The Rose Parade is back after being cancelled in 2021 due to the pandemic. Thousands of Southern Californians lined Colorado Blvd. in Pasadena, CA on Saturday morning to celebrate the new year and observe the various floats crusading the infamous street.
Presented by Honda, the parade is a new year tradition that always kicks off on the 1st of Jan. as a pregame experience before the nationally televised Rose Bowl Game. The University of Utah (No. 11) and Ohio State (No. 6) will be competing in the college football game sponsored by Capital One Venture X, taking place at the Rose Bowl Stadium.
“We look forward to hosting a traditional Big Ten and Pac-12 Rose Bowl Game on New Year’s Day with Ohio State and Utah,” said Bob Miller, President of Pasadena Tournament of Roses, the organization that manages the Rose Parade and Rose Bowl Game. “The Buckeyes are a program with a strong history in Pasadena and we are thrilled to welcome the Utes for the first time in history at The Granddaddy of Them All.”
This year marks the 133rd year that the Rose Parade has taken place. The theme is “Dream.Believe.Achieve.”
“Education paves the path to success with a world of opportunities achieved through knowledge, compassion and determination. Education is the great equalizer,” said Miller of this year’s theme. “As a community college educator, I have seen firsthand the life-changing miracle that education provides. As students visualize their future, education becomes the bridge to accomplish their aspirations and transform lives for generations to come.”
The parade, which is known for floats made up of creative floral arrangements, consisted of about 70 floats, with a lineup that includes ABC’s The Bachelor, AMC Theatres, Trader Joe’s, and the UPS Store.
Marching bands from nearly 17 different academic institutions were present, including Georgia State University Panther Band, Los Angeles Unified School District, and Tennessee State University Aristocrat of Bands.
Equestrian units from various parts of California, and the 1st Calvary Division Horse Cavalry Detachment from Fort Hood, TX, Norwegian Fjord Horses from Berthoud, CO, and the Spirit of the West Riders from Chino Valley, AZ participated in the 5-1/2 mile parade.
As far as celebrity sightings, LeVar Burton of Reading Rainbow fame hosted the annual event as the 2022 Grand Marshal, riding on the float presented by Honda. Dionne Warwick was one of the major celebrities seen riding a float. Drummer Timothy Fletcher ushered in the U.S. Army as representatives parachuted from flying planes. Country singer LeAnn Rhimes opened the event with song, while Jimmie Allen wrapped up the event with a live street performance.
