All the Links That Are Fit to Click for the Tournament of Roses

UPDATE:

Got back from the Parade & will be adding many new stories over the next few days.  Be sure to visit my TOR column on Examiner.com!
_____________________________________

It's been busy, busy, busy in Pasadena the past couple weeks.  Everything is gearing up for the Tournament of Roses, "America's New Year's Celebration".  The Rose Parade, that incomparable cavalcade of top-notch bands, equestrians, and indescribably beautiful floats.  The Rose Bowl Game, "Granddaddy of Them All".  Equestfest, with hundreds of horses prancing and galloping and doing tricks.  Bandfest, three field shows featuring musicians and drill teams from all over the country--and world.  The float barns, where the creations transform from drawings into reality.

I have been following every event and all the news one feelancer could possibly cover.  I've interviewed princesses, astronauts, float builders, volunteers.  I've tried out local eateries.  Listed here are "hub" articles, which have links to most of the articles I've written. There are others that you can find by going to my Tournament of Roses column, or searching at Examiner.com in the search box.

And more are coming up, so stay tuned!


Tournament of Roses 101: Rose Parade and Rose Bowl Game information

Tournament of Roses 101: Everything you want to know about the 2012 Royal Court
Follow that float: Los Angeles/Natural History Museum, from plans to parade


And, for a peek at last year's floats:

Rose Parade floats 101: Photos, winners, articles for the 2011 parade

2012 Rose Queen just announced!

Drew Washington, center,  Kimberly Ostiller and Cynthia Louie on either side.

Drew Helen Washington, the youngest girl on the Tournament of Roses Royal Court, was named as Rose Queen this morning at Tournament House.  She is 16, lives in Pasadena, and attends Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy in La Cañada Flintridge.

She is the 94th Rose Queen and will reign over the 123rd Rose Parade and 98th Rose Bowl Game.  Read all about it in my Tournament of Roses column.  I will be posting stories frequently.  This morning's entry,
DrewWashington named as 94th Rose Parade Queen today at Tournament House, covers the announcement.

2012 Royal Court: Pictures & Profiles

It's that time of year when most of my writing centers around the Tournament of Roses. It's a job I really enjoy, and I find myself meeting new people every week.

In addition to following the Los Angeles/Natural History Museum float from start to finish, I will be covering all the Tournament events between now and January 3, 2012.

On Monday, the 2012 Royal Court was announced, and I was there to get photos and talk to the girls.  Here are the links to all my stories--all 10 of them!

Tournament of Roses announces Royal Court to reign at 2012 Rose Parade
Photo gallery: 2012 Tournament of Roses Royal Court
Rose Parade 101: How will the 2012 Rose Queen be chosen?

Profiles of the Rose Princesses (in order of photo, left to right): 
Sarah Zuno
Cynthia Louie
Morgan Devaud
Kimberly Ostiller
Drew Washington
Hanan Worku
Stephanie Hynes

That should be enough reading to keep you busy until the Rose Queen is announced on October 18!

On the way to royalty--5 finalists talk about their TOR experience

Kimberly Ostiller, Teni Jebian, Lois Gordon, Hanan Worku, Erin Green

I spoke with five of the Tournament of Roses Royal Court finalists on Thursday and posted a story in my TOR column.  They all looked like Rose Princess material to me!  Outgoing, articulate, poised, funny, girl-next-door types.

Next Monday, we will all find out who made the cut--which seven young women will ride the Royal Float along the Rose Parade route.  I have to say, I have a couple favorites.  But I won't say who.

For a picture of all 34 finalists, take a look at "34 finalists named" on Examiner.com.