Volunteering at the Tournament of Roses

One of my favorite things about the Tournament of Roses is the opportunity it provides for people and communities to work together. The Tournament is a great showcase of Pasadena for the world, and by participating as a volunteer – whether as a dedicated White Suiter or just a passing volunteer who helps decorate a float – you can experience the annual tradition from a different perspective.

I think we can all agree that without the work of volunteers, the Tournament of Roses would not be the event it is today. The most dedicated of the volunteer forces, from what I’ve seen, are the members of the Tournament of Roses Association, also known as White Suiters because of the signature white suit they wear.

White Suiters

These members are volunteers who give up evenings, weekends and holidays to keep the Rose Parade and Rose Bowl running smoothly. The nonprofit association takes its volunteers’ commitment seriously, and not just anyone is eligible. To apply, you must:

• Have two reference letters,
• Live or be employed within 15 miles of Pasadena City Hall.
• Be at least 21 and no older than 64 prior to the third Thursday in January in the calendar year.
  The full list of membership criteria is longer, but these are the primary requirements.

New members are also asked to make a sizeable time commitment. Usually, they spend about 40 hours a year on committee work, most often during the last few weeks of the year. Members pay annual dues of $55 to $100, depending on the membership level;  must purchase a white suit and accessories ($300 to $400); participate in several assignments; work on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.

Other volunteer work

Of course, if you’re looking for less commitment, there are other ways to contribute to the Tournament of Roses.  You could offer to help decorate floats. There is a float decoration page that provides contact information about float builders. Among the builders listed are La Canada Flintridge Tournament of Roses Association and South Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association. If in doubt, contact your community to find out if they are participating in some way. The City of South Pasadena and the San Marino Centennial are among groups participating in float parade.

The success of the Tournament of Roses is in part due to the great work of our volunteers. Joining that effort can enrich the Tournament experience and give you a whole new perspective on this great Pasadena tradition.