Watching the Rose Bowl Parade (and Game) in Canmore

The USMC Color Guard at the 2007 Rose Bowl Parade [Source]

My mother was not a football fan, but every year without fail she watched two football-related events. The first was the Tournament of Roses Rose Parade, broadcast each year from Pasadena, California. I don’t know that she ever watched the football game played later the same day, but as sure as Santa slid down our chimney each year at Christmas (even when we didn’t have a chimney), my mother watched the Rose Parade on New Year’s Day. 

Mom’s commentary always included fond memories of the time she spent living and working in Pasadena when she was a young woman. That, and admiration for the patience it takes to create the elaborate designs on massive floats using flower petals (some floats can take almost a year to create).

As for me, my interest was in the horses, of which there are many in each parade - more than 450 of them are expected to prance their way along the parade route on January 1, 2020.

Floats in the parade must be decorated using only plant materials… Some are so fancy they take almost a year to construct. [Source]

My mother isn’t the only one who loves to ogle the fabulous flowery floats on display. Ever since the first Rose Parade was held way back in 1890, thousands (and now millions, thanks to TV) of people show up to watch. 

The first Rose Bowl football game was played in 1902, also on New Year’s Day and the combination of parade and game continues to be a popular way to spend the first day of a new year. This year will be the 131st Rose Parade and the theme is Power of Hope. Both football teams (the Oregon Ducks from the University of Oregon and the Wisconsin Badgers from the University of Wisconsin) will be full of hope prior to the start of the game, though the loser will be less perky after all is said and done.

I haven’t watched the parade for many years, but in 2020 I’m starting a new tradition. I’ll be heading out to settle in a comfy chair in front of one of several big screens in town to watch with other parade-lovers (while snacking… and sipping…) My short list of options follows…

Where to Watch the Rose Bowl Parade (and Game) in Canmore

Planning to watch the parade? Allow a couple of hours for all those marching bands, floats, and horses to pass by as they make their way along the 8.9 km route.

Here in Canmore, the Hogshead Pub (107-721 8 St.) will be opening at 10 am and offering up mimosa specials until 2 pm. Ask nicely (because, you know, it’s always a good idea to ask nicely) and they’ll be happy to put on the parade for you to watch as you sip. Maybe you’re more in the mood for waffles? No problem - check out their 8-inch waffle served with your choice of savoury or sweet. In the savoury department: candied bacon, aged white cheddar, hollandaise and 2 sunny side eggs. For those with a sweet tooth, sink your teeth into a waffle topped with berry compote and whipped cream. Don’t forget the syrup!

Start the new year right with a taste of something wild at The Wood.

The Wood Restaurant & Lounge (838 8 Street) will be playing the Rose Bowl Game and rumour has it they’ll be offering pints of draft beer for only $5.00 - and that includes all their craft beers! Get your healthy eating resolution off to a good start with a grilled vegetable sandwich featuring grilled portabello mushroom, zucchini, red peppers, onions & goat cheese on a baguette with sun-dried tomato pesto & arugula.

Graze Food & Drink (102-717 8 Street)
With 7 screens to choose from, there’s more than enough viewing room here to catch the parade. Open from 11-9 on Jan 1, there will be drink specials all day. How about a Hot Toddy or a fancy coffee enhanced with a splash of Kahlua? Yep - sounds good to me, too.

Boston Pizza (1704 Bow Valley Trail)
Boston Pizza opens at 11 on New Year’s Day and would be happy to show the replay of the parade - what better way to begin the new year than with a slice of your favourite pizza, a cold beer, and glimpses of those Pasadena palm trees on the big screen?

Grizzly Paw (622 8th Street)
The Grizzly Paw restaurant opens at 11 and recommends their Bohemian Pilsner on tap as the perfect beverage to sip while watching the horses prancing past. Or, more in a brunch mood? Tuck into a croque madam - brioche toast, maple pepper ham, cave aged gruyere, and a sunnyside egg.

Rose & Crown (749 Railway Avenue)
Also opening at 11 am, the Rose and Crown always has a great deal on their house red and white on Wednesdays - just $5.00/6 oz glass. Don’t miss some of the heartiest poutine in town made with curly fries and topped with spiced ground beef, cheese curds, gravy and green onions.

Canmore Hotel (738 8 St)
If you are able to multi-task, shoot some pool at the Canmore Hotel. They don’t open until noon, so you’ll only catch the second half of the parade, but you’ll be nice and early for the Rose Bowl game -and, lunch - say, a Hip Burger served up along with a pitcher of Big Rock “Ho” Lager.

The Drake (909 Railway Avenue)
The Drake knows there are lots of college football fans around - you can pretty much guarantee you’ll be able to catch the game. They open at 11 so you’ll have plenty of time to catch the replay of the parade as well. One of the friendliest pubs in Canmore, the Drake has terrific nachos - to my mind, the perfect snack food for parade watchers.

**If you have read this far because you are wondering what the second football event was in my mother’s sporting events calendar, it was the Grey Cup which she watched religiously even though she didn’t know the first thing about football…**

Start 2020 off right: snap a photo of you and your pals enjoying yourselves on the first day of the new year. Leave us a comment below and let us know what you get up to on the brand spanking new year or tag us (@tastecanmore) on Facebook or Instagram so we can celebrate right along with you.