Parade Float – A bit of History
Over 1,000 years ago, the first Carnival — held to celebrate Fat Tuesday (Mardi Gras) — was staged in Nice, France. As part of that event there were parades.
And although parades are centuries old, many owe their origins to the ones held in Nice. For it was the event that was the inspiration for Mardi Gras in New Orleans, Carnival in Rio, and hundreds of other carnival parades throughout the world.
In 1889, someone from Pasadena, California went to the Battle of Flowers Parade at Carnival in Nice, and came back to his community to proclaim that Pasadena should have an all floral parade, too. Thus was born the Tournament of Roses Parade, which millions watch live and on television every New Year’s morning.
There are now over 50,000 parades of all types in the U.S. alone. They are staged for many reasons — as celebration of community, for political, social and cultural reasons, or just for the simple reason for people in a community to get together and have fun. The Tournament of Roses Parade is the third highest network rated show behind the Super Bowl and the Academy Awards.
But most parades aren’t seen by millions. Some are seen by only hundreds, but still are are worthy celebrations in communities of all sizes around the world.
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