Councilman Ken Ibarra - Chair
Above is an example of a float from the 1950
Entry from Belle Air School
San Bruno Tin School House
San Bruno Posy Parade The flower-decked floats and entries in this children's parade were judged on how they best represented the theme chosen for that year. The oldest children's parade in the United States, it was first held in 1941 as a "festival of flowers" dedicated to children. Patterned after the famous Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, this parade was advertised as "The Tournament of Posies Parade." Eighty children marched in the first parade. Any child could enter and march as long as flowers predominated in the decoration of their tricycles, buggies, pets, etc. The paraders were grouped into "divisions." Division 1 included wagons, wheelbarrows, or carts that were pushed or pulled. Division 2 was tricycles, scooters, non-motorized "autos," velocipedes or wheeled toys, excluding bicycles. Division 3 was for doll or baby carriages. Division 4 was for "unique or original ideas." Division 5 was only for bicycles, and Division 6 was floats from children's organizations. No motorized vehicles were permitted. Beginning in 1944, a San Bruno schoolgirl was selected as Parade Princess, accompanied by a "court" of other young girls, all dressed in finery and flowers. In 1945, the Posy Parade Ball was inaugurated as a fund-raiser. In 1989, the 49th Posy Parade became the focal point of San Bruno 75th anniversary. But in 1991, a seemingly innocuous change in the parade's divisions significantly altered the look and success of future parades. Division 1 became "Baseball," and later simply "Sports" (teams). Teams are allowed to march without any kind of floral decoration, so, by the end of the decade, the parade had deteriorated into dozens of sports teams, marching in uniform. By 1999, there were only three decorated carriage/buggy entries and only two cart/wagon entries. Other factors have also contributed to the Parade's decline: the urbanization of San Bruno, once a primarily rural community; working mothers with less time to devote to such a social event; the continued decline in support of local businesses. The parade was carried on in the 1990s: a princess and her court are still selected; the mayor still rides in a snorkel fire truck, a few bands march, as do the ubiquitous sports teams. But the parade does not have the flair nor the crowds of days gone by. Still, it is the city's unique claim to fame, and it is hoped that the tradition will survive. Originally submitted by: Tom Lantos, Representative (12th District). |
| 2007
Participants My son and daughter won first and second prize today in the Posy Parade. Alex was in a carriage that was decorated with the name of each SBPSD school name, mascot and colors. He won first. Alyssa pushed her baby doll stroller decorated with flowers and won second. Everyone commented on Alex's carriage and were excited to see all of the school's respresented. Jen Jweinat   |
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 Evelyn Leech Marten reports "Our neighborhood got together in 1967 and did a Wizard of Oz theme. I can't believe I was still a part of this in 1967, but it was fun and heck we got a free hotdog at the end of the parade at the SB park! |
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The Proudly
Presented the 67th Annual Posy
Parade A
Floral Parade for Children “School’s
in Bloom” Centennial
Celebration 1907
- 2007 Sunday
1pm June 3,
2007 Posy
Parade information: Ken
Ibarra (650) 827-1005 Posy
Parade Grand
Marshals Allen School: Amanda and Lauren Meyer Portola
School: Garret Fair - 2nd Grader Belle
Air School: Loretta McClurg - Crestmoor School: Zacucini
(2nd Grade) and John Michael Caberthary Fo
(4th Grade) Parkside School: Trish Estalita and
her daughter Megan Rollingwood
School: Sajin Mathew - 5th Grade Superintendent's Essay
Contest Winner
El Crystal School: Twins
Tyler and Taylor Lau
All
entries had to be in line by 12:30 Parade
started at 1:00 PM Division
1 Division
3 Division 2 Division
5 Division 4 Division
7 Division 6 Division
9 Division 8 El Camino Real The parade
begins at travels South
to El Camino Real (at Springs Road
to Parade
Divisions Division
1 – Sports All sports
teams – PLEASE LIMIT (3) THREE ADULTS
WALKING WITH EACH TEAM Division
2 – Carriages Doll or baby
carriages pushed by one contestant only Division
3 – Small Floats or Wagon/Carts Pushed or
pulled by the contestant(s) Size of float
not to exceed Division
4 – Animals All live
pets; dogs, cats, chickens, ducks, fish, etc. Pulled
on cart or walking Division
5 – Bikes All bicycles,
tricycles, scooters or any peddle driven entry
– must
be decorated w/ flowers Division
6 – Walkers Single
entries only in costume, unique or different Walking
entries only Division
7 – Family & Neighborhood Groups This division
is for unique and different ideas. For groups
entering a float larger than Float
may be pulled by adults Division
8 – Children’s Organizations All entries
by schools, groups and clubs May be
pulled by adults Division
9 – Adult Organizations Business
Groups or Adult Clubs with participants
14 years of age or under. May be
pulled by adults
1. All
children 14 years of age and under may participate
in the parade. 2.
Entries are not limited to All
children are welcome to participate! No
sign-ups are necessary, just show up! 3.
Flowers (real or artificial) must predominate the decoration
of each entry. Entries without floral decoration
will not be considered for awards. 4.
Automobiles or other motorized vehicles including battery-operated
carts, will not be allowed in the
parade. 5. The
parade will form on the streets adjacent to ALL
ENTRIES MUST BE IN LINE BY 12:30 TO BE CONSIDERED
FOR JUDGING. Judging Originality,
Use of Theme, Amount and Size of Flowers,
Workmanship Prizes
for the winning entries will be awarded at San 2nd and 3rd place
trophies for each division.
50 honorable mention
trophies will also be awarded. A special Senior and
Junior Sweepstakes Trophy will be presented to the top 2
float entries. To
participate in the drawing for the Posy Parade Princess, complete and
return this form to the address on the reverse side.
Applicants must live in the ages of 4
and 7 years old. Only one coupon per child. All
entries MUST be received by May 23. Name
________________________ Age ____ Address
______________________________ Phone
_______________________________ School _______________________________
All children
who participate in the Parade will
receive a ticket for a free hot dog,
candy and drink courtesy of the Refreshments
will be available to purchase for
the rest of the family members and
friends. Don’t
miss the Annual Posy Parade Baseball
and Softball games! St.
Roberts vs. Parkside Boys
Varsity @ Tom Lara Field Girls
Varsity @ Diamond 2 Pee
Wee All-Star Game (10 Year Olds) Diamond
3 The
search is on for our 2007
Posy Parade Princess and her
Court Fill
out the other side of this coupon and mail to: Posy
Parade Princess c/o Only
(1) one coupon per Princess, please. Posy
Parade This
annual “Festival of Flowers” was started
in 1941 as a dedication to children. It
was patterned after the Tournament of Roses
Parade in “posy”
as the signature flower. The
parade, traditionally for youngsters 14
years old and under, has achieved both state
and national fame for Each
year the Community gathers to celebrate
and support our children at the Posy
Parade. The ALL
who continue to cherish this San Bruno
tradition. Special
Thanks to City
of San
Bruno Garbage Company Lunardi’s
Market and
the Members of The Posy
Parade Chairman Ken
Ibarra (650)
827-1005 |
