By Donna Westfall – Credit to Pasadena Star-News – December 31, 2021

One of the highlights of California events is the Rose Parade held in Pasadena. More than 800,000 people converge on Pasadena to be a part of the festivities. Worldwide coverage Last year there was no Rose Parade due to the Pandemic. The tradition was started over 100 years ago on January 1, 1890. Horses and floats have always been a mainstay of the Parade. And then there’s the Rose Bowl football game. This year’s contenders: Utah against Ohio State

This year’s Rose Parade theme is “Dream. Believe. Achieve” and its Grand Marshal is actor, author, “Reading Rainbow” host and literacy advocate LeVar Burton. He is known for his roles as Kunta Kinte in the ABC miniseries Roots and as Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge in Star Trek: The Next Generation .

The parade begins at 8 a.m. on Jan. 1st and will kick off with a performance by LeAnn Rimes. 

The weather is cooperating. While the forecast calls for sunshine, it will be a chilly 40 degrees increasing to a lovely 59 degrees. Rain or shine, lots of marching bands will be included.

While 73% of America is experiencing record levels of snow after massive winter storms, Pasadena and Southern California have an abundance of flowers and oranges are about to bear fruit.

Gone are the days of horse drawn carriages. While there are no rules or regulations for size and height of a float, they have to collapse underneath the Sierra Madre/I-210 freeway overpass, which is along the natural parade route. In 2004, Disney had a 110 foot tall float titled: “A Sudden Drop in Pitch” featuring live performers dangling in a elevator attached to the top.

The 2020 Rose Parade featured 40 floats, 17 equestrian units with over 450 horses, and 20 marching bands. The two hour parade has a 5 1/2 mile route mostly down Colorado Blvd. TIckets are sold to be in the grandstands which can range in price from $60 to $110 depending on the site. However, many people merely camp out starting today and view the parade at no cost. BUT, they are requiring proof of vaccination.

Thousands and thousands of roses are used on the floats along with seeds, beans and other plant-based items. After the parade, the floats are on display to the public at Rosemont Pavilion. This is free of charge.