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The Grand Floral Parade, which is the Second Largest Floral Parade in the nation, (behind Pasadena), is the centerpiece of the Rose Festival. The Rose Parade has always had decorated vehicles. The 1904 parade featured decorated horse-drawn carriages, wagons and surreys and even four automobiles!
The children’s parade began in 1907. It became the East Side Street Carnival of Masqueraders and Children’s Parade in 1908. In 1936 the event was invited to become a part of the Rose Festival and today it has grown to become the largest children’s parade in the world.
Night parades also began in 1907 with the spectacular Electrical Parade, when Streetcars were decorated with electric lights. For a number of years, this parade was known as the Merry-khanna Parade, which was discontinued in 1973. Apparently some of the Rainmakers were having too much fun making the crowds wet. The parade made a comeback in 1976 as the Bicentennial Starlight Parade. The Starlight Run ushers in one of the Nation’s Largest Illuminated Parades, The Starlight Parade, where the runners dress as though it were Halloween.
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