Day 6 - Rose Parade

January 1st, 2018

By: Drum Majors Lauren Zanini, Josh Lawrence and Luke Marta

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Today is the day we have been waiting sand preparing for all year... Rose Parade Day! Rise and shine, it’s 4:00am and time to get ready for the busy day! All of the band members were to get dressed in their uniforms and go down to breakfast at 5:00. Given a short 30 minute breakfast time, members were to make sure they fuelled their bodies for the long 6 miles ahead of them! As the Tournament of Roses is extremely particular on timing, in order to be in the parade marshalling area on time, the band had to be on the road for 5:30am.

The bus ride to the marshalling area was long and dark, so most of the members decided to get a little extra sleep. Upon arrivial, we had a matter of minutes to collect our instruments and get off the buses, in order to make it to our spot at the right time. Once in our spot, we waited until our turn to enter the route between the floats.

Approximately 9:15am, The Burlington Teen Tour Band stepped off for the 5th time as a Rose Parade Band. Turning TV corner onto Colorado Boulevard, was a stunning and breathtaking experience. It was absolutely amazing to see the multitude of people lining the parade route cheering us on. About half way through the parade we passed Pasadena City College, where all of the band supporters, chaperones, alumni and families filled the bleachers top to bottom watching and supporting us with pride. Seeing the familiar faces of our supporters in the crowd gave us a feeling of exhilaration and that final bit of motivation to keep us going. As usual, we played to the very last second of the parade which was greatly appreciated by the crowds, something that not all bands did. After dismissal, the members had the chance to interact with members from all of the other bands while waiting in line to be fed.

After arriving back at the hotel, members were given the opportunity for free time before our annual formal dinner and dance. Many members used this time to rest, watch the parade on television, and prepare themselves for the formal.

At 6:30pm, the doors of the Crystal Ballroom opened signalling the start of the 2017 formal. During this time, members, supporters and staff were fed dinner, engaged in the annual slideshow, learned of the 2018 Executive, and received awards and gifts. Around 9:00pm the dance portion of the night started, where staff and supporters exited the ballroom, leaving members to bust a move on the dance floor.

After a long, exciting, and memorable day, all band members were to get to bed at midnight to prepare for a day of fun and sightseeing!

- Drum Majors