The first-ever Rosebud Parade comes to video screens worldwide today, a miniature preview of the real deal Rose Parade coming — if all goes well — to Colorado Boulevard next January 1.
Created by the organizers of the Rose Parade in a partnership with Kidspace Children’s Museum and the Kidspace-At-Home initiative, the Rosebud Parade premiere launches live today at 1 p.m. on Facebook.
“It gives people of all ages and from all over the world, an opportunity to come together, albeit virtually, to share in a joyous event, much like we do each New Year’s Day,” said Tournament of Roses spokesperson Candy Carlson.
And like the Rose Parade itself, it will have its own pair of celebrity hosts — KTLA Rose Parade hosts Leeza Gibbons and Mark Steines.
Thursday’s virtual event threw open doors to the world inviting everyone to try their hand at creating a virtual entry in an international parade that will no doubt still be seen by thousands around the world.
The Rosebud Parade actually drew over 200 float entries from across the US along with two international submissions—Panama and Mexico. Both of those entries are from bands actually selected to march in the 2021 Rose Parade.
The entrants also range from a 3-year-old to grandparents. Most floats are, in fact, creative collaborations from a whole family.
And like the Rose Parade entries themselves, the Rosebud Parade entries came in all shapes and sizes. Some of the floats are the size of shoe-boxes and some were actually constructed on little red wagons, and one on a plastic kiddie pool.
“These homemade entries aren’t just creative and fun; they’re beautiful, powerful and heartfelt symbols of what the Rose Parade is meant to be,” added Carlson.
As for the actual Rose Parade? It’s still unknown if the state will allow events like the Pasadena tradition by late December. But Tournament of Roses President Bob Miller promised a few weeks ago that there will be some type of special event on New Year’s Day, whether actual or virtual.
To watch the Rosebud Parade:
LIVE on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/roseparade
Link to full broadcast available for download after the event:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC42v-L0e7aCw4u5Rw-yaD0A