Pasadena, Calif. - Wrigley Mansion, the 1906 estate once owned by chewing gum mogul William Wrigley, has served as the official headquarters of the Tournament of Roses, since 1958. Wrigley Gardens feature 4.5 acres of more than 1,500 varieties of roses, camellias and annuals. We took a little tour:
MORE: Behind the scenes at the Rose Bowl
Our corporate cousin Walter Reeves dispenses tips on growing roses and everything else from 6 to 9 a.m. Saturdays on News 95.5 and AM 750/WSB . We'll join him during this Saturday's broadcast to talk roses and a preview of the parade.
Even if football is more your thing than flowers, you ultimately have roses to thank for the University of Georgia's trip here for the 2018 Rose Bowl. The city of Pasadena's Valley Hunt Club dreamed up the event in 1890 as a way of luring frostbitten east coast residents to visit.
"In New York, people are buried in snow," Professor Charles F. Holder declared at a Club meeting, according to tournament history. "Here our flowers are blooming and our oranges are about to bear. Let's hold a festival to tell the world about our paradise."
Indeed. Check out these beauties:
Credit: Jennifer Brett
Credit: Jennifer Brett
Football didn't show up until 1902 (Michigan over Stanford, 49-0) and wasn't a permanent fixture until 1916.
This year's parade theme is "Making a Difference," and actor Gary Sinise, known for his role as Lt. Dan in Savannah-filmed "Forrest Gump" in addition to his philanthropic work on behalf of veterans, is grand marshal. The event starts at 5 a.m. Monday, ahead of the UGA-Oklahoma matchup at 2 p.m.
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