The 120th Annual Tournament of Roses Parade began under sunny skies, warm temperatures, and thousands of people still stuck in traffic jams trying to find parking places, police said Thursday.
A float called "Entertaining Expedition" and featuring towering, feathery trees won the Sweepstakes Trophy this year. (See list of winners, below.)
Floats built by volunteers in Downey won the award for floats built by civic groups, and the La-Canada-Flintridge float, also built by volunteers, won the award for best animation and motion.
One small mishap marred the beginning of the parade, when the three-story-high American Honda float snapped a pair of cables stretched across Colorado Boulevard at Fair Oaks Boulevard in Old Town Pasadena.
KNX radio reporter Andrew Mollenbeck was broadcasting a live news report and saw the wires hit by a three-story high robot and snap.
"Oh, my goodness, it went right through a cable," he exclaimed on the air.
The reporter said the cables did not appear to be electrical wires, but had been stretched across the street for banners of some sort. He said they landed on a sidewalk in a crowd, but did not apparently hurt anyone.
Pasadena police said the incident was minor.
Pasadena fire spokesperson Lisa Derderian said 70-degree temperatures took their toll during the 3-1/2 mile march.
"Some from out of the state may be not acclimated to Southern California weather. We're treating a lot of band members at the end of the parade," Derderian said.
Thirty people were hospitalized from injuries suffered during the parade.
A total of 49 medical calls were answered by paramedics from various cities stationed to Pasadena. Another three people were hurt in car versus pedestrian crashes, but none were badly hurt, Dederian said.
WINNERS
The official list of 2009 Rose Parade winners has been released by the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association:
- Sweepstakes Trophy for most-beautiful entry with outstanding floral use, "Entertaining Expedition," Rain Bird Corp. and Fiesta Parade Floats.
- Lathrop K. Leishman Trophy for the most-beautiful non-commercial float, "Bollywood Dreams," made by volunteers in the City of Sierra Madre.
- Grand Marshal's Trophy for excellence in creative concept, "Camelot - A Knight's Tale," made by volunteers in the City of Sierra Madre.
- President's Trophy for most-effective floral use, "Believe in Music," NAMM, The International Music Products Association, Studio Concepts floats.
- Director's Trophy for outstanding artistic merit in design, "Hope Grows," Vera Bradley and Festival Artists floats.
- Queen's Trophy for most-effective use and display of roses, "Donate Life," Stars of Life and Phoenix Decorating Co.
- Mayor's Trophy for most outstanding city, "Surf City USA," City of Huntington Beach and Festival Artists.
- Theme Trophy for excellence in presenting parade theme, "Hats Off In Celebration," American Honda and Phoenix Decorating Co.
- National Trophy for best depiction of life in the USA, "Celebrating Alaska - Spirit of the Wild," Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau and Fiesta Parade Floats.
- Governor's Trophy for best depiction of life in California, "Entertaining Dreams For A Century," City of Roseville and Phoenix Decorating Co.
- Bob Hope Trophy for use of humor, "Hats Off To New Mexico - Beep Beep," State of New Mexico and Fiesta Parade Floats.
- Judges' Special Trophy for most spectacular in showmanship, "Making a Splash," City of Mission Viejo and Fiesta Parade Floats.
- Animation Trophy for best animation, "Mechanical Melodies," made by volunteers in the City of La Canada-Flintridge.
- Fantasy Trophy for most outstanding display of fantasy, "The Garden of Oz," Bayer Advanced and Phoenix Decorating Co.
- Founders' Trophy for most spectacular float built by volunteers, "Broadway's Golden Age," City of Downey Rose Float Association.
- International Trophy for most beautiful entry from outside this country, "Taiwan Lantern Festival," China Airlines and Festival Artists.
- Princess's Trophy for most beautiful float under 35 feet, "Sharing The Great Outdoors," Kiwanis International and Phoenix Decorating Co.
- Isabella Coleman Trophy for best presentation of color, "Celebrating the Dream of Hoime Ownership for 100 Years," National Association of Realtors and Fiesta Parade Floats.
- Special Trophy for exceptional merit in mulitiple categories for floats over 55 people, "Propel Your Dreams," Kaiser Permanente and Fiesta Parade Floats.
- Past Presidents Trophy for most creative use of flowers, "Sneak Preview," City of Glendale and Phoenix Decorating Co.
- Tournament Volunteers Trophy for best floral design for floats less than 35 feet, "Mad Hatter's Tea Party," City of Torrance and Fiesta Parade Floats.
- Craftsman Trophy for exceptional showmanship for floats over 55 feet, "Family Outing," Farmers Insurance Group and Phoenix Decorating Co.
- Extraordinaire Trophy for most spectacular float, "Jack-O-Licious," Jack in the Box and Festival Artists.
- Crown City Trophy for innovation, "Entertaining Our Imaginations," Western Asset and Phoenix Decorating Co.
