Oak Park family makes Rose Parade an annual tradition

PASADENA BOUND—The Driggs family of Oak Park has watched each January’s Tournament of Roses Parade curbside for more than 30 years. They went the first time and “got hooked.” While many families throughout the nation kick off the New Year by watching the Tournament of Roses Parade on television, one Oak Park woman and her family prefer watching the event curbside each year, even in the rain.

Shawna and Taylor Driggs and their four children— Nathaniel, Camille, Spencer and Rachel—who at six months will experience her first parade— have adhered to a long family tradition of personally attending the Rose Parade, a tradition that began 44 years ago with Shawna’s parents, Bruce and Helen McGregor.

After the McGregors settled in Pasadena in 1960, the family staked out a curbside location across from Leslie’s Pools on Colorado Boulevard to watch the parade firsthand.

“Taylor went once, and got hooked,” said wife Shawna.

Monday’s 117th Tournament of Roses Parade was the 36th parade that Shawna has attended. She’s only missed the parade three times in her life—including once when she served as a church representative in Spain for 18 months and another time when she was a high school teacher in Boston and was required to report to school on Jan. 2 at 7 a.m.

In keeping with the tradition, the Driggs met up with other family members last Sunday at the McGregor household, the day before the parade. The 2006 parade adhered to the “never on Sunday” theme, which was started in 1893 when officials moved the parade to Mon., Jan.2 to avoid frightening the horses tethered outside local churches.

Shawna Driggs has four siblings and between her and her husband there are 16 children and 10 spouses. In all, 28 people camped out at the McGregor’s house for this year’s parade. One of Driggs’ brothers travels from Utah each year with his six children.

“Even the college-age children come,” said Driggs. “They’ve never had a New Year’s at their own house, and wouldn’t miss out.”

For Driggs and her large family, the parade is a symbol of community and family tradition.

“Everyone is so friendly and so nice that day,” she said. “It’s such a community, neighborhood feeling.”

Diggs said that although her family members rotate saving their spot on Colorado Boulevard each year, one kindly neighbor routinely helps out with the seatsaving task.

The kids are especially thrilled with the annual spectacle.

“I pretty much like all the floats,” said Nathaniel Driggs, 8.

In the past, the Sesame Street Float was a standout for Nathaniel. He said he really enjoyed when Oscar the Grouch popped out of his trash can.

“I think it’s just a good time, other than Christmas to get together with your family,” Nathaniel said.

Driggs has thousands of fond memories of the parade. She said she particularly enjoys watching the Rose Parade grand marshalls each year. Her family loved seeing Mr. Rogers (of “Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood” fame) in 2003. The following year Fred Rogers passed away.

Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor was this year’s grand marshall.

“We usually know some of the scouts (in the parade),” said Driggs. Because the program lists the names of the participants, the Driggs enjoy rallying the entire block of spectators to yell out the names of the floats as they proceed along the 5.5mile parade route.

Camille Driggs, 5, said she enjoys getting the Rose Parade program. And Camille always looks forward to seeing the Rose Queen and her court of princesses.

“Guess what,” said a breathless Camille. “This year, there is a Miss Magical Queen Camille.” Indeed, the 2006 Tournament of Roses Queen was Camille Clark, a Pasadena resident. The parade’s theme was “It’s Magical.”