The Rose Parade, also known as the Tournament of Roses, is an annual parade held along Colorado Boulevard in Pasadena on New Year’s Day.
Born in Los Angeles on June 1, 1921, Margaret Huntley Main was the oldest living titleholder of the Rose Court, a selection of young women that serve as ambassadors of the Tournament of Roses, and the local community. Last Friday, she died at the age of 102.
Main was chosen as the queen by the Pasadena Tournament of Roses while she was attending Pasadena City College.
In a statement on facebook, the Rose Parade said, “As the revered 1940 Rose Queen, her legacy shines as a testament to the Rose Court tradition, and her unwavering dedication to the Tournament of Roses.”
She is remembered as, “a timeless symbol of grace, [who] will forever adorn the history of the Rose Parade.”
Main remained involved with the Rose Parade throughout her life. She created the Quenns’ alumni association and had the privilege of meeting every single Rose Queen, back to the first title holder of the tournament from 1905 to 2020. She also annually attended the October coronation and queens’ luncheon in December until she stopped traveling in 2019.
On Main’s 100th birthday, The Tournament of Roses honored her with a birthday party in Auburn. The event was attended by then-tournament President Robert Miller who brought Main’s 1940 crown to wear one last time. The Swarovski crystal crown is now displayed at Tournament House in Pasadena.
In 1989, Main and her husband co-authored “A Rose Queen is Forever: The Story of Pasadena’s Tournament of Roses and Its Queens.”
The Rose Parade is produced by the non-profit Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association and starts at 8:00 a.m. Pacific Time. It includes flower-covered floats, marching bands and equestrian units. The parade is followed in the afternoon by the Rose Bowl, one of the major bowl games in college football.
To be eligible for the Royal Court, applicants must be a female resident of the Pasadena City College district, be currently enrolled as a 12th grade senior in high school or as a full-time college student in any school or college in the Pasadena City College district. The applicants must also possess at least a 2.0 grade point average in the current and previous year’s course work. They must also be at least 17-years-old by December 31 of the current year and not more than 21-years-old before January 5 of the next year. Finally, each applicant also must never have been married or have had a marriage annulled, have no children and must agree not to marry prior to January 5 of the next year.
According to The Pasadena Tournament of Roses, Rose Court members experience countless benefits, including access to personal development programs. Rose Court members are provided with opportunities to participate in the community, make positive contributions and connect with local leaders.
The Rose Queen and Rose Court stand as cherished traditions within the storied history of the Pasadena Tournament of Roses, maintaining their status as a treasured legacy.
Arcadia High School senior Naomi Stillitano was named the 135th Rose Queen.
The statement made on facebook by the Rose Parade said, “Queen Margaret’s final correspondence was to congratulate 2024 Rose Queen Naomi Stillitano following her coronation on October 27, 2023.”