A third - generation Pasadenan , Fred Balian has been cruising the Parade path since his adolescent , but in 2006 he determine to make it prescribed by becoming a Member .
Born at St. Luke ’s Hospital and farm in beautiful Pasadena , Fred graduated from John Muir High School and Pasadena City College . Fred grow up working at the folk ice - ointment occupation , but after the tragical passage of his father , he turned to vivid fine art and photographic print management , where his career has been ever since . From a pressman to sales to finally becoming a broker , Fred has always enjoyed and valued the idea of taking a conception and making it into a realism , just like the Rose Parade .
A life - long resident of Pasadena , Fred has not only create a lifespan of memory board over the year but has also find many of the area ’s variety — from the construction of the 210 freeway to the rebirth of Old Town Pasadena and Parsons Engineering military headquarters . He even had his high schooling graduation at the Rose Bowl Stadium .
Today , Fred lives in Altadena with his wife of 38 long time , Laurice , and together , they have one girl , Michelle . In his spare time , Fred enjoy work in the yard , going to museums , learning account , playing card or chess , and will always make clock time for a day at the races . He is also an avid walker and recently started doing yoga .
Fred ’s connection to the Tournament is longsighted and varied . In his untested years , Fred and his friends break down out all Nox on New Year ’s Eve , walk the parade route . When they got cars , they would go cruising down the path , have got tortillas and marshmallows thrown at them . Eventually , Fred upgraded to sitting in the grandstands with his admirer and family . And in the late 1980s , Fred ’s family even had a float entry in the Parade .
Along the way , many friend further Fred to join the Pasadena Tournament of Roses , but in the end , it was the rich history and custom of the Tournament in the Pasadena residential district that head him to join in 2006 .
As Fred continues his employment with the Tournament , he hop-skip to gain more experience and knowledge from work and his fellow member . But beyond the body of work and lessons , there are also friendships . “ I ’ve fulfill so many outstanding extremity ( and staff ) , who have become booster outside of Tournament , and I can only hope to meet many more as new Members come in and I have the opportunity to wreak with new masses , ” said Fred . To anyone looking to join , Fred has this advice : “ You ’re not only link this honored organization to offer for the best New Year ’s parade , but also you ’re reach a home . ”
When asked about his favorite computer storage as a Member , Fred recollect his clock time on the Transportation Committee and the honor of driving Grand Marshal Ken Burns and his family around town . “ It was especially cool for me since I ’m a immense rooter of him and his documentaries , ” said Fred . While the full experience was a high spot , it was the twenty-four hour period after the Parade , when Fred drove Ken and his class to Disneyland , that he remembers best . “ It was in truth a sorcerous experience spending time with Ken and his family , ” said Fred .
As we pitch up for Royal Court audition , Fred could n’t help but talk about his time on the Queen & Court Committee . “ On that committee , you meet so many new hoi polloi and visit new positioning . I had the opportunity to meet the Frank fellowship , the owners of Lawry ’s Restaurants , Inc. , and former Los Angeles District Attorney Jon Van de Kamp . I also rode in the Good Year Blimp , a once - a - lifetime opportunity he will always treasure . ”
For more information : Pasadena Tournament of Roses[email protected]tournamentofroses.com
