05.29.07
China comes up roses in Pasadena
Right: A concept design of the float, featuring the Beijing Olympic mascots
Next year, for the first time in its 119-year history, the Tournament of Roses parade in Pasadena, Calif., will feature a float from China.
The float will represent the nation and its hosting of the 29th Olympic Games in Beijing, and will be co-sponsored by the Roundtable of Southern California Chinese-American Organizations and Avery Dennison Corp.
The parade will take place on New Year’s Day 2008, but before that, Southern California will host a series of events to promote China-U.S. cooperation and showcase the float. Among the festivities: a performance at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium on Aug. 9 by a group of young artists specially flown in from Beijing, and two gala cultural performances at the Staples Center on Dec. 28 and 29.
The theme of the 2008 parade? “Passport to the World’s Celebrations.”
For more on the parade, visit the official site.