The common belief is that the Pasadena Rose Parade was not held on New Year's Day right after Pearl Harbor. But there actually was a parade, as documented by the Star News on Jan. 1, 1942! My father was one of the marchers.
Pasadena Star News / January 1, 1942 / Part 2, page 11
(Click on an image to see it larger)
Photo heading and caption:
Deserted Streets and Empty Tournament of Roses Chairs Fail to Daunt Victory Spirit in Pasadena
Boys of Bulldog Band march in V formation in token parade. Left to right: Jacob Oberlies, Rodney Woodruff, Hugh Denslow, Darrell Meaders, Hugh Woodruff, Gordon Johnson, Arthur Nelson, Robert Patterson. Jack MaeLeod, Robert Schottle, James Moore, Allen Ahlman, Spencer Kingsley, Joseph Goddard, Harold White and Verne Tappon.
Right-side article text:
Sixteen Boys Carry On Rose Tourney's Spirit With Impromptu Parade
Bulldog Band Members March On Colorado Street With Martial Music; Queen Dolores Broadcasts To The Nation
Strange as it seemed to the few people on the streets at 9:30 o'clock today, the 53rd annual Tournament of Roses Parade tradition carried on.
Sixteen boys, members of the famous Pasadena Bulldog Band of their own accord met at the flagpole on Colorado Street and Orange Grove Avenue and headed by Jack MacLeod, marched down the parade route, playing martial music and singing the stirring words of "Strong Hearted Men."
The names of the boys, all to go down in history as those preserving Tournament history, are: Jacob Oberlies, Rodney Woodruff, Hugh Denslow, Darrell Meaders, Hugh Woodruff, Gordon Johnson, Arthur Nelson, Robert Patterson, Jack MacLeod, Robert Schottle, James Moore, Allen Ahlman, Spencer Kingman, Joe Goddard, Harold White and Wayne Tappon.
Plan Spontaneous
According to young MacLeod, the entire event was spontaneous. Audre Stong, conductor of the band, said MacLeod, was informed of the plan. While he didn't give his official approval of the idea, he didn't say "no" and so it was that the 53rd Tournament of Roses Parade was formed.
Down the street traffic officers sensed the spirit of the event. The boys marched through the red lights, while from windows and along the sidewalks there were cheers. Later the boys serpentined their way along Colorado Street - along the parade route, in reverse.
Queen, Court Ride Route
It was revealed later that there had been a "token parade" with the Queen of the Tournament of Roses and her six Princesses riding in a private undecorated automobile. Few pedestrians recognized them. James K. Ingham, acting president of the Tournament of Roses Association, cheerfully complied with request from Army officials that nothing be done to attract a crowd of more than 5000.
So, the boys of the Bulldog Band, acting on their own initiative, which by the way seems to be the habit of young America, organized and presented to Pasadena its 53rd Annual Tournament of Roses Parade.
Queen in Rose Bowl
Queen Dolores Jean Brubach, her six princesses and officials of the Tournament of Roses (unreadable) the broadcasting booth at the famous Pasadena Rose Bowl and, during "half time," sent messages to Durham, N. C., where today Oregon State University met Duke in the annual New Year's Day football classic.
The small group looked out from the windows of the broadcasting booth upon empty seats, where for many years more than 90,000 fans witnessed the contests that thrilled a nation.
Ken Carpenter, N..B. C.'s ace broadcaster, was at the microphone when the connection was made between the Rose Bowl in Pasadena and Durham.
Greetings Broadcast
In charge at Durham was Bill Stearns. He extended his greetings to Pasadena acros the 3000 miles of air and congratulated this city upon its Tournament for Victory which has replaced the world-renowned Tournament of Roses.
Queen Dolores spoke briefly, told how Pasadena had changed its Tournament of Roses to a Tournament for Victory. Her six princesses were at her side. Attending also were James K. Ingham, vice-president of the Tournament of Roses Association, acting president in the absence of Robert M. McCurdy, whose voice was heard over the air from Durham, William H. Nich- olas, manager of the Rose Bowl, acted as co-host of the small gathering, with Mr. Reynolds.
Prior to the Rose Bowl broadcast, tournament officials met at the home of Lathrop K. Leishman, past president of the Tournament of Roses Association, to hear the start of the football game, and from the Leishman home, they proceeded to the Rose Bowl.
In contrast to past years, Tournament headquarters during the day was one of the quietest places in the city. William Dunkerley, tournament manager, is in Durham, as is President Robert M. McCurdy. In charge during the day were Jessie L. Ogston, assistant manager of the Chamber of Commerce, and Ray C. Maple, assistant manager of the Tournament of Roses Association.