Heartwarming moments defy chill at Rose Parade

PASADENA, Calif. (AP) — A couple who became husband and wife on the “Love Float,” a surprise reunion between a returning soldier and his little boy, and a grand marshal famed globally for her chimpanzee research were among the highlights of the 124th Rose Parade on Tuesday.

The parade’s spectacular 42 floral floats brightened an otherwise cloudy New Year’s morning and boosted the spirits of a chilled crowd estimated at some 700,000 spectators lining the five-mile route.

Spectators rose to a standing ovation when Army Sgt. 1st Class Eric Pazz, who was riding on the Natural Balance Pet Foods float along with other service members, got off the float and walked over to his surprised wife, Miriam, and 4-year-old son, Eric Jr., who came running out of the stands into the arms of his 32-year-old father.

Mrs. Pazz was told she had won a contest to attend the parade and did not know her husband, who is deployed in Afghanistan, would be there. Sgt. Pazz is a highly decorated soldier who also served in Iraq. The family, who currently lives in Germany, climbed aboard the float for the rest of the route.

Cheers also went up for a Chesapeake, Va., couple who tied the knot aboard the Farmers Insurance “Love Float.”

Gerald Sapienza and Nicole Angelillo were high school classmates who reconnected 10 years later and won the parade wedding over three other couples in a nationwide contest. They received a trip to Pasadena, a wedding gown, tuxedo, rings, marriage license fees, Rose Bowl game tickets, and hair and makeup for the bride.

The parade’s theme this year was “Oh the Places You’ll Go!” named in honor of the Dr. Seuss book. It served as a fitting slogan for the grand marshal, British primatologist Jane Goodall, who has spent much of her life in Tanzania studying chimpanzees.

Mrs. Goodall chose conservation as her message for the parade, which also featured 23 marching bands and 21 equestrian units from around the world.

“My dream for this New Year's Day is for everyone to think of the places we can all go if we work together to make our world a better place,” Mrs. Goodall, 78, said.

“Every journey starts with a step, and I am pleased to see the Tournament of Roses continue to take steps toward not only celebrating beauty and imagination, but also a cleaner environment,” she said.

This year’s parade also saw the first-ever float entered by the Defense Department.

The $247,000 military float was a replica of the Korean War Veterans Memorial in Washington to commemorate the veterans from that conflict.

The float that scooped up the parade’s grand “Sweepstakes” prize for the most beautiful floral presentation and design was “Dreaming in Paradise” by fruit and vegetable producer Dole.

Parade participants included a more than 200-member band from El Salvador, dancers from Costa Rica and equestriennes from Canada.

Die-hard parade fans staked out their spots early Monday with folding chairs, hammocks and portable barbeque grills. They brought in the new year by throwing marshmallows, shaving cream and tortillas, and then hunkered down to stay warm in sleeping bags during a particularly frigid night for Southern California.

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