Rose Parade Floats

Rose Parade Floats

(All photographs, unless otherwise noted, are courtesy of Steve Shaw of the San Bernardino Historical and Pioneer Society)

San Bernardino Rose Parade Float - Sharing the Joy of the Holidays
(Click on each color photograph to enlarge)

The last time the City of San Bernardino participated in the Rose Parade was in 1988, with an entry called "Sharing the Joy of the Holidays".

Tournament of Roses Logo

According to the official history of the Tournament of Roses:

"The first Tournament of Roses was staged in 1890 by members of Pasadena's Valley Hunt Club, former residents of the East and Midwest eager to showcase their new home's mild winter weather. 'In New York, people are buried in snow,' announced Professor Charles F. Holder at a Club meeting. 'Here our flowers are blooming and our oranges are about to bear. Let's hold a festival to tell the world about our paradise'."

During the next few years, the festival expanded to include marching bands and motorized floats. In 1978, the City of San Bernardino entered its first float in the Rose Parade (the 89th year of the Parade). The City's float was titled, "Gateway to Early California" and it won the Pioneers Trophy.

San Bernardino Rose Parade Float - Gateway to Early California
1978, "Gateway to Early California", Winner of the Pioneers Trophy

San Bernardino Rose Parade Float - Early California Derby
1979, "Early California Derby", Winner of Pioneers Trophy

San Bernardino Rose Parade Float - Easter Parade
1980, "Easter Parade", Winner of the Queen's Trophy

San Bernardino Rose Parade Float - Wonder of Spring
1981, "The Wonder of Spring", Winner of 1st Place in its Division
(Image taken from the SUN newspaper)

San Bernardino Rose Parade Float - Universal Dream Come True
1982, "A Universal Dream Come True", Winner of 2nd Place in its Division

San Bernardino Rose Parade Float - Parade of Roses
1983, "Parade of Roses", Winner of 2nd Place in its Division

San Bernardino Rose Parade Float - The Lands of Enchantment
1984, The Lands of Enchantment", Winner of the 1st Princess Trophy

San Bernardino Rose Parade Float - Tale of the American West
1985, "Tale of the American West"

San Bernardino Rose Parade Float - Elixir of Life
1986, "Elixir of Life: The Great American Medicine Show"

San Bernardino Rose Parade Float - Festivals of Fantasy
1987, "Festivals of Fantasy", Winner of 1st Place in its Division
Float overheated and was towed for five miles.

San Bernardino Rose Parade Float - Sharing the Joy of the Holidays
1988, "Sharing the Joy of the Holidays"

San Bernardino's 1890 Horse-Drawn Hose Wagon

1988 was the last year that the City of San Bernardino had an official entry in the Tournament of Roses Parade. However, it was not the last time that the City was part of the Parade. From time to time the California State Firefighter's Association (CSFA) participates in the Rose Parade with antique apparatus from various cities.

Hose Wagon that was built by the Allen Iron Works
Hose Wagon that was built by the Allen Iron Works

In April 1896, the hose wagon, used by the City of San Bernardino since 1890, was made stronger and became the first ball-bearing fire apparatus on the West Coast. In 1992, the old 1890 hose wagon was discovered, and looked like it had been exposed to the elements since the fire department sold it in the 1920s.

A restoration project was begun, but it stalled after several years and the parts put in storage. In 1996, the wagon was moved to the Pioneer Fire Museum in San Bernardino where the restoration was completed. The City of San Bernardino's Fire Department (SBFD) 1890 horse-drawn Hose Wagon (now belonging to the San Bernardino Historical and Pioneer Society) participated in several recent Rose Parades.

This same Hose Wagon was featured in the 2008 Rose Parade. Riding in the hose wagon was:

  • Patrick J. Morris - Mayor, City of San Bernardino

  • Maggie Willis - 11 year old grand daughter of Mayor Pat Morris

  • Michael J. Conrad - Fire Chief, City of San Bernardino

  • Pat A. Dennen - Fire Chief, San Bernardino County

  • Gail Shaw - Treasurer & Membership Secretary, San Bernardino Historical & Pioneer Society

Walking:

  • Allen Bone - Vice-President, San Bernardino Historical & Pioneer Society

The theme of the parade will be: "Passport to the World's Celebrations". Accordingly, flags and helmets from different countries around the world will be on display.

In the parade lineup, the hose wagon will be #35 out of 97 entries.

SBFD 1890 horse-drawn Hose Wagon with CSFA Steam Pumper, Fresno Ladder Truck and San Luis Obispo Hose Wagon.
1997 - SBFD 1890 horse-drawn Hose Wagon with CSFA Steam Pumper, Fresno Ladder Truck and San Luis Obispo Hose Wagon.

SBFD 1890 horse-drawn Hose Wagon with CSFA Steam Pumper, Fresno Ladder Truck.
1999 - SBFD 1890 horse-drawn Hose Wagon with CSFA Steam Pumper, Fresno Ladder Truck.

SBFD 1890 horse-drawn Hose Wagon with SBFD 1878 hand-drawn Hose Cart, Los Angeles County Hand Pumper, CSFA Steam Pumper, and Fresno Ladder Truck
2001 - SBFD 1890 horse-drawn Hose Wagon with SBFD 1878 hand-drawn Hose Cart, Los Angeles County Hand Pumper, CSFA Steam Pumper, and Fresno Ladder Truck.

SBFD 1890 horse-drawn Hose Wagon with CSFA Steam Pumper, Fresno Ladder Truck and Color Guard from Orange County Fire Department
2004 - SBFD 1890 horse-drawn Hose Wagon with CSFA Steam Pumper, Fresno Ladder Truck and Color Guard from Orange County Fire Department.

SBFD 1890 horse-drawn Hose Wagon with CSFA Steam Pumper, Fresno Ladder Truck and Color Guard from the United States Forest Service
2005 - SBFD 1890 horse-drawn Hose Wagon with CSFA Steam Pumper, Fresno Ladder Truck and Color Guard from the United States Forest Service.

SBFD 1890 horse-drawn Hose Wagon with CSFA Steam Pumper, Ladder Truck and Hose Wagon from Native Sons of the Golden West #59 from Northern California, and Color Guard from the Orange County Fire Department
2006 - SBFD 1890 horse-drawn Hose Wagon with CSFA Steam Pumper, Ladder Truck and Hose Wagon from Native Sons of the Golden West #59 from Northern California, and Color Guard from the Orange County Fire Department.

SBFD 1890 horse-drawn Hose Wagon
2008 - SBFD 1890 horse-drawn Hose Wagon. Riding in the hose wagon was; Patrick J. Morris - Mayor, City of San Bernardino, Maggie Willis - 11 year old grand daughter of Mayor Pat Morris, Michael J. Conrad - Fire Chief, City of San Bernardino, Pat A. Dennen - Fire Chief, San Bernardino County, Gail Shaw - Treasurer & Membership Secretary, City of San Bernardino Historical & Pioneer Society. Walking next to the wagon was Allen Bone - Vice-President, City of San Bernardino Historical & Pioneer Society

National Orange Show in the Rose Parade

San Bernardino has received recognition in the Rose Parade for decades, thanks to the participation of The National Orange Show. The first entry by the National Orange Show was in 1917 and often the name "San Bernardino" was highlighted on the front, the back or the sides of the float.

1917 - National Orange Show Rose Parade Float
1917 - National Orange Show

1918 - National Orange Show Rose Parade Float
1918 - National Orange Show

1919 - National Orange Show Rose Parade Float
1919 - National Orange Show

1920 - National Orange Show Rose Parade Float
1920 - National Orange Show

1921 - National Orange Show Rose Parade Float
1921 - National Orange Show

1923 - National Orange Show Rose Parade Float
1923 - National Orange Show

1926 - National Orange Show Rose Parade Float
1926 - National Orange Show

1927 - National Orange Show Rose Parade Float
1927 - National Orange Show

1928 - National Orange Show Rose Parade Float
1928 - National Orange Show

1929 - National Orange Show Rose Parade Float
1929 - National Orange Show

1930 - National Orange Show Rose Parade Float
1930 - National Orange Show

1931 - National Orange Show Rose Parade Float
1931 - National Orange Show

1932 - National Orange Show Rose Parade Float
1932 - National Orange Show

1933 - National Orange Show Rose Parade Float
1933 - National Orange Show

1934 - National Orange Show Rose Parade Float
1934 - National Orange Show

1936 - National Orange Show Rose Parade Float
1936 - National Orange Show

1937 - National Orange Show Rose Parade Float
1937 - National Orange Show

1938 - National Orange Show Rose Parade Float
1938 - National Orange Show

1939 - National Orange Show Rose Parade Float
1939 - National Orange Show

1940 - National Orange Show Rose Parade Float
1940 - National Orange Show

1941 - National Orange Show Rose Parade Float
1941 - National Orange Show

1947 - National Orange Show Rose Parade Float
1947 - National Orange Show

1955 - National Orange Show Rose Parade Float
1955 - National Orange Show

1956 - National Orange Show Rose Parade Float
1956 - National Orange Show

1959 - National Orange Show Rose Parade Float
1959 - National Orange Show

1965 - National Orange Show Rose Parade Float
1965 - National Orange Show