Black History Month Parade Steps Off a Month Late, Brimming With Enthusiasm

Pasadena’s 35th annual Black History Month Parade, postponed after lightning storms in mid-February imperiled its original date, stepped off Saturday under a beautiful blue sky and brought the local celebrities and officials, music, marching bands, religious groups, orders, sororities and fraternities that make the event one of the largest and oldest in the United States.

The theme this year was “35 Years – Recognizing Our Accomplishments, Still We Rise.”

Community Grand Marshalls were Perry and Melanie Bennett, owners of the popular Perry’s Joint on North Lincoln Avenue. Community Youth Grand Marshall was Lindsay Cooper and Celebrity Grand Marshall was Linda “Peaches” Tavani.

About 70 entries were originally scheduled to appear in the free family friendly parade, including high school marching bands; drill and dance teams; several car and motorcycle clubs, social service organizations, and various City officials and departments.

The parade’s postponement did have an impact on both the final number of entrants and the crowd size, but not the gusto of parade goers.

The regular, post-parade festival was postponed this year. It has been pushed back to be included in the annual Juneteenth Celebration this year due to the onset of work for the Robinson Park Recreation Center project.

The annual Black History Festival and the city’s annual Juneteenth celebration will be held on June 17 at Robinson Park.