On Monday, 1 January 2024, the 135th Rose Parade, presented by Honda, got underway at 8:00 a.m. Four categories of entries were showcased in the 5-and-a-half-mile long parade along Colorado Boulevard: floral-decorated floats submitted by participating corporations, non-profit organizations, and municipalities; equestrian units; bands; and tournament entrants.
The Rose Parade is an iconic New Year’s Day tradition produced by the non-profit Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association for millions of people who were at the show worldwide. According to the Los Angeles Times, 3,000 people watched the inaugural Tournament of Roses in 1890, which featured “Gayly bedecked carriages and horses carrying garlands of roses” in its parade.
Over a century later, the various kinds of masterfully crafted floats, concealed beneath flowers and other natural materials, represent thematic art mixed with a marvel of cutting-edge technology.
The theme for this year was “Celebrating a World of Music: The Universal Language,” and therefore, to start the celebrations, American Idol runner-up David Archuleta and singer Michelle Williams performed on the stage.
Cassadee Pope, the 2012 Voice winner, and musical artist Rush Davis also presented their own songs prior to the grand finale, which was hosted by American singer and actress Jordin Sparks.
The entire show was broadcast on networks like ABC, NBC, and Univision while simultaneously being live-streamed on YouTube and Pluto TV.
My favorite rose parade performance so far
the blues brothers on the Illinois float #RoseParade pic.twitter.com/YgXVw2E90S
— pro dreamer (@prodreamer1) January 1, 2024
Awards Given at the Rose Parade
The Americana Trophy was given to the Cowboy Channel’s “Cowgirls Rule!” floats for their portrayal of national treasures and customs. Country singer Annie Bosko’s performance, keeping in theme with the musical nature of the parade, also helped in complimenting the theme of the float, which aimed to honor the various achievements of women in Western sports.
The Sweepstakes Trophy, a distinguished prize given to the most attractive entry in terms of float design, flower presentation, and entertainment, also celebrated the significant milestone of its 100th year.
The San Diego Zoo won this award with pride, as they demonstrated their mastery in all these areas with their float titled “It All Started With a Roar.” Judge Heather de Kok, who runs a flower shop in Alberta, Canada, also created an exquisite red rose arrangement to honor this noteworthy accomplishment.
The Rose Parade is also followed by the Rose Bowl, a major bowl game in American college football that would take place in Pasadena, California.
The 110th Rose Bowl will take place as one of the semifinals of the 2023–24 College Football Playoff. The teams competing are the first-ranked Michigan Wolverines of the Big Ten and the fourth-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide of the SEC, chosen by the College Football Playoff Selection Committee.
Every Horse Unit of Rose Parade 2024
The Rose Parade has a rich history of equestrian units which perform and participate in New Year’s Day. All the horse units that have appeared in the 2024 parade are:
1st Cavalry Division Horse Cavalry Detachment
Origin: Fort Cavazos, Texas
Marshal: Cpt. Michael Gates
Previous appearances: 2024 will mark this unit’s 19th Rose Parade
Arabian Horse Association Versatile Arabians
Origin: Greenwood Village, Colorado
Marshal: Nancy Harvey
Previous appearances: 2024 will mark this unit’s 7th Rose Parade
Blue Shadows Mounted Drill Team
Origin: Lakeview Terrace, California
Marshal: Allyson Wreede
Previous appearances: 2019, 2020, 2022 and 2023
Budweiser Clydesdales
Origin: St. Louis
Marshal: Richard Rosen
Previous appearances: Annually from 1954-2011, returning in 2014, and then continuing to make frequent reappearances.
California Cowgirls Drill Team
Origin: Wilton, California
Marshal: Melanie Welcher
Long Beach Mounted Police & Kings County Sheriff’s Posse
Origin: Long Beach and Kings County, California
Marshals: Laurine McCaw, John Fagundes/Sheriff Dave Robinson
Previous appearances: For the Long Beach Mounted Police, annually from 1946-2013, then again in 2016 and 2018
Los Hermanos Bañuelos Charro Team
Origin: Altadena
Marshal: Ramon Bañuelos
Previous appearances: Every Rose Parade since 2006
The New Buffalo Soldiers
Origin: Shadow Hills, California
Marshal: August Simien Jr.
The Norco Cowgirls Rodeo Drill Team
Origin: Norco
Marshal: Mychon Bowen
Orange County Regional Mounted Enforcement Unit/Western State Mounted Officer Association
Origin: Orange County
Marshal: Eric Anderson
Painted Ladies Rodeo Performers
Origin: Sacramento
Marshal: Jennifer Macias-Sweeney
Scripps Miramar Ranch
Origin: San Diego
Marshal: Michele Macfarlane
Silver Spurs Riding Club Quadrille
Origin: Kissimmee, Florida
Marshal: Ashley Fluke
Smokey Bear’s 80th Birthday Celebration
Origin: Washington D.C.
Marshal: Michael Morse
Spirit of the West Riders
Origin: Arcadia
Marshal: Douglas Larner
Valley Hunt Club
Origin: Pasadena
Marshal: Gerben Leyendekker
Victorian Roses Ladies Riding Society
Origin: Alpine, California
Marshals: Jamie Gassert, Deana Sommerville
United States Marine Corps Mounted Color Guard
Origin: Barstow
Marshal: Christian Drumheller
Previous appearances: This unit has been in charge of leading every Rose Parade since 1985.
