56 Biola Alumni joined the estimated 1 million spectators at the 2010 Rose Parade:  A Cut Above the Rest, on January 1.  Alumni met bright and early at the Biola campus for this first-time venture to Colorado Boulevard.  After a hearty breakfast provided by BonAppetit, the Alumni traveled to the parade grounds via chartered coach.

Biola Alumnus, Howard Parker, enjoyed the live parade alongside his family.  “Nicole, our daughter, decided that watching it on TV just isn’t adequate anymore,” Parker said. 

Pilot Chesley B. “Sully” Sullenberger III led the parade as Grand Marshal.  Alumni heard the first-ever Ohio School for the Blind Marching Band, saw Jackie Chan aboard the Shanghai World Expo float, witnessed a Blue Angel fly-over, and were entertained by a Guinness Book of World Records float called “Hot Doggin’- Going for the Gold”.  This float, created by the Dick Van Patten’s Natural Balance Pet Foods Group, featured a moving winter chairlift and live snowboarding bulldogs!

Senior Director, Rick Bee (’79, ’90, ’01), was in attendance with his wife Julie (’80).  “The event was great, the floats were amazing, and the food was delicious! A bus and reserved seating are the only way to go!  Having lived in California for 30 years, this was the first time we’ve ever been, and we were not disappointed!”

This event is sure to become a new alumni event tradition in the years to come.  If you missed out on the parade this year, remember to book early for your chance to join the alumni team in 2011! 

There are still several exciting events being offered during the conclusion of the ’09-’10 events calendar.  For more information, check out our website at www.biola.edu/alumni.