From Dec. 27, 2002 to Jan. 3, 2003, over 700 Pride of the Dakotas Marching Band members, faculty, friends and family went to Southern California for the 114th Annual Tournament of Roses Parade held Jan. 1, 2003.

The Pride, the sixth entrant in the parade and the first non-military band, arrived in Pasadena, Calif., the site of the Rose Parade, by 6:30 a.m. They were also the only representatives of South Dakota. While waiting for the Parade to start, the Pride entertained the crowd by playing a few songs.

A cheer started the 5-mile, two-hour parade. Parade watchers packed bleachers like those at Coughlin Alumni Stadium along the first mile of the parade route.

The Pride played non-stop the first mile, impressing the crowd with straight lines and a loud sound.

The rest of the Tournament of Roses Parade went well. The temperature was a cool 50 degrees, though the temperature was warmer by the time the Pride finished the Parade.

Out of 1,500 band members who participate in the Tournament of Roses Parade each year, usually 80 people drop out while marching the route. Only two Pride members dropped out, due to illness. Overall, the Rose Bowl Parade was a success.

The South Dakotans had the opportunity to sight-see and visit many famous places in and around the Los Angeles area.

One such place was a play called “The Glory of Christmas,” held at the Crystal Cathedral. Based on the birth of Jesus in the manger, the play featured many traditional Christmas songs. Live animals, including horses, sheep and camels were also part of the show.

Another highlight for the Pride was playing in “Magic Music Days Showcase Parade” in Disneyland. The Pride also played in Band Fest at Pasadena City College.

Band Fest is a showcase of the bands in the Rose Parade. The Pride was the only college band to participate, except for the two colleges who participated in the Rose Bowl Game.

After Band Fest, Pride members learned how the floats participating in the Tournament of Roses Parade were made. Each float has a cardboard and steel structure. From there, various flowers are placed on the float. All of the floats in the parade are made with flower petals.

A concert at Santa Monica Pier was also a highlight of the California trip. The Pride played for a large crowd, then enjoyed shopping, going on rides and looking at the ocean. A brief visit to Hollywood produced pictures of movie stars’ signatures.

In San Diego, the Pride visited Sea World, where they got to see dolphins, seals, sharks and Shamu.

SDSU President Peggy Gordon Miller helped fundraise for the trip by paying half the cost for each band member. To raise the other $650, each band member sold raffle tickets for like-new Volkswagen Beetles.

#1.887652:22526754.jpg:pride2.jpg:For just over a week bridging years 2002 and 2003, the Pride of the Dakotas Marching Band visited California to play, have fun, represent South Dakota, and ultimately, to march in the 114th Annual Tournament of Roses Parade on Jan. 1, 2003. :courtesy of Eric Landwehr/University Relations

Looking back at the trip to California, I realize that California holds a completely different life than South Dakota. And there are a lot of things that surprised me about California.

First of all, I had trouble remembering that it was December because the weather was so mild in California.

The temperature hardly dipped below 40 degrees. At 5 a.m., I could walk out onto my balcony without any socks on and it would already be 50 degrees. To anyone who hates South Dakota winters, I suggest you hibernate in California.

It has come to my attention that on T.V. it looked really cold at the Rose Bowl Parade. If you lived in California, I suppose it would look cold. The Pride was lined up for the Parade by 6:30 a.m. Although I do not know what the temperature was at that time, I do know that I have marched in colder Hobo Day Parades. If I had to guess it was maybe 50 degrees. By the end of the parade it was at least 65 degrees.

The band found it funny that the Californians had on there winter coats, gloves, hats and blankets. They thought it was so cold out. In fact, the entire trip was like that. There would be some Pride members in shorts, and next to them was Californians in winter coats.

While waiting for the parade to begin, the Californians asked me what the weather was like at this time of year in South Dakota. I informed them that although it was a mild year with no snow, the high was maybe 20 degrees. Their eyes would open wide and they would walk away. I do not think they could comprehend how cold 20 degrees was.

Something that surprised me about California was how clean it was. There were a few homeless people at Santa Monica Pier and in L.A., but overall, California was not that bad.

Another thing that surprised me was Hollywood. That is a dirty place. The buildings are run-down and the shops are dirty. There are a few nice buildings – the ones shown on television. But, the prices in Hollywood are cheap compared to the rest of California.

One thing that got annoying to me was everyone saying that we were from San Diego State University (SDSU). One lady even announced to anyone to listen that we were wearing SDSU’s wrong colors. We informed her that we were from South Dakota, and she turned and walked away.

People wanted to know where in South Dakota we were from. When we said, “Brookings,” they would ask where it’s located. Then we would have to explain to them we live north of Sioux Falls, or on the other side of the state from Rapid City, or my favorite, 5 hours west of Minneapolis.

Despite all that, California was a lot of fun.

It was fun marching in the parade. I was on the end of a line, and I heard people compliment our lines, our playing and how loud we were.

The parade got long, but the band had its moments. Seeing all the parents and fans who came with us sitting in the crowd, cheering loudly for us was a boost. We went underneath an overpass, and our noise just echoed and gave us another boost. The final boost came when we saw our buses ahead, and we knew we were done.

The Pride of the Dakotas in the Rose Bowl Parade: It was a trip no one will forget. I know I will always remember it.