PASADENA, Calif. — Flower-covered floats, marching bands and equestrian models celebrated the New Year on a cold however dry Monday because the 134th Rose Parade slipped via a spot in California’s siege of drenching storms.
Pasadena’s annual floral spectacle provided the optimistic theme of “Turning the Corner” for 2023, and former U.S. Rep. Gabby Giffords of Arizona, who survived a 2011 capturing, served as grand marshal.
“The New Year is a time for renewal, an opportunity for a fresh start,” Tournament of Roses President Amy Wainscott advised the tv viewers.
The parade, which by custom is held on Jan. 2 when New Year’s Day falls on a Sunday, kicked off with the Los Angeles band Fitz and the Tantrums! performing “Let Yourself Free” and a crowd-pleasing flyby of two U.S. Air Force B-1B jets.
Rain has hardly ever fallen on the parade, however this 12 months it got here shut. Downpours pounded Southern California over the weekend and rain was anticipated to return by Monday night, probably affecting the Rose Bowl faculty soccer sport between Utah and Penn State.
But within the meantime, 1000’s of spectators and the parade members prevented a soaking.
Giffords rolled down the 5.5-mile (8.8-mile) route in a flower-decked vintage convertible, accompanied by her husband, Democratic U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona.
Marching bands got here from throughout the U.S. and all over the world.
The Riverside County, California, sheriff’s mounted unit was led by a riderless horse in honor of Deputy Isaiah Cordero, 32, who was slain throughout a visitors cease on Dec. 29.
The floats provided easy magnificence — birds, bees, bears, bugs and giraffes lined in flowers or different pure supplies — in addition to messages comparable to a Cal Poly universities’ entry referred to as the “Road to Reclamation” depicting animated snails and mushrooms dwelling on a fallen tree department.
The Louisiana Office of Tourism’s “Feed Your Soul” float depicting a paddlewheel riverboat was the stage for mid-parade efficiency by Lainey Wilson.
Donate Life’s brilliant orange and crimson Chinese road dragon blowing smoke out its nostrils was awarded the sweepstakes trophy for many lovely entry by the Tournament of Roses judges.
“American Idol” finalist Grace Kinstler carried out aboard a float selling tourism to her residence state of Illinois, and nation music star Tanya Tucker sang her present single, “Ready as I’ll Never Be,” within the parade’s finale.
Source: www.bostonherald.com”