Photo: RINGO CHIU / AFP / Getty Images
PASADENA (CNS) - Under the watchful eye of tens of thousands of spectators and millions of television viewers around the globe, the 136th Rose Parade will make its annual trek down Colorado Boulevard in Pasadena Wednesday, led by grand marshal Billie Jean King.
The parade, themed "Best Day Ever," will step off at 8 a.m. near Tournament House -- headquarters of the Tournament of Roses -- and make its traditional 5 1/2-mile procession along Colorado Boulevard.
"The 2025 theme celebrates life's best moments -- those unexpected times that bring a smile, warm our hearts and fill us with joy," Tournament of Roses President Ed Morales said in a statement unveiling the parade theme. "From a once-in-a-lifetime experience to the simplest pleasures, each is indelibly etched into our memory. Together, we celebrate where we've been and what we look forward to. It's about family, friends, and community and what we have to celebrate -- and to be thankful for. On New Year's Day and throughout the year, let's celebrate the times that make up our Best Day Ever."
The parade will begin at the corner of Green Street and Orange Grove Boulevard, move north on Orange Grove then east on Colorado Boulevard, then turn north on Sierra Madre Boulevard and end at Sierra Madre and Villa Street.
Billie Jean King, a tennis legend and lifelong advocate of gender equality in sports, was announced as the grand marshal in October, with Morales saying her "trailblazing work has elevated women in sports and inspired countless best days ever for athletes and fans around the globe."
King called the honor a "dream come true."
"The annual Tournament of Roses parade was a big deal in our home," the Long Beach native said. "We used to talk about it all year long, about January 1st. `Oh, we know what we're gonna do.' We look forward to it every single year. ... So we watch the parade, then we get all ready for the game. And the Rose Bowl stands in history, not just for college football, but it also for me, personally, it will always be significant as the host site of the 1999 World Cup of women's soccer. That game, which had more than 90,000 people in the stadium, was a historic moment for all sports, but especially women's sports, because everybody said nobody's going to show up. And they had over 90,000 people."
The parade will also be presided over by the 106th Rose Queen -- Westridge School senior Lindsay Charles -- and the six members of her Rose Court:
-- Lisette Parker, a senior at Maranatha High School;
-- Saniyah Brunston, a senior at John Muir High School;
-- Lara Georgian, a senior at Mayfield Senior School;
-- Natalia Pradhan, a senior at Flintridge Preparatory School;
-- Simone Ball, a senior at Arcadia High School; and
-- Kate Kelly, a senior at La Cañada High School.
The parade will begin with an "Opening Spectacular" musical performance by Kiesza and Aloe Blacc aboard a float by performance sponsor Honda themed "Electrified Dreams." Officials said the float will include a synchronized light show with electric tubes, pyrotechnics and stunts.
There will also be mid-parade performances, including one sponsored by Visit Illinois and its float titled "Play Hooky in Illinois," inspired by the classic film "Ferris Bueller's Day Off." The performance will feature musical artist and Illinois native Brian Culbertson, joined by a Ferris Bueller look-alike and dancers.
A second mid-parade performance will be sponsored by Visit Mississippi, featuring singer Brandon Bennett and the group Chapell Hart.
The parade's grand finale musical performance will feature pop icon Debbie Gibson, along with singer-songwriter Betty Who and students and alumni of the Debbie Allen Dance Academy. Actress/dancer/choreographer Debbie Allen will also make an appearance, riding a float celebrating the 25th anniversary of her dance academy.
Two dozen marching bands are set to appear in the parade, including groups from across the country as well as Japan, Denmark and Chile. The bands of the two universities competing in the Rose Bowl Game -- Oregon and Ohio State -- will also march in the procession.
More than a dozen equestrian groups will also take part in the parade, including the 1st Cavalry Division Horse Cavalry Detachment, the Arabian Horse Association, the Budweiser Clydesdales and the Los Hermanos Bañuelos Charro Team.
But of course, the real highlight of the parade is the lineup of floral-covered floats. Nearly 40 floats will make their way along Colorado Boulevard, including some sponsored by Southland cities and others backed by businesses and organizations such as UPS, Trader Joe's, the San Diego Zoo, Pasadena Humane, Kiwanis International and Kaiser Permanente. Universal Pictures will also have a float in the procession celebrating its film "Wicked," featuring the production's star characters -- Glinda and Elphaba.
OneLegacy will again have its traditional Donate Life float, themed "Let Your Life Soar," honoring organ donors. This year's float will include 18 organ recipients and donors riding or walking alongside the float. Another 26 deceased donors will be honored along with their families. Those donors are recognized through "floragraphs," or floral portraits, that adorn the float.
Following the parade, the floats will go on display at the Floatfest at Sierra Madre and Washington boulevards, giving spectators a chance to a get a close-up look at the creations. The Floatfest will be open from 1:30 to 5 p.m. Wednesday, and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday and Friday. The Floatfest will open at 7 a.m. Thursday for seniors and people with disabilities.