Vanessa Natalie Manjarrez (C) reigns as Rose Queen during the 124th Annual Rose Parade in Pasadena, California, the United States, Jan. 1, 2013. The largest New Year celebration in the U.S. West was held here Tuesday morning with an estimated one million spectators watching the world famous Rose Parade along the 5.5-mile route and about 39 million viewers on television. (Xinhua/Yang Lei)

The largest New Year celebration in the U.S. West was held here Tuesday morning with an estimated one million spectators watching the world famous Rose Parade along the 5.5-mile route and about 39 million viewers on television.

The traditional New Year celebration that can be traced back to 124 years ago in Pasadena, California, has gradually become a nation-wide event with world participation.

People came from different parts of the country, some from other countries, to watch the parade of 42 floats, all decorated with roses and fresh flowers and cost between 100,000 to 400,000 dollars each to be built.

The parade provided a best chance for people to participate and celebrate along the 5.5-mile Colorado Blvd. in Pasadena. The route has actually become a camping site since the New Year's Eve with many people sleeping along the street to wait for the parade starts at 8:00 a.m.(1600 GMT).

Joe, a man in his 40s, told Xinhua that he came from Palm Spring, a small town about 150 miles away with his girl friend and two other friends. He said he slept on the street with a blanket to keep warm. "It is my first time to watch the parade, but several years ago I volunteered to decorate the float and dreamed that I would have a chance to watch those floats on parade," said Joe.

He said float is not the only thing he cares about but the people and the atmosphere along the parade route.

"It is a good way to celebrate the New Year," said Joe, who has paid 180 dollars for a ticket to watch the Rose Bowl American football game after the parade.

Unlike Joe, another lady at her 70s got up at 5:00 a.m. to drive with her nephew about one hour from Santa Monica to watch the parade. The lady said it is her first time and she found it very interesting. Although the weather was chilly in the early morning, she enjoyed to be there and felt the warm atmosphere.

The 124th Tournament of Roses Parade procession included 42 floral floats, 23 marching bands and 21 equestrian units.