City of San Bernardino California

Rose Parade Floats

(All photographs, unless otherwise noted, are courtesy of Steve Shaw of the San Bernardino Historical and Pioneer Society)

(Click on each color photograph to enlarge)

The last time the City of San Bernardino participated in the Rose Parade was in 1988, with an entry called "Sharing the Joy of the Holidays".

Tournament of Roses Logo

According to the official history of the Tournament of Roses:

"The first Tournament of Roses was staged in 1890 by members of Pasadena's Valley Hunt Club, former residents of the East and Midwest eager to showcase their new home's mild winter weather. 'In New York, people are buried in snow,' announced Professor Charles F. Holder at a Club meeting. 'Here our flowers are blooming and our oranges are about to bear. Let's hold a festival to tell the world about our paradise'."

During the next few years, the festival expanded to include marching bands and motorized floats. In 1978, the City of San Bernardino entered its first float in the Rose Parade (the 89^th year of the Parade). The City's float was titled, "Gateway to Early California" and it won the Pioneers Trophy.

1978, "Gateway to Early California", Winner of the Pioneers Trophy

1979, "Early California Derby", Winner of Pioneers Trophy

1980, "Easter Parade", Winner of the Queen's Trophy

San Bernardino Rose Parade Float - Wonder of Spring
1981, "The Wonder of Spring", Winner of 1^st Place in its Division
(Image taken from the SUN newspaper)

1982, "A Universal Dream Come True", Winner of 2^nd Place in its Division

1983, "Parade of Roses", Winner of 2^nd Place in its Division

1984, The Lands of Enchantment", Winner of the 1^st Princess Trophy

1985, "Tale of the American West"

1986, "Elixir of Life: The Great American Medicine Show"

1987, "Festivals of Fantasy", Winner of 1^st Place in its Division
Float overheated and was towed for five miles.

1988, "Sharing the Joy of the Holidays"

San Bernardino's 1890 Horse-Drawn Hose Wagon

1988 was the last year that the City of San Bernardino had an official entry in the Tournament of Roses Parade. However, it was not the last time that the City was part of the Parade. From time to time the California State Firefighter's Association (CSFA) participates in the Rose Parade with antique apparatus from various cities.

Hose Wagon that was built by the Allen Iron Works

In April 1896, the hose wagon, used by the City of San Bernardino since 1890, was made stronger and became the first ball-bearing fire apparatus on the West Coast. In 1992, the old 1890 hose wagon was discovered, and looked like it had been exposed to the elements since the fire department sold it in the 1920s.

A restoration project was begun, but it stalled after several years and the parts put in storage. In 1996, the wagon was moved to the Pioneer Fire Museum in San Bernardino where the restoration was completed. The City of San Bernardino's Fire Department (SBFD) 1890 horse-drawn Hose Wagon (now belonging to the San Bernardino Historical and Pioneer Society) participated in several recent Rose Parades.

This same Hose Wagon was featured in the 2008 Rose Parade. Riding in the hose wagon was:

Patrick J. Morris - Mayor, City of San Bernardino
Maggie Willis - 11 year old grand daughter of Mayor Pat Morris
Michael J. Conrad - Fire Chief, City of San Bernardino
Pat A. Dennen - Fire Chief, San Bernardino County
Gail Shaw - Treasurer & Membership Secretary, San Bernardino Historical & Pioneer Society

Walking:

Allen Bone - Vice-President, San Bernardino Historical & Pioneer Society

The theme of the parade will be: "Passport to the World's Celebrations". Accordingly, flags and helmets from different countries around the world will be on display.

In the parade lineup, the hose wagon will be #35 out of 97 entries.

1997 - SBFD 1890 horse-drawn Hose Wagon with CSFA Steam Pumper, Fresno Ladder Truck and San Luis Obispo Hose Wagon.

1999 - SBFD 1890 horse-drawn Hose Wagon with CSFA Steam Pumper, Fresno Ladder Truck.

SBFD 1890 horse-drawn Hose Wagon with SBFD 1878 hand-drawn Hose Cart, Los Angeles County Hand Pumper, CSFA Steam Pumper, and Fresno Ladder Truck

2001 - SBFD 1890 horse-drawn Hose Wagon with SBFD 1878 hand-drawn Hose Cart, Los Angeles County Hand Pumper, CSFA Steam Pumper, and Fresno Ladder Truck.

2004 - SBFD 1890 horse-drawn Hose Wagon with CSFA Steam Pumper, Fresno Ladder Truck and Color Guard from Orange County Fire Department.

2005 - SBFD 1890 horse-drawn Hose Wagon with CSFA Steam Pumper, Fresno Ladder Truck and Color Guard from the United States Forest Service.

SBFD 1890 horse-drawn Hose Wagon with CSFA Steam Pumper, Ladder Truck and Hose Wagon from Native Sons of the Golden West #59 from Northern California, and Color Guard from the Orange County Fire Department

2006 - SBFD 1890 horse-drawn Hose Wagon with CSFA Steam Pumper, Ladder Truck and Hose Wagon from Native Sons of the Golden West #59 from Northern California, and Color Guard from the Orange County Fire Department.

2008 - SBFD 1890 horse-drawn Hose Wagon. Riding in the hose wagon was; Patrick J. Morris - Mayor, City of San Bernardino, Maggie Willis - 11 year old grand daughter of Mayor Pat Morris, Michael J. Conrad - Fire Chief, City of San Bernardino, Pat A. Dennen - Fire Chief, San Bernardino County, Gail Shaw - Treasurer & Membership Secretary, City of San Bernardino Historical & Pioneer Society. Walking next to the wagon was Allen Bone - Vice-President, City of San Bernardino Historical & Pioneer Society

National Orange Show in the Rose Parade

San Bernardino has received recognition in the Rose Parade for decades, thanks to the participation of The National Orange Show. The first entry by the National Orange Show was in 1917 and often the name "San Bernardino" was highlighted on the front, the back or the sides of the float.

1917 - National Orange Show Rose Parade Float
1917 - National Orange Show