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Many items, from dinners to getaways, are still up for grabs as the South Pasadena Tournament of Roses Committee is holding its annual Crunch Time Party auction online this year on account of the coronavirus pandemic.
A longtime tradition, the event is designed to raise funds for South Pasadena’s float in the annual Rose Parade, which has been cancelled on New Year’s Day, pushing local float builders to gear up for the 2022 Rose Parade by encouraging public support for its auction which started Saturday, December 26, at 10 a.m. and ends Tuesday, December 29, at 10 p.m.
“This being our first and only major fundraiser in 2020 we are grateful for everyone getting behind this major effort,” said Brant Dunlap, president of the SPTOR. “For those of you that have supported us in various fundraisers, this is your chance to donate. For those of you who are visiting us for the first time, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.”
Dunlap reports that first day activity for the auction on the website was strong as nearly $10,000 was raised.
The virtual auction features dozens of items, including a gourmet dinner for eight, a private airplane ride for two, a Big Bear getaway, an overnight stay at a high-end hotel, an elegant estate tour, dinners, gift baskets, entertainment and much more.
The Crunch Time Party, held annually as the rush in normal years to finish decorating South Pasadena’s float in a giant tent behind the War Memorial Building in town, traditionally includes dinner and a silent and live auction. This year it has been replaced this year by a 4-day virtual online auction, allowing community members to support the city’s float a unique way. “It has been a very difficult year and we really appreciate people recognizing what our participation in the parade does for our community,” said Dunlap. “The auction is a fun way for people to support our float.”
Dollars raised from the auction help pay for the cost of steel and flowers for the city’s float, which ranges in cost between $80,000 to $100,000 every year depending on its size. Volunteers provide all the labor to create the floral masterpiece.
While the 2021 Rose Parade won’t take place, Tournament of Roses officials will host a reimagined celebration on New Year’s Day featuring live-to-tape musical and marching band performances, an historical look at past parades, celebrity appearances and more during a two-hour morning show. It will be aired from 8-10 a.m. on ABC, Hallmark, KTLA, NBC, RFT-TV and Univision.
Dunlap recognizes this year’s Crunch Time Party will look different, but says the goal of the auction remains the same – to raise funds for South Pasadena’s float to participate in the 2022 Rose Parade, creating plenty of e hometown pride along with it. “Sky’s the Limit” will be the name city’s entry in the next scheduled parade, given the theme “Dream. Believe. Achieve.”
“We just hope people will take part in our auction, especially during these remaining hours, bid on some great items and know they were part of something special this year,” he said. “We couldn’t build this float and put it in the parade without the community support it receives. Thank you everyone.”
To take part in the auction site, go to: wwwSPTOR.org or auctria.com/auction/SPTOR2020
