Soggy Roses

For 50 years rain-free skies have blessed the Tournament of Roses Parade, even though on many occasions we had storms the day before or the day after. Consequently, thousands of frozen midwesterners looked up from their shivering huddles, saw the sun shining on Southern California, and headed west. The Chamber of Commerce couldn't have planned it any better.

Well, this year the Chamber gets the day off. Back in the early days of the parade, they made a deal with the local churches in Pasadena that whenever the 1st fell on a Sunday, the parade would be pushed back to the 2nd. I'll bet they're regretting that decision this year. Had they held the parade on the 1st, it would have been a little cold and damp, but no rain. The 2nd promises to be a whole new ballgame, they may have a real monsoon on their hands.

The forecast as of Sunday evening is calling for heavy rain and wind. Slogging five miles in heavy storms will not be fun and all the hairspray in Hollywood isn't going to help the poor Rose Queen and her court. I don't normally watch the parade, but I think this year's will be a little extra entertaining, so I may tune in.

If there's any consolation for the Tournament of Roses Committee it's that the Rose Bowl game itself won't be held until the 4th when the weather should be nice. I'm sure the Queen's dress will have dried out by then.