Ready to roll

After months of work and days of last-minute decorating, Downey's entry in the 2012 Rose Parade is ready to roll.

Lots of people were present to see the christening of the float before it set off on its journey to Pasadena. The float will take 5 to 6 hours to cover the 18 miles by surface streets.

I saw just how slowly the float travels when I passed it on the road about an hour later on my way to pick up some dinner—and again about 45 minutes later as I got back home. It was just barely leaving the Downey city limits.

This year's Rose Parade is taking place on January 2 rather than on January 1. Apparently this is a long-standing tradition, ever since the first Rose Parade was held in 1893. The policy was put in place "to avoid frightening horses tethered outside local churches and thus interfering with worship services."