Rose Parade Shows Off Pasadena to the World

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Under picture-perfect postcard skies, the 131st Rose Parade rolled down Colorado Boulevard this morning on its 5.5 mile route through the city.

“All eyes were on Pasadena today and the parade and weather didn’t disappoint,” said Pasadena spokesperson Lisa Derderian. “It was a great family event and the smiles on the faces of spectators make all the preparations and behind the scenes work well worth it.”

Following the traditional B-2 flyover, the parade got underway just after 8 a.m. this morning before a live audience of hundreds of thousands in Pasadena and a broadcast audience of millions. The historic parade featured 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 all marched down Colorado Boulevard.

The UPS Float brought home the parade’s Sweepstakes Award, with their fiesta-themed “Stories Change the World, while the Chinese American Heritage Foundation won the Extraordinaire Award for its “American Heroes” float. China Airlines won the International competition with their “Dreams of Flying, Wings of Hope” float.

The parade also featured 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” was led by Caroline Bowman, who portrays Elsa, and Caroline Innerbichler, who plays Anna.

102nd Rose Queen and La Salle College Preparatory senior Camille Kenned reigned over the parade was 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.

Crystal Mendoza, 42, of Palmdale, brought her two children, Michael and Pearl last night, and viewed the parade from Fair Oaks and Colorado.

“This was incredible,” Mendoza said. “I really didn’t want to go, but I am so glad I did.”

Grammy award-winning rock band Los Lobos finished off the parade close to 10 a.m. with performances of “La Bamba,” and “C’mon, Let’s Go.”

Pasadena Police reported a quiet New Year’s Eve along the parade route, with only five arrests.

The Pasadena Fire Department extinguished several illegal bonfires overnight, Derderian said.

By day’s end, Derderian said, paramedics made three Advanced Life Support transports to local hospitals, treated then released 9, and assisted 335 others for minor aids and hydration.

The Rose Parade 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.