2020 Tournament of Roses Rose Parade Road Tests #5 and #6, breakfasts at Michael's Superburgers (Irwindale) and other (regular) stops

mmm-yoso!!! is primarily a food blog.  So many events revolve around finding a place for a meal.  Cathy (and Her Mister) have a regular pastime of viewing the Tournament of Roses Rose Parade floats being tested for mechanics and maneuverability before being decorated and participating in the Parade on January 1.  Here's another post.

Link to Road Test #1

Link to Road Test #2

Link to Road Test #3

Link to Road Test #4

The Tournament of Roses is only a few weeks away. There are so many activities which will happen the week between Christmas and January 2- you can find comprehensive and updated listings in The Rose Examiner.  The tournament is not just the Parade and the football game; there is Bandfest, Equestfest, Sip and Savor, Rose Bowl Bash, Rose Bowl Hall of Fame Induction and the Showcase of Floats.  So much to see and do to ring in the New Year!

The past few months have been unusually busy for The Mister and myself that I didn't post the October Float Road Test at Phoenix Decorating Company in Irwindale. Here are a few photos (some are 'before and after') of both test days.

"Planting Seeds of Hope", presented by the Sikh American Float Foundation, describes the 2020 float: "Bhai Ghaneya Singh, a devout Sikh, leads the float as he symbolically pours water from his sheepskin vessel. He is remembered for his selfless service to all humanity with love, respect, compassion and humility. The water flows onto large sculpted flowers each supporting children from diverse backgrounds. A fantasy garden provides the backdrop to a nurturing environment in which we celebrate our greatest hope for the future....our children." Each year, I learn something from the Sikh float.
The SCAN Foundation has a float in the Rose Parade for the first time.  The title of "Hope's Heroes" reflects the definition of this organization, "an independent public charity devoted to transforming care for older adults in ways that preserve dignity and encourage independence".
Shriners Hospitals for Children has the theme of "Hope Knows No Limits" and features Fezzy Bear pushing a young girl, with a below the knee prosthesis, on a swing.
Trader Joe, the Fearless Flyer, is depicted on the 2020 float, "It Takes a Flight of Fancy"... 
 spinning in a pickle barrel!Western Asset's 2020 Rose Parade entry, "Growing a Better Tomorrow" is quite a large float, depicting a series of tree houses in an exotic setting.  Magnificent!
The 'Banner Float" is colored in and ready to be decorated to display the theme of the parade at the start.  
The final two floats of the parade
 will relay the upcoming Tournament of Roses Rose Bowl football game, to be played at 2 p.m. on January 1.

Decorating (dry/detail) begins Saturday December 7 (and the following Saturdays before Christmas) then the fresh flowers arrive and daily decorating from December 26 forward.  There are links to sign up for volunteering on the Phoenix Decorating Company site.

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On to the Food portion of the blog.  In October, The Mister and I stopped at 'the usual' place- Cream Pan in Tustin for a sandwich, a ham and cheese croissant and a strawberry croissant.  After the float road test, we (again) returned to Portos in West Covina, where we shared  an "Omelette Plato" ($6.45)-a cheese omelette topped with avocado and tomato which comes with crispy Spanish potatoes and an arugula salad tossed with a lemon vinaigrette.  Filling, refreshing and there's enough room for other items...since this was the last weekend of October,  
 Dia de los Muerto decorated cookies and Pan de Muertos were purchased.  The soft, eggy bread was filled with candied orange peel and orange blossom water; a wonderful bread.  

Also, seasonal potato balls were available:  filled with turkey, gravy and vegetables, rolled in a well seasoned crust, these are a very special treat (and only $1.05!). [photo credit to canine cologne] 

We stopped at the Kolache Factory yesterday and  the seasonal turkey with stuffing kolache was available (along with our 'always order' of a bacon and cheese kolache).  Seasonal offerings are always special.  

When leaving the Road Test, we went one signal light South and then East to the next signal light. On the Southwest corner of Arrow Highway and Vincent, this signage made me take a turn into the parking lot. 
The breakfast menu behind the counter is straightforward.  
I haven't ordered a bacon and egg sandwich ($6.99) in a while; have forgotten what I am missing.  White bread, mayonnaise, lettuce, tomato, four thick slices of crispy bacon and a beautiful runny egg. Simple perfection.  
 The Mister ordered a chili cheese omelet ($9.99).  At least there eggs, filled with cheese, topped with a really good chili that was topped with more cheese.  Again, perfection. His toast was sourdough, the hash browns were wonderfully crisp. 

Need to stop at the local places; follow the New Year Resolution.

Michael's Superburgers 16350 Arrow Highway Irwindale, CA 91706 Open daily 6 a.m.-midnight Website

 The Cowboy Channel has a float in the parade; it's under construction. Link to artist rendition of some of the 2020 Rose Parade floats

 

 

Comments

[caninecologne]

Another great float update Cathy! You and the Mister will be busy in December! I think this year, Bert and I will finally take a trip to see the floats after the parade. I want to see them in person after having seen a few float road tests while in their early stages. I am looking forward to seeing the Trader Joe's float "in action". As always, stopping at local spots is always an adventure...

[kat]

these floats are so amazing!

[Soo]

Thanks for the cool float photos! Looking forward to seeing the parade on tv.

Cool Dia de los Muerto snacks. I've never visited Porto's for the holiday . Wish they had a San Diego location.

I wonder what a super burger is like.

[caninecologne]

The turkey and gravy filled potato balls were delicious!

[Cathy]

Thanks, cc. I read on The Rose Examiner page that entry to the Showcase of floats will be $20 this year-I remember when it was free and then went up to $2! We are trying to avoid Portos both to not have a repetitious food post and to try so much else that is out there...difficult.
The construction and steps to the final/presented float are so interesting, Kat. The Mister and I enjoy 'how things work' and the engineering is more interesting each year.
There will be 45 total floats in the parade, Soo: two other major float companies plus six 'self made'. The parade will be wonderful (with hopefully no 'incidents' like this past January). Portos will have Christmas treats as well as a Rosca de Reyes, which I am eager to try; the family owned business seems to want to remain in Los Angeles County, which does make it special.
I forgot to give you credit for the photo, cc! It's good you had some restraint and were able to take a photo of the turkey filled potato balls; we had zero restraint...

[caninecologne]

Ha ha I forgot about that photo!