The 135th Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena mesmerized the audience with vibrant marching bands, equestrian units, and creatively adorned floral floats, all aligning with the theme “Celebrating a World of Music.”

Opening Spectacular Performance

The parade kicked off with an “Opening Spectacular” featuring performances by artists like Michelle Williams, Cassadee Pope, David Archuleta, and Rush Davis. The Rose Parade’s opening stage showcased the Honda float themed “Keep Dreaming.”

Diverse Floats and Marching Bands

A total of 39 floats, sponsored by local cities and businesses such as Kaiser Permanente, Honda, Shriners Children’s, and The Cowboy Channel, participated in the procession. Additionally, nearly 20 marching bands from Japan, Costa Rica, and various schools across the country added to the cultural diversity of the event.

Rose Parade Float Winners

The San Diego Zoo’s float, titled “It All Started With a Roar,” claimed the 2024 Sweepstakes Trophy for the most beautiful entry, considering float design, floral presentation, and entertainment. The Floatfest at Sierra Madre and Washington Boulevard allowed spectators to get a close-up look at the award-winning floats.

Rose Parade Theme

The theme for the 2024 Rose Parade, “Celebrating a World of Music: The Universal Language,” emphasized the power of music to unite people across different cultures and backgrounds. The President of the Tournament of Roses, Alex Aghajanian, highlighted the significance of music in bringing people together.

Rose Parade Route and Street Closures

The 5 1/2-mile Rose Parade route started at Green Street and Orange Grove Blvd., moving north on Orange Grove Blvd. and then east onto Colorado Blvd. The parade concluded at Sierra Madre Blvd. and Villa St. Street closures along Colorado Blvd. and Sierra Madre Blvd. ensured public safety during the event.

Transportation Options

Metro and Metrolink provided enhanced services for attendees, including 24-hour Metro Rail service and special early morning trains. Information on Metro service could be obtained through @metrolaalerts on Twitter or by calling 323-GoMetro. Metrolink details were available on metrolinktrains.com.

Event Duration and Viewing

The Rose Parade lasted two hours, from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. Spectators could find spots along the route from noon on December 31, with specific guidelines for approaching the parade route.

Parking Information

Reserved parking for the Rose Parade was available through various providers, including Sharp Seating Company, Colorado Boulevard Parking, City of Pasadena, LAZ Parking, Easy Parking Service, and AP Parking. Overnight parking on Pasadena streets began at noon the day before the parade.

Grand Marshal and Rose Queen

Audra McDonald, a multi-award-winning performer, served as the 2024 Grand Marshal, embodying the theme “Celebrating a World of Music.” Naomi Stillitano was crowned as the 105th Rose Queen, continuing the iconic tradition of the Rose Court.

Rich History of the Rose Parade

Originating in 1890, the Tournament of Roses has evolved into a grand celebration, with floral floats showcasing state-of-the-art technology. The parade’s history reflects a century-long commitment to showcasing the beauty of flowers, marching bands, and equestrian units.

Visitor Information

For more details, Visit Pasadena provided a Visitor Hotline at (877) 793-9911. The Rose Parade Day Guide offered additional information for attendees.

In summary, Pasadena’s 135th Rose Parade was a splendid celebration of music, culture, and creativity, bringing people together to welcome the new year.