131st Rose Parade Readies to Make Its Way Down Colorado Boulevard

With the theme of “The Power of Hope,” the 131st Rose Parade will make its annual floral procession down Colorado Boulevard in Pasadena today, led by a trio of grand marshals, including Emmy-, Tony-, Grammy-and Oscar-winning actress Rita Moreno.

The 5 1/2-mile parade will step off at 8 a.m., beginning with an “Opening Spectacular” performance featuring Latin Grammy winner Ally Brooke of Fifth Harmony, and Puerto Rican singer-songwriter Farruko, along with 19-time Grammy winner Emilio Estefan and the Chino Hills High School drumline.

Joining Moreno as grand marshals will be actress Gina Torres — known for her work in shows such as “Suits,” “The Shield” and “Westworld”—and gymnast Laurie Hernandez, who won an Olympic gold medal as part of the U.S. women’s gymnastics team in 2016 and also won a Mirror Ball trophy on “Dancing with the Stars.”

Moreno, 88, is one of a select group of performers to achieve what is known as an EGOT, winning Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony awards. She is perhaps best known for her Oscar-winning role in “West Side Story.”

“Rita Morena, Gina Torres and Laurie Hernandez epitomize hope,” Tournament of Roses President Laura Farber said in a statement when the trio were announced as grand marshals. “Through their talent, efforts, persistence and dedication, they have achieved excellence and have given back to the world stories of hope, dreams fulfilled, dignity, respect and inspiration.”

The parade will feature more than 40 floral-covered floats, 17 equestrian units and 20 marching bands from across the country and around the world. Bands from El Salvador, Costa Rica, Mexico, Japan, Puerto Rico and Denmark are among those set to make the march down Colorado Boulevard.

The parade will feature a mid-procession performance by members of the cast of the musical “Frozen,” which is currently at the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood. The performance of the song “For the First Time in Forever” will be led by Caroline Bowman, who portrays Elsa, and Caroline Innerbichler, who plays Anna.

The grand finale of the parade will be titled “Where Flowers and Football Meet,” featuring rock band Los Lobos and social media musical sensation Alejandro Aranda, known as Scarypoolparty.

La Salle College Preparatory senior Camille Kennedy will reign over the parade as the 102nd Rose Queen. She will be joined by the six members of
her Royal Court:

• Cole Fox, a senior at South Pasadena High School and a South Pasadena resident;
• Emilie Risha, a senior at Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy and a La Canada Flintridge resident;
• Rukan Saif, a senior at Arcadia High School and a Temple City resident;
• Reese Rosental Saporito, a senior at Marshall Fundamental School and an Altadena resident;
• Mia Thorsen, a senior at Marshall Fundamental School and an Altadena resident; and
• Michael Wilkins, a senior at Maranatha High School and a Pasadena resident.

For those who can’t make it to the parade, the floats will be on display until 5 p.m. Wednesday and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday during the Showcase of Floats at Sierra Madre and Washington boulevards.

As usual, security will be tight along the parade route, and anyone found violating the law or creating a disturbance will be removed from the
area.

Parade viewers are asked to report any suspicious activity and call 911 in the event of an emergency, or call 626-744-4241 for non-emergencies.