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Pasadena Chamber, Rose Parade leaders, celebrate ‘turning the corner’ at annual breakfast

With the Rose Parade less than a month away, Tournament of Roses Association President Amy Wainscott is tasked with ensuring every aspect of the century-old spectacle is in order for Monday, Jan. 2.

Despite the hectic schedule, Wainscott made time Tuesday, Dec. 6, to unite with dozens of the city’s most prominent business and philanthropic leaders during the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce’s President’s Breakfast at the Hilton Pasadena.

Tournament of Roses President Amy Wainscott receives a standing ovation after speaking during the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce President’s Breakfast with Raphael Henderson, right, chair of the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce board at the Pasadena Hilton on Tuesday, December 6, 2022. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

Raphael Henderson, chair of the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce board, during the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce President’s Breakfast at the Pasadena Hilton on Tuesday, December 6, 2022. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

Paul Little, CEO of the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce, speaks during the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce President’s Breakfast at the Pasadena Hilton on Tuesday, December 6, 2022. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

Raphael Henderson, chair of the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce board, escorts Rose Queen Bella Ballard to a table during the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce President’s Breakfast at the Pasadena Hilton on Tuesday, December 6, 2022. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

in Pasadena on Tuesday, December 6, 2022. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

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Complete with croissants, eggs Benedict and an appearance from the 2023 Royal Court, the morning offered Wainscott an opportunity to highlight the theme of this year’s parade, “Turning the Corner,” while recognizing the thousands who make the  pageant possible.

Wainscott’s term, like many presidents before her, officially began last January shortly after the conclusion of the Rose Parade.

The promotion culminated 30 years of volunteer work for the association, which is why it was important to “honor and acknowledge the 935 volunteers that put the world’s greatest parade down the street every year,” Wainscott said from the lectern over the early morning meal.

The Rose Court leaves the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce President’s Breakfast at the Pasadena Hilton on Tuesday, December 6, 2022. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

The Rose Court, from left, Rose Princesses Salia Baligh, Sahanna Rajinikanthan, Michelle Cortez-Peralta, Rose Queen Bella Ballard, Zoë Denoncourt, Uma Wittenberg and Adrian Crick, poses during the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce President’s Breakfast at the Pasadena Hilton on Tuesday, December 6, 2022. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

Rose Princess Adrian Crick is escorted to the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce President’s Breakfast at the Pasadena Hilton on Tuesday, December 6, 2022. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

Rose Princess Salia Baligh is escorted to the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce President’s Breakfast at the Pasadena Hilton on Tuesday, December 6, 2022. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

Raphael Henderson, chair of the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce board, escorts Rose Queen Bella Ballard to a table during the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce President’s Breakfast at the Pasadena Hilton on Tuesday, December 6, 2022. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

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“Some may say, ‘But isn’t it just a parade?’” she said. “A parade that just takes 935 individuals, 37 committed staff members, nine float building organizations and thousands of other volunteers to take the world on a meticulous journey. We wanted a theme that not only celebrates what we do as an organization, but highlights our ability to rebound after an incredibly difficult time for our community, our country and our world.”

In Wainscott’s opinion, “Turning the Corner” reflects the tournament’s ability to fulfill its mission as a volunteer-driven organization “with resilience, fortitude, and endurance,” she said. Since last January, though, parade organizers have learned the theme means something different to everyone.

“For our volunteer members, staff and participants it instantly transports them to Orange Grove and Colorado Boulevard,” she added. “For others, New Year’s is a time of renewal of resolutions and turning the corner in their own personal journey. That turn has meant so much to so many in the last 133 years.”

To live up to such grand expectations, Wainscott said her peers have visited nearly 4,000 musicians since February, selected 16 equestrian units, and introduced the world to a group of smart, funny, and accomplished young women.

The parade, however, is more than just clothes and horses and vintage cars, she said. “It is the mission, precision timing, collaboration, and teamwork that the tournament focuses on for 364 days – all for that one day — to share our growth as an organization and to bring joy and happiness to the world.”

Grand Marshal LeVar Burton kicked off the 133rd Rose Parade. (Photo: Brennon Dixson)

A San Diego Wildlife Alliance puppet visits the crowd during the 133rd Rose Parade in Pasadena on Saturday, January 1, 2022. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

A member of the United States Army Golden Knights Parachute Team glides over the 133rd Rose Parade in Pasadena, CA., on Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)

Tournament of Roses Grand Marshall LeVar Burton at the 133rd Rose Parade in Pasadena, CA., on Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022. (Photo by Dean Musgrove, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

The U.S. Air Force B-2 Spirit flyover at the 133rd Rose Parade in Pasadena, CA., on Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022. (Photo by Dean Musgrove, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

Volunteers working at Fiesta Floats in Irwindale on Thursday, December 30, 2021. (Photo by Dean Musgrove, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

Florograph of Kenneth “Cody” Howadanus from Norco on the Donate Life float at Fiesta Parade Floats in Irwindale on Thursday, December 30, 2021. (Photo by Dean Musgrove, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

Parade Grand Marshall and voice of the Los Angeles Dodgers Vin Scully rides in a 1950 Oldsmobile 98 Coupe Convertible during 2014 Rose Parade in Pasadena, Calif. on January 1, 2014. (Staff photo by Leo Jarzomb/ Pasadena Star-News)

The 2023 Donate Life Rose Parade float, Lifting Each Other Up, is taking shape. (Courtesy, Tournament of Roses Association)

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Pivoting to the selection of Gabby Giffords as Grand Marshall, Wainscott said, “Gabby epitomizes turning the corner, and I can tell you that she’s looking forward to her ride down Colorado Boulevard and the coin toss for this year’s Rose Bowl game.”

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Both will take place on Monday, Jan. 2, since New Year’s Day lands on a Sunday.

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