The annual Rose Parade has returned to Pasadena, California, following a year of hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The 132-year-old New Year’s Day tradition that precedes the college football Rose Bowl went ahead as scheduled Saturday during a surge in coronavirus cases. Flower-covered floats, marching bands, and equestrians took to the streets amid clear weather, with thousands of masked spectators watching from the sidelines. The festivities’ “Dream. Believe. Achieve.” theme was recycled from the canceled 2021 parade.
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Attendees told the Orange County Register they were cautious but ready for something to celebrate, even as up to 1 in 5 people test positive for COVID-19 in Los Angeles County. More than 90% of parade staff and volunteers were vaccinated, according to David Eads, the executive director and CEO of the Tournament of the Roses.
“We understand we’re in a COVID surge and that there could be a spread of COVID,” Eads said. “But we’re asking people to take individual responsibility.”
Hundreds of people camped on the side of the streets overnight to secure good views for free, while those who paid to sit in the stands had to stay masked and present proof of vaccination or negative COVID-19 tests.
However, the lineup did experience one hiccup. Kaiser Permanente pulled 20 front-line healthcare workers from its float in an effort to “prioritize the health and safety of our front-line medical staff and ensure we are able to treat patients during this recent surge of COVID-19 cases caused by the omicron variant,” the healthcare network said.
Float highlights included AMC Theatres’ full movie screen with CEO Adam Aron riding along.
I’ll be waving to all of you live from our @AMCTheatres Rose Bowl Parade float — with 50,000 flowers and giant LED screens showing coming attractions. The 39th of 86 to march in the 2022 Tournament of Roses Parade. Broadcast on ABC/NBC Jan 1 at 11 am EST. Movie & Popcorn anyone? pic.twitter.com/Fd5n3FV6w0
— Adam Aron (@CEOAdam) December 30, 2021
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The parade precedes the Rose Bowl game, which this year will be between the Utah Utes and the Ohio State Buckeyes.
The only other times the parade was canceled before 2021 was during the height of World War II.
