Rose Parade Fans, Organizers Endure Cold In Pasadena

PASADENA (CBSLA.com) — Thousands of people are braving record cold to stake out prime viewing spots for Thursday morning's Rose Parade.

While the fans were whiling away the hours, organizers and the people responsible for making sure the event goes off without hitch were taking care of last-minute tasks.

The finishing touches are being put on the floats as they get ready for their national TV closeup in the morning.

"They look beautiful," Jim Jennings of Phoenix Decorators told KCAL9's Bobby Kaple on Wednesday night. "Tonight we'll move all the floats up and line 'em up on Orange Grove (Avenue), and get ready to run them down Colorado (Boulevard) tomorrow."

Large crowds had gathered on Colorado by early evening for what promised to be a bitterly cold night.

"This is my first year out here ... pretty cold," said Caleb McCoy.

There are ways to take on the cold weather.

"Lots of blankets, a couple of hoodies, hand warmers, foot warmers and prayers that it gets warmer," said Steve McCoy.

The Romo family has been spending New Year's Eve on the streets of Pasadena for years.

"We all keep chilly like penguins, we all bundle together," Tori Romo told Kaple.

This time they came prepared, bringing a space heater to help them stay warm.

"Our kids love it. Every year it's a family tradition, and when you have three kids that all want to do the same thing, then you go with it," said Kristen Romo.

Longtime parade-goers said it's worth the wait.

"My granddaughter will be coming out in the morning, so to see here wide eyes with it, and see our own kids," said Eric Pinal. " I came here my first time when I was 7 years old, I'm 51 now, so there's tradition there."

Kaple said one of the parade's sponsors, Honda, was handing out thousands of Snuggies to help people stay warm.