Preview of the 2024 Rose Parade Program

113 YEARS OF

FLORAL ARTISTRY With over a century of floral expertise, we know what it takes to bring the Rose Parade® to life. That’s why we’re proud to celebrate the dozens of talented floral artists who work around the clock to make today a success.

Because without them, it’s just traffic.

Luckily, there are amazing floral artists all over the country, and we connect you to them. So next time you’re ready to celebrate, we’re here to help make your special moments as memorable as the Tournament of Roses®.

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2024 ROSE PARADE® PROGRAM Acknowledgments Artistic Entertainment Services Covered Group Erik Burn Photography Fiesta Parade Floats FR Springer Kathy Schuh Photography Michelle Mishina Photography Monica Linda Photography Perceptiv Phoenix Decorating Company Tournament of Roses Members & Staff Van Wagner Sports and Entertainment

4 Rose Parade Participants 7 Volunteer Membership 8 History of the Parade 10 2024 Tournament of Roses President Alex Aghajanian 12 Community Support 14 Tournament of Roses Foundation 16 2024 Tournament of Roses Grand Marshal Audra McDonald 18 2024 Rose Court presented by Citizens Business Bank 23 Executive Committee 24 Committees, Chairs and Vice Chairs 27 Staff 29 Rose Bowl Game Hall of Fame Inductees 30 Float Awards presented by FTD 31 Float Judges 32 Broadcast Partners 34 Thank you to our Sponsors 36 Order of March 39 135th Rose Parade presented by Honda

This program in its entirety is published and copyrighted in 2023 by the Pasadena Tournament of Roses® Association. 391 South Orange Grove Blvd., Pasadena, California 91184. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission of the publisher is prohibited.

The registered marks of the Tournament of Roses Association are: Tournament of Roses®, Pasadena Tournament of Roses®, Rose Queen®, Rose Parade®, Rose Bowl Parade®, Rose Bowl®, Rose Bowl Game®, The Granddaddy of Them All®, America’s New Year Celebration® and Rose logo. Attendance at Tournament of Roses events shall constitute consent to use an attendee’s picture or likeness in Tournament authorized publications and communications.

All rights reserved. Official Logos, Trademarks and copyrights used with permission. ©2023 Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association participants, sponsors, partners and vendors.

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R O S E PA R A D E PA R T I C I PA N T S F L O AT S The Rose Parade’s magnificent floats have undergone remarkable transformations through the years and remain dedicated to upholding its floral roots. Every surface of the floats must be adorned with flowers or other natural elements like leaves, seeds or bark. When it comes to delicate flowers, particularly roses, each flower is placed in water-filled vials and carefully placed into the float.

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BANDS The musical heritage of the Rose Parade has thrived since 1891. In the Parade’s second year, the Monrovia, California City Band was the first band to march alongside the procession of floweradorned pony carts. The tradition continues with countless musicians from around the globe including high schools, colleges, universities and military bands who embark on the famous march through Pasadena on New Year's Day. Throughout its history, the Parade has showcased an array of talented musicians, including marching bands, drum and bugle corps, brass and percussion ensembles, as well as the enchanting sounds of bagpipes.

EQUESTRIANS On January 1, 1890, Grand Marshal Francis Rowland and Tournament of Roses President Charles Holder kicked off the very first Rose Parade, leading the way on horseback. Today, equestrian units continue to play an integral and cherished role in America’s New Year Celebration. Each year, the Parade showcases a variety of horse breeds that captivate audiences with their unique style and elegance. The equestrian units proudly display their special skills and don vibrant costumes that align with the Rose Parade theme, all while honoring enduring traditions.

TOURNAMENT ENTRIES The Tournament Entries consist of vehicles that carry distinguished individuals including the Grand Marshal, Mayor of Pasadena, Rose Bowl Hall of Fame Inductees and the Tournament of Roses President. These entries feature classic and vintage cars exquisitely adorned with floral arrangements, reminiscent of Parade entries from the past. These entries are decorated by FTD® Flowers, the official floral partner of the Tournament of Roses.

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VOLUNTEER MEMBERSHIP Since 1890, the Tournament of Roses and its Members have ensured that on the first of January, millions around the world are united in celebration of a new year.

For more than 130 years, the Members have continued the rich tradition while looking to the future.

The Pasadena Tournament of Roses is one of the leading volunteer organizations in the world. The Association focuses on engaging its 935 volunteer Members with delightful, rewarding and memorable experiences. Each year, more than 80,000 hours of combined service are dedicated to producing the Rose Parade and Rose Bowl Game. With the support of our community, staff and membership bring America’s New Year Celebration to life for millions of people around the world.

We invite you to join our community of enthusiastic volunteers who help produce these iconic events. It’s a fun and exciting way to meet new people and give back to the community!

For more information, connect with the Membership Department at membership@tournamentofroses.com or 626.449.4100.

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• CREATE INCREDIBLE MEMORIES WITH NEW FRIENDS

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• GAIN PRIORITY ACCESS TO EXCLUSIVE EVENTS AND GATHERINGS

A MEMBER

• CONNECT AND MEET WITH PEOPLE FROM AROUND THE WORLD

• EXPERIENCE BEHIND-THESCENES EVENT MANAGEMENT • AND MUCH MORE…

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1927

HISTORY OF T H E PA R A D E

1972

First Parade theme— “Songs in Flowers.”

The Rose Court sports a fashionable wardrobe essential, the yellow pantsuit.

1960

1913

Isabella Coleman breaks ground for women by designing winning float and becoming first woman to r eceive Sweepstakes trophy.

Inaugural Tournament of Roses festival began with a picnic, succeeded by thrilling f oot races. Winners received fresh rose garlands c reated from Pasadena’s magnificent gardens. Attendees arrived in carriages decorated with fl owers, commencing the first Rose Parade.

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1890

Offices built behind Tournament House and b ecame the official headquarters of the Tournament of Roses.

1902

Rose Parade became the first parade in the world to be broadcast o n the radio.

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1952

Rose Bowl Game played for the first time with the University of Michigan defeating Stanford University 49–0.

Coldest New Year’s Day (on record) in Pasadena at 32°F.

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1996

Salia Baligh, fi rst Rose Court m ember who is hard of hearing.

Kermit the Frog leads the parade as G rand Marshal for 107th Rose Parade.

2017

21"

1986

New Sweepstakes trophy designed, exact same height as the Leishman trophy, presented to winner o f the Rose Bowl Game.

2020

Rose Parade became the first parade to be broadcast l ive via satellite, expanding t he Parade's global reach.

2007

Caltech measures the seismically loudest marching band, the g round-shaking honor going to Southern University and A &M College’s marching band f rom Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

2024

Stormtroopers march down P arade route alongside G eorge Lucas, Star Wars c reator and Grand Marshal o f 2007 Rose Parade.

2015

135th Rose Parade participants include 40 fl oats, 21 marching bands and 19 equestrian units.

Tournament of Roses celebrates diversity with the selection of Rich Chinen as President of the association.

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2024 TOURNAMENT OF ROSES PRESIDENT ALEX AGHAJANIAN

ALEX P. AGHAJANIAN’S EARLIEST RECOLLECTIONS of growing up in Pasadana are vivid memories of Parade floats, bands and horses. His father would invite family and friends to their home to enjoy the New Year’s Eve celebrations, the Rose Parade and Rose Bowl Game. The streets of his childhood home became the gathering area for the horses and riders of equestrian units. Alex even recalls his parents inviting cowboy western stars like Montie Montana and TV personalities like George Putnam, who rode in the Parade, to enjoy the post parade festivities in their living room.

As Alex entered high school, he and his friends carried on the family traditions of enjoying the Rose Parade by camping out on the Parade route, sometimes for days, with campfires and tents as anticipation for parade morning grew. Later, as a college student, he invited his then girlfriend, now wife of 41 years, Paula, for an “early date at the Parade.” Paula had never attended the Parade, and so began a long-standing tradition of camping out together, sitting by the fire, looking for that first float, and listening for the first band marching down the boulevard. In the following years, Alex included his future in-laws, extended family, and more friends to join him and Paula on the Parade route.

1988 was a busy year for Alex and the Aghajanian family. Alex and Paula were growing their family and their lives in Pasadena, while Alex was advancing his law career. With so many fond memories of growing up watching the iconic Rose Parade, Alex wanted to be a part of the annual celebration, and eagerly submitted his application to be a White Suiter of the Tournament of Roses. But to his surprise, his initial application was rejected. The next year, without hesitation, Alex fine-tuned his application and was ACCEPTED!!! To this day, 35 years later, Alex still has and wears his same first pair of 1989 white buck shoes from his first uniform. However, we can’t say the same for the first white suit.

As a brand new volunteer, while guarding a gate that first long New Year’s Eve night with another member, who happened to be a doctor, Alex discovered what he now believes is the most special part of Tournament membership. “The Rose Parade unites people from all walks of life, regardless of their background or profession. Be it a doctor or a lawyer, a barber or a schoolteacher, association Members come together each year, with a common purpose,” says Alex. With the shared goal of propelling the Parade forward to bring joy and excitement to millions around the world, the volunteer Members selflessly dedicate their time, while creating lifelong friendships along the way.

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2024 TOURNAMENT OF ROSES GRAND MARSHAL AUDRA MCDONALD AUDRA MCDONALD is unparalleled in the breadth and

versatility of her artistry as both a singer and an actor. The winner of a record-breaking six Tony Awards®, two GRAMMY Awards® and an Emmy® Award, in 2015 she was named one of Time magazine’s 100 most influential people and received the National Medal of Arts—America’s highest honor for achievement in the field—from President Barack Obama.

Blessed with a luminous soprano and an incomparable gift for dramatic truth-telling, she is as much at home on Broadway and the opera stage as in her film and television roles. Alongside her theatrical work, she maintains a major career as a concert and recording artist, regularly appearing at the world’s foremost venues.

Photo © Autumn de Wilden

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ROSE BOWL GAME HALL O F FA M E I N D U C T E E S ROSE BOWL HALL OF FAME CLASS OF 2023 The Rose Bowl Hall of Fame was established in 1989 to pay tribute to members of the Rose Bowl Game who have contributed to the history and excitement of the game and those who embody the highest level of passion, strength, tradition and honor associated with The Granddaddy of Them All. Kirk Herbstreit has become synonymous with the Rose Bowl Game as he is set to call his 16th edition of The Granddaddy of Them All® on New Year's Day, surpassing Keith Jackson with the most broadcasts in the history of the game. Herbstreit served as the analyst on ABC from 2007 to 2010 and, more recently as the analyst on 11 of the last 13 ESPN telecasts.

He joined ESPN as an analyst for College GameDay in 1996 and has been an ESPN/ABC lead analyst since 2006. Herbstreit played football at Ohio State and was a senior captain in 1992 when he was named team MVP. Lincoln Kennedy started at offensive tackle in three Rose Bowl Games, including wins over Iowa in 1991 and Michigan in 1992, the latter of which earned Washington the national championship. A two-time winner of the Morris Trophy, given to the top lineman in the Pac-10, Kennedy was a unanimous All-American in 1992 and led the Huskies back to their third straight trip to Pasadena for the 1993 Rose Bowl Game.

Kennedy went on to be drafted ninth overall in the 1993 NFL Draft and played in the NFL for 11 seasons, including three Pro Bowl selections. He was inducted into the University of Washington Husky Hall of Fame in 2004 and the National Football Foundation Hall of Fame in 2015.

Cliff Montgomery led Columbia to one of the biggest upsets in Rose Bowl Game history as the Lions upset Stanford, 7-0, in the 1934 edition of The Granddaddy of Them All. Montgomery, an AllAmerican in 1933, was named Player of the Game and went on to play in the first College Football All-Star Game. After graduation, Montgomery played one professional football season for the Brooklyn Dodgers. He served in the military during World War II as a lieutenant commander in the United States Navy. In 1963, he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. Montgomery became a football official and officiated college football for more than 25 years. He passed away in 2005 at the age of 94.

With the addition of this year’s class, the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame includes 143 inductees over its 34-year history.

Inductees are honored with a permanent plaque that includes their name and year of induction at The Court of Champions at the Rose Bowl Stadium; they are featured during the Rose Parade presented by Honda and are recognized on the field during the Rose Bowl Game presented by Prudential.

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2 0 2 4 R O S E PA R A D E O P E N I N G S P E C TA C U L A R P R E S E N T E D BY H O N DA The 2024 Opening Spectacular presented by Honda ushers in a new, dynamic creative approach for the Rose Parade, highlighting not one, not two, but three recording artists from various backgrounds and musical worlds.

The first artist featured is David Archuletta who draws in the audience with his astounding vocal range performing inside a seemingly infinite tunnel of roses. Upon exiting the tunnel, the performance transfers over to Cassadee Pope, who is leading a rock and roll carpool karaoke moment inside a car full of dancers! As the performance spills outside of the car the energy transfers over to the iconic Michelle Williams of Destiny’s Child, who is performing in what looks like the center of a giant rose, with dancers surrounding her with large flower petal fans creating a Busby Berkeley homage. The maestro of the performance takes center stage as the DJ, Rush Davis, takes the performance into a full street party with acrobatic trickers exploding to life around him.

In a climactic finale moment, all three artists converge on the main stage in a massive street party spectacle that opens up the entire performance space with the full cast of 28 dances and trickers, as well as impressive pyrotechnics and the new Honda Motocompactos weaving in and out of the performers on the street.

David Archuletta

Photo © Zak Knudson

United States Air Force B-2 Spirit Stealth Bomber 509th Bomb Wing, Whiteman Air Force Base The B-2 Spirit, from Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, is a multi-role bomber capable of delivering both conventional and nuclear munitions. A dramatic leap forward in technology, the bomber represents a major milestone in the U.S. bomber modernization program. The B-2 brings massive firepower to bear, in a short time, anywhere on the globe.

Rush Davis

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Honda “Keep Dreaming” Artistic Entertainment Services Celebrating 30 years as the Official Vehicle of the Rose Parade®, Honda leads the way once again in 2024 with “Keep Dreaming”, an inspirational float that highlights the company’s environmental leadership, including some of Honda’s most extraordinary innovations and exciting research endeavors as Honda embarks on an electrified future.

“Keep Dreaming” celebrates the Honda associates and engineers who never stop pursuing their dreams to help improve people’s lives, today and tomorrow. The Honda float emphasizes how these efforts have brought to life a wide range of innovative mobility products for use on the road, the racetrack, and into the skies.

a new Honda vehicle out of old Honda vehicles! The float also features a Honda R&D research project, called Dreamo, that uses algae technology to capture CO2 emissions and convert it to food, dietary supplements, biofuel or a bioplastic. Honda space technology efforts also are showcased, including hydrogen technologies and renewable energy to create new value in the ultimate environment of outer space.

Developed through innovative technology and the sheer determination of Honda engineers, the groundbreaking Honda products featured on the ambitious float include the electrified ARX-06 race machine that recently claimed Acura’s third consecutive victory at the 24 Hours of Daytona and the new Honda TRX90X sport ATV. Flying high above are the HondaJet Echelon, Honda’s next-generation business jet, and the Honda eVTOL (electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft), a product of the future that will make mobility in the skies even more accessible.

Alongside the float, riders are zipping down the parade route on the cool new Honda Motocompacto, a fun, affordable ultra-compact e-scooter designed for urban mobility.

The float showcases Honda’s commitment to sustainability through the concept of resource circulation: recycling and reusing every bit of the materials from Honda vehicles to create new products. In short, to make

Honda has partnered with the Tournament of Roses® for more than 60 years and has been the presenting sponsor of the renowned event for more than a decade.

United States Marine Corps Mounted Color Guard

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Barstow, California Marshal: Sgt. Christian Drumheller The U.S. Marine Corps is known as the Nation’s premiere force-inreadiness, acquitting themselves in every major battle and conflict since its establishment in 1775. Marines are positioned at all times around the globe, ready at a moment’s notice to respond to any crisis. The U.S. Marine Corps Mounted Color Guard (USMCMCG) was formed in 1967 by Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow Officers and Non-Commissioned Officers to enhance the image of the Marine Corps and MCLB Barstow in community events. The U.S. Marine Corps Mounted Color Guard proudly carries the American flag and U.S. Marine Corps flag, and has been leading the Rose Parade since 1985. As the last remaining mounted unit in the Marine Corps, they play a key role in recruitment. The Mounted Color Guard rides palomino mustangs adopted from the Bureau of Land Management’s “Adopt a Horse and Burro Program.”

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United States Marine Corps West Coast Composite Band San Diego and Camp Pendleton, California Bandmaster: Master Gunnery Sergeant Devon Van The United States Marine Corps West Coast Composite Band is a combined military band composed of U.S. Marines from the 1st Marine Division Band, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing Band and Marine Band San Diego. Donning the dress blue uniform, these marine musicians are fully combat trained, and many have completed military tours overseas. To become a musician in the Marine Corps, recruits go through an extensive audition process and additional schooling. Although these bands perform individually more than 300 times a year, the Rose Parade is the only event that brings these elite musicians together at the same time.

The drum major for United States Marine Corps West Coast Composite Band is Gunnery Sergeant Geoffrey A. Parks.

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The 2024 Grand Finale highlights the connection between the Rose Parade and the Rose Bowl Game with an all-in sports-themed performance that is an homage to the world of college football.

Headlined by Jordin Sparks performing a three-song medley, this performance takes on a sonic journey—from “Stadiums,” a bass-thumping homage to stadium sports, to her celebratory duet, “Celebrate,” which is the perfect New Year’s Day anthem, and closing with “No Air” an iconic and hopeful ballad to carry us into 2024.

Sparks, who comes from a family of several former college football players including her father, who was both a college and NFL player, will perform alongside 28 dancers, acrobatic trickers and ultimately a choir singing backup.

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113 YEARS OF

FLORAL ARTISTRY With over a century of floral expertise, we know what it takes to bring the Rose Parade® to life. That’s why we’re proud to celebrate the dozens of talented floral artists who work around the clock to make today a success.

Because without them, it’s just traffic.

Luckily, there are amazing floral artists all over the country, and we connect you to them. So next time you’re ready to celebrate, we’re here to help make your special moments as memorable as the Tournament of Roses®.

F T D . C O M OR VI S I T YO U R LO C A L FT D FL O R I S T