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I used to live on the parade route for the Halloween parade in NYC. My only advice is to embrace it. Enjoy the fact that you're already home and you get some free entertainment for the day.

I used to live on the Tournament's route--right off Orange Grove. Fun to see the floats at night, and walk along the route with a cocktail. For Pasadena high school students, it's a rite of passage to spend the night camped out on the street.

Most Pasadenans don't complain too bitterly, as it brings in a ton of revenue into the city, and it's a fun party.

And let's have a moratorium on the use of the phrase
"couldn't help but wonder".

You can help but wonder, and you're not Carrie Bradshaw, and it's annoying as hell.

Thanks.

We live along the Carnaval and Dios de los Muertos parade routes in San Francisco. I definitely wouldn't want to have house scaffolding up or locked Port-A-Potties along a parade route! It's good to watch the calendar and join in or skip town as you prefer.

My uncle lived on Orange Grove for years in Pasadena. They would line the floats up in from of his home the night before. It was so much fun! We'd drive to his place before sunrise to get in before the blockades, then eat breakfast watching them put the final flowers on the float, and finally walk the whole float queue smelling all the gorgeous flowers before the start and watching the bands line up - all the kids in the bands were so excited - it was fun to witness! The Rose Parade is honestly one of the most amazing spectacles I've seen. Worth it if you ever get the chance to see the parade live.

I grew up on Orange Grove Holly! As was already mentioned, they line up the floats the night before and all the neighbors come out and get a sneak peek - so much fun, a really fond memory! My family and friends looked forward to it every year. The only downside is all the garbage left on the parade route the following day on Colorado, but besides that - I loved every minute of it.

seriously? the thanksgiving parade in new york is an asset and people love to have apartments overlooking it. only in los angeles, where our cars and parking thereof have us concerned for our neighborhoods like they are our own personal kingdoms would someone consider that a negative.

I would love to have a home near a major parade street.

Besides, if people aren't into parades, I'd think that they would look for housing elsewhere.

A good friend of mine used to live at Herald Towers, with an 8th floor apt that overlooked Herald Square... where all of the action happens for TV during the Thanksgiving Day Parade. He hosted breakfast every T-Day morning, and it was really awesome, always a lovely event. The major headache was trying to get to his building because of the street closures.

Despite the MAJOR disruption to both local businesses and residents, I wouldn't mind dealing with the Sunset Junction insanity once a year if it weren't for the fact that the organizers are charging people $20 a head to enter a PUBLIC street. WTF is that? Gotta be illegal. But they're making a killing and I'm sure certain council members are getting a nice cut... and that's all that really matters, right?

My neighborhood has a holiday parade on the morning of the second sunday in December. The parade route is on a fairly busy West LA thoroughfare which is shut down for a few hours. The parade has a great small town feel with girl scout troupes and various local businesses and residents participating.

I participated a few years agos. I have a classic Buick convertible and I invited a dear friend of mine and her kids to join in with me. We crammed everyone in (including dogs)aand played keeny rogers christmas music as we went 8 mph yelling various holiday salutations to bystanders.

What a fun event to experience and share. That and the Rose Parade are just a few of the wonderful events that make LA special.

Last year, a man who seemingly forgot that he had a child on his shoulders tried to start a fist fight with me as I squirmed my way through the Rose Parade crowd towards the door of my husband's business on Colorado. I ended up having to fight, as gracefully as possible, and mainly using my bicycle as a weapon in order to make it past. It was pretty awful, but I got the last laugh once I made it in and staked out my position between the private bathroom and the 2nd floor picture windows.
I can't wait until this year!

I live in downtown Denver. We have to be very diligent about the street parking when there are parades and civic events. Waking up to a surprise marathon, and a towed car (with a $100 ticket) is not pleasant.

We have a neighborhood watch group that puts event flier reminders in the lobbies. That's nice.


The DNC was the worst though. Constant Blackhawk helicopter fly-overs and pepper spray in my window.

I live right by the Boston Marathon route. Note: I cannot see it from my apartment even if my windows were facing the street, but it is quite near. It's not really problematic for me because I usually have to work that day (Patriot's Day is considered a state/bank holiday in Massachusetts where many offices close for business also) but I have an idea it would be a very crowded spot near "Heartbreak Hill". I would like to see it sometime.

We live a block off the Uptown parade route in New Orleans, and oh! I wouldn't change it for the world. It's great to go down to St. Charles and visit with the neighbors over box wine or milk punch yet be within walking distance back to a clean bathroom!

Of course since we basically have to close up for business during the height of parade season, you pretty much get used to staying put. Having off street parking helps too.

That's my niece on the lower right on the float (in the stripped hat)! What are the chances of that?

Palmetto, since the day of this person's first blog you have been so critical and at times down right rude. WHY? what do you gain from it?