PASADENA, Calif. – As the final touches are made on the floats that will grace Colorado Boulevard come New Year’s Day, it is the last chance for spectators to actually stop and smell the roses.

“It’s an amazing experience. It’s great,” says Becky Voelker who is visiting from Wisconsin.

Becky Voelker and Jennifer Longsine from Kimberly, Wisconsin are first-time parade goers getting the chance to tour the floats up-close ahead of the Parade. Each has a special place in their hearts for the event. Voelker’s grandma passed away earlier this year and she is getting the chance to live out a dream for both of them.

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“I used to watch this parade with my grandma, for probably 45-plus years. And she passed away this year so it’s meant to be actually,” Voelker says.

Longsine’s son plays for the Wisconsin Badgers, which is one of the teams represented in the Rose Bowl.

“My son is Logan Bruss, he’s number 60. He’s the right tackle for the Badgers. Very excited to be here. It’s a dream come true. Everybody wants to the Rose Bowl and we finally made it,” says Longsine.

As for the preparations themselves, local South Hills High School student Brianna Ueland is decorating the Badgers float and the other team represented the Oregon Ducks. She has been working for the parade for four years and estimates they use about 200,000 flowers on these floats. She is part of the next generation keeping this 131-year-old tradition alive.

“I’m just proud. I’m so proud that we did that. I’m so proud of all the people that worked on it. I just think back, and I’m like, ‘Wow, we did this, this year. We got through it. And it’s just amazing,” says Ueland.

More than 800,000 spectators from all over the world are expected to convene in Pasadena for the Parade. Longsine and Voelker got the chance to add their own personal touches.

“I actually walked into this building and started to cry,” says Voelker.

Taking it all in for these spectators it’s coming up all roses.