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Brant Dunlap, recognizing time is running short, knows no other way to say it than: “We need your help!” as the rush is on to support South Pasadena’s float scheduled to roll down Pasadena’s Colorado Boulevard on January 2, 2023 for the 134th Rose Parade.
The president of the committee overseeing the city’s float is urging the public’s support to get on board in a number of ways – purchasing tickets to the year-end Crunch Time Party, contributing time to constructing and decorating the float at its worksite, in a back parking lot behind the War Memorial Building, 435 Fair Oaks Avenue, taking part in a online auction or by making a flat donation.
“We need your support to produce this year’s float,” said Dunlap in an appeal to the community from the South Pasadena Tournament of Roses Committee (SPTOR). “Many of our larger donors have not committed to helping this year and many of our local businesses are simply facing rising costs that are making it difficult for them. Without them we are potentially facing a major shortfall between 50% and 75 % of our yearly budget.”
The Crunch Time Party – held each year on December 29 from 6-10 p.m. is a major way the public can help chip into the overall cost of the float. Individual tickets are $75 or $700 for a table of 10. The fundraiser, which traditionally brings in between $30,000 – $40,000, includes dinner, a silent and live auction designed to offset the roughly $125,000 in float expenses for steel, flowers, tent rental and other materials.
“Spark of Imagination” is the theme of South Pasadena’s latest entry as workers are diligently putting in long hours to complete the task. Soon it will be “crunch time,” the days between December 26 and January 2 when there’s a whirlwind of activity around the float as volunteers are pushed to the brink with little time to spare.
The 2023 parade is delayed one day due to the Tournament of Roses’ longstanding “Never on Sunday” rule for holding the event. Millions of television viewers are expected to watch it on television networks worldwide while thousands more, layered in clothing to fight off the morning chill, will view it live along the parade route as the floats, bands, equestrian units take the 5.5-mile journey down Colorado Boulevard.
“Any amount, small or large will make a difference,” said Dunlap, about the need for monetary support. “We also could use all the help we can get from those who have an hour or two, all day if you have it, so we can finish the work on the float.”
Here are four ways to help South Pasadena’s float:
- Lend a hand at: volunteer@sptor.org and construction@sptor.org
- Purchase Crunch Time Party tickets: Contact Ellen Torres at etphonhom@aol.com
- Take part in the online auction for a wide assortment of items added daily. Use the QR code or visit www.charityauction.bid/crunch2022. It starts at midnight on December 27 and ends at 6 p.m. on January 3. You do not need to register to view the items. However, you must register in order to place a bid. Proxy bids are accepted so if you’re busy on the third of January before 6 p.m. you can still participate. Shipping is available on most items so it doesn’t matter where you live. SPTOR President Brant Dunlap calls it “Six days of fun!”
- Support the South Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association by visiting www.sptor.org or by mail: SPTOR, P.O. Box 3662, South Pasadena, 91032.
