A Downpour of Color

Colorado Blvd. filled up fast with pre-sunrise onlookers waiting for the first float to roll down the parade route.  (Mark Boster / LAT)

Drizzly skies brought low temperatures. Some forgo good seats for warmth near DeLacey St. on Colorado Blvd.  (Mark Boster / LAT)

Parade watchers reached for streamers released at the start of the parade. For the first time since 1955, rain dumped on the 117th edition of the Tournament of Roses Parade.  (Mark Boster / LAT)

The tambourine drill team marched ahead of the Salvation Army Band.  (Anne Cusack / LAT)

The Alabama A&M University band swirled with motion.  (Mark Boster / LAT)

When the floats started rolling the crowd huddled up for the show. Here, the Salvation Army band performed, rain or shine.  (Jason Neubert / LAT)

Singer LeAnn Rimes performed for the crowd.  (Anne Cusack / LAT)

Dancers twirled during Rimes’ opening song.  (Anne Cusack / LAT)

There was no break in the downpour, but many stuck it out under plastic covers and umbrellas.  (Anne Cusack / LAT)

Participants on the Automobile Club of Southern California’s float, Vacation Paradise, protected themselves against the elements.  (Jason Neubert / LAT)

The tropical setting gave onlookers hopes of sunnier days as the China Airlines’ float rode down the main promenade.  (Jason Neubert / LAT)

A close-up of the China Airlines float shows one rider’s natural water repellent — feathers.  (Karen Tapia-Andersen / LAT)

Bayer’s “Jack and the Rose Stalk” float climbs more than 50 feet into the clouds.  (Karen Tapia-Andersen / LAT)

A close-up shows the heavily adorned “Jack and the Rose Stalk” float.  (Mark Boster / LAT)

A float rider tipped his hat to the umbrella-protected crowd on the City of Cerritos float, “Magical Music Machine.”  (Mark Boster / LAT)

Plastic was the big fashion statement along Colorado and Orange Grove Blvd at this year’s Rose Parade.  (Anne Cusack / LAT)

Roses glisten in the rain on one float.  (Anne Cusack / LAT)

Members of the Ben Davis Marching Giants blows down the parade route.  (Karen Tapia-Andersen / LAT)

Subway Restaurants’ “Fresh Magic” float glides through the rain.  (Karen Tapia-Andersen / LAT)

Colorful birds decorate Subway’s “Fresh Magic” float.  (Mark Boster / LAT)

Spectators brave inclement weather at 117th Rose Parade.  (Karen Tapia-Andersen / LAT)

The captain of a ship on the Trader Joe’s Adventure float waves to the crowd.  (Anne Cusack / LAT)

SMILES AND THEIR UMBRELLAS: Rose Queen Camille Clark, top, and her court put the best face on things during the downpour in Pasadena.  (Anne Cusack / LAT)

CHILLED: Flag girls from Allen High School in Allen, Texas, huddle together after the parade. This was the Allen Eagle Escadrille’s first appearance in the Rose Parade.  (Rick Loomis / LAT)