It rains on the Rose Parade, but floral spectacle goes on

A powerful storm hit Southern California late Sunday and by the time the parade started Monday morning about four inches of water gushed down both sides of Colorado Blvd., the parade route.

Several hundred people had camped out overnight, but crowds were thin and front row spots were open as many who stayed pinned themselves against buildings and huddled around gas heaters.

"We’re freezing out here but it’s totally worth it,” said Maria Gonzalez, 40, who shivered and hugged her husband under an awning. "This is the most beautiful parade in the world.”

The stormy weather prompted Rose Queen Camille Clark and many band members and horse riders to don plastic ponchos.

"They are going to be a little wet on the bottom,” said Clark who also celebrated her 18th birthday on Monday. "It’s still magical. It’s my birthday. It’s a wonderful day for me.”

Many parade participants braved the 5.5-mile parade route in their original costumes — sometimes just short skirts and sleeveless T-shirts.

"I feel bad for all those marching band girls. If they stay out here like this, they’re going to get sick,” said Ken Allan, 59, who sat on a bleacher and huddled with his wife under a large umbrella.

Susan Johnson had the same worry, deciding to leave her curbside spot and go home 30 minutes after the parade began.

"I’m already so wet that if I stay, I’ll end up in the emergency room,” said Johnson, 43, from Phoenix.

Judges scrutinized the parade’s 48 floats early Monday, bestowing awards on half the entries.

The Sweepstakes award — the parade’s top honor for the float with the "most beautiful entry with outstanding floral presentation and design” — went to the float sponsored by the FTD flower delivery company.

The Farmers Insurance Group’s "Protecting Your Family” float that depicted a massive Tyrannosaurus rex shielding her baby from a pair of predatory dinosaurs was one of the crowd favorites.

The crowd also let out cheers at American Honda’s "The Power of Dreams” float that featured a 50-foot tall replica of the Statue of Liberty and a 100-foot long U.S. flag that unfurled behind her.

The college marching bands from Southern California and Texas, which will face each other Wednesday in the national championship game, drew loud applause as fans from opposing schools yelled promises of victory on the football field.

The last soggy Rose Parade was in 1955. The Tournament of Roses is traditionally held on New Year’s morning, but a never-on-Sunday rule pushed the 117th parade to Monday.

This year’s parade, titled "It’s Magical,” had retiring Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor as grand marshal. (Another Supreme Court Justice — Earl Warren — served as grand marshal the last time rain fell on the parade.)

Computer software designer Mohit Burohiti, of San Ramon, was at his first Rose Parade and debated leaving since he had only brought a light sweater.

"I want to leave, but then I see another float go by and I decide to stay a while,” said Burohiti, who watched from under an awning.

The floats included a mermaid on a sea shell chariot pulled by a pair of giant fish and Disney’s float depicted five castles from its theme parks.

For the first time in its history, the festivities included performances by artists such as Grammy-winning singer LeAnn Rimes, who performed at the start of the parade, and singer Toni Braxton, who sang aboard the "Magical Music Machine” float.

The famous magician Lance Burton also appeared on the "Your Wish Is My Command” float. The float featuring a genie and his magic carpet prompted some in the crowd to shout, "Stop the rain! Stop the rain!”

Organizers prepared for the weather. Hundreds of plastic ponchos for volunteers and parade participants were on hand, horses were fitted with skid-resistant shoes, and float-builders covered in plastic the electronic equipment that motors the floats.

The glue that holds decorations to the floats is waterproof and the floats are designed to withstand 50 mph winds.

"The only thing that froze were my hands from waving so much,” said Lisa Ely, who was "Jill” on the Bayer Advanced "Jack and the Rose Stalk” float. "But I had a blast. I’m still smiling.”

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On the Net:

Tournament of Roses: http://tournamentofroses.com<