Everything does come up roses in Pasadena on New Year’s Day at the iconic, world-famous Rose Parade! And for 54 rigs of Fantasy guests and ambassadors, the 2017 Rose Parade Rally was an experience they’ll always remember.
“The parade is the highlight. That’s why people are there,” said Darlene Weir, who with her husband Jim, were WagonMasters of this popular event. But for Fantasy guests, it wasn’t just the Parade. The Rally took place over six days, all packed full of fun times and events.
The group wasted no time getting into the New Year’s spirit. After arriving at the East Shore RV Park on the banks of Puddingstone Lake in San Dimas and checking in at Fantasy’s private hospitality tent, they dove right in, traveling to a float building barn and helping to cover some of those famous floats with flowers imported from all over the world.
Fantasy guests worked on nine different floats. “Everybody did a little of everything,” said Darlene. “And on parade day, when guests saw their float go by, they knew they had a small part of it.”
On Day 2 the group headed to the Los Angeles Equestrian Center for Equifest. Here, many of the horses and riders who will be participating in the Parade put on a show, displaying the various skills and different styles of riding of the diverse breeds of these beautiful animals. This was all followed by a delicious world-class Cuban dinner buffet at the Coco Palm restaurant, an area landmark with stunning views from its cliff-side perch.
After checking on the float building progress at more of the float barns the following morning, Fantasy’s Rally guests traveled to the Rose Parade’s Bandfest. The best high school bands from all over the world are invited to come to Pasadena to march in the Rose Parade, and Bandfest is an exciting preview. These groups will be seen again as they march by on Parade Day, but at Bandfest they really get to see them strut their stuff! Then it was back to the Fantasy tent at the campground for a delicious catered dinner.
It’s the day before New Year’s and the group celebrated the end of 2017 in fine style. It began with a tour of the Huntington Library and Gardens – home to such masterpiece paintings as Pinkie and Blue Boy and surrounded by lush manicured park-like lawns and gardens. “Our people were in awe when we arrived at the Huntington,” said Darlene. “A guest mentioned to me – ‘this isn’t just a library’!” There was time to get ready for Fantasy’s New Year’s Eve Gala – all taking place in the hospitality tent. Dinner, dancing and drinks with a disc jockey who played the music the group requested proved to make this a New Year’s Eve to remember. “The dance floor was overflowing,” said Jim. At 9 p.m., midnight on the east coast, the giant screen television was turned on so the group could watch Times Square’s crystal ball drop in New York. “We celebrate with New York because it’s an early morning the next day,” said Jim.
It’s the biggest New Year’s Day celebration in the world when January 1 dawns in Pasadena. Fantasy guests were transported to reserved bleacher seats early on the parade route. “Our seats don’t go up high, so we’re seated close to the parade route and we’re on the side where we’re not looking into the sun,” said Jim. “And you can literally talk to the riders and smell the flowers as the floats go by,” adds Darlene.
After the parade, a few guests who had game tickets headed to the Rose Bowl. Most of the group opted to visit the floats up close while they were on display at the end of the parade route. And others went back to the campground to watch the game and enjoy refreshments at Fantasy’s hospitality tent.
The following morning, guests enjoyed Fantasy’s traditional Goodbye Continental Breakfast before heading out for the road. “We did so many more things than I was expecting,” one guest told Jim. “If we hadn’t been with you guys, we would never have done it all.”
All in all, it was a happy New Year.