The 135th Rose Parade will begin on Monday as the world ushers in 2024.
With its petal-filled floats, marching bands and high-stepping horses, the New Year’s Day event is scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. and will travel 5 1/2 miles along the streets of Pasadena.
This year’s theme is “Celebrating a World of Music: The Universal Language,” a message of hope and harmony in times of war, labor strikes and partisan political fights as a contentious election year begins in the United States.
“In a world of different cultures, beliefs, hopes and dreams, one language unites us all: music,” Alex Aghajanian, president of the Tournament of Roses, said in a statement. “Sound, texture, rhythm, form, harmony and expression combine to move, calm, excite and delight the world.”
The grand marshal will be six-time Tony Award-winning actress and singer Audra McDonald.
Early Monday morning, about three hours before the start of the parade, the air along Colorado Boulevard smelled of bacon-wrapped hot dogs, a staple of street vendors along the route.
The spectators were bundled up to protect themselves from the early morning cold. Children watched YouTube videos on their cell phones and adults drank champagne and coffee.
Security during the parade will be tight.. Law enforcement agencies say they are prepared for possible protests, from people calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, which have been interrupt traffic in recent weeks near Los Angeles International Airport, to Pasadena hotel workers who went on strike on Sundayduring the most important tourist weekend of the year in the city.
The city of Pasadena has been working with numerous law enforcement and emergency organizations, said city spokeswoman Lisa Derderian.
The Rose Parade is considered a high-profile event, drawing support from federal agencies in security planning, he said.
“We have plans in place and resources that will be in place and additional resources that we can call on the city if necessary,” Derderian said. “We are planning for a worst-case scenario, but we are hoping for a beautiful, peaceful parade and game.”
The Pasadena Police Department said it will implement enhanced security measures along the parade route. Officers will eject paradegoers who violate the law or disrupt the parade, and K-9 units will patrol Colorado Boulevard.
Parade organizers they are waiting a return to the gigantic crowds it once boasted, with more than 700,000 spectators, after a COVID crisis that caused the parade to be canceled in 2021 and ticket sales to drop in 2022.
The weather looks good, said David Eads, executive director of the Tournament of Roses, the Michigan and Alabama football teams have fan bases that travel well, and the parade’s “Celebrating a World of Music” theme and expanded performances They have great appeal.
Sindee Riboli, president and general manager of Sharp Seating Co., which sells parade stands and tickets to special tournament events such as Floatfest and Bandfest, was optimistic about this year’s parade.
While she’s not convinced 2024 can rival pre-pandemic attendance, she’s confident peak crowds will return.
“Eventually we will reach those numbers again. It will just take a few years,” he said. “I have hope.”
