With the Tournament of Roses theme for the 2203 Rose Parade announced as "Children’s’ Dreams, Wishes, and Imagination," it seemed as an easy choice for the members of the South Pasadena Tournament of Roses Committee to chose " The Circus Comes to Town" as its entry.
Early in the 1900’s trains brought circuses through South Pasadena on the way to Pasadena. Some of the "old timers" remember standing by the train tracks watching the circus train go through town. They were able to relive their memories as the 155-ft. entry, complete with a floral covered 4-4-0 American class steam locomotive, tooted its way down Colorado Blvd. Clowns, giraffes, lions, tigers, and a ringmaster provided flower-covered train cars with a profusion of color. Cranberry seeds and forms of dried grass added to the color scheme. The train windows were made of lunira, a transparent leaf.
At 155-ft., this fabulous entry earned a new "first" at being the longest float ever entered in the Rose Parade. The 6 operators and more the 10 clowns provided entertainment during the entire route of more than five miles. A real steam whistle and smoke coming out of the smoke stacks added authenticity.