaina Ilharreguy, 16, of Claremont is a fifth-generation Tournament of Roses volunteer.
A junior at California School of the Arts in Duarte, Jaina is a first-year Student Ambassador, high school students who help in the parade and its related events. Her family’s Rose Parade love began with her great-grandfather and continues with her grandmother,…
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