Every Rose Parade brings with it “The Moment.” Usually more than one — a lot more.
The towering floral dragon that really spewed flames. The performer who connected with the cheering fans — on Colorado Boulevard or on a sofa somewhere. The high-stepping band boasting more brassy energy than the floats have petals.
The parade rolls at 8 a.m. with live coverage on ABC, KTLA 5, NBC, Univision, RFD-TV, the Cowboy and Cowgirl Channels, and Great American Family. And we know there will be herds of horses, marching bands, the regal Rose Court, myriad parade dignitaries and the other usual delights.
But which entries will spur the moments that stick in the psyches beyond Jan. 1, 2024, for the 50 million folks tuning in? For a certain answer, call us at 10:05 a.m. on Monday.
In the meantime, here are some things that seem worthy of your attention on Monday morning, so time your potty breaks accordingly.
Here are 10 things to watch for during the 2024 Rose Parade:
The Skies
This is the topic on which every Rose fan is an amateur historian. Tilt your head toward the clouds and your parade-watching partner will bleat “It hasn’t rained on the parade since 2006. And it’s rained on the 135-year-old event only 10 times in its history.” All true. It SELDOM rains on this parade.
So welcome to our annual conversation on the weather. So far: Forecasters are calling for a 20% chance of showers in the morning, according to the National Weather Service. So we may get to see some umbrella-toting princesses and piccolo-players in ponchos.
Keep it all in perspective. Sure, a shower in Pasadena is history. But in some parts of the country, they’re dealing with blizzards, black ice and brownouts. Here, we get moistened mums and dripping daisies.
The Tunes
The theme this year is “Celebrating a World of Music: The Universal Language,” so expect even more melodies than usual.
This year’s high-profile performers include Destiny’s Child veteran Michelle Williams, “The Voice” title-winner Cassadee Pope and “American Idol” winner Jordin Sparks.
And the grand marshal herself is a musical legend, Broadway icon Audra McDonald. She probably won’t get to burst into song from the back seat of that 1910 Model M Thomas Flyer that she’ll be riding in. But we can dream, right?
The Critters
There are always lots of oversized animals, adorned in pampas grasses, straw stalks, sesame seeds and what not, but there seem to be even more this year.
The Pasadena Humane/Hill’s Pet Nutrition float features a dozen playful dogs and cats (these fanciful pets aren’t available for adoption — but see the shelter later for the pups and kits that are).
Cal Poly Universities is energized by electric eels and musical rays. The buzz on Union Station Homeless Services and La Cañada Flintridge entries are provided by bees.
Western Asset’s float boasts a guitar-playing bear. The UPS Story float stars a rapping gator. Elephants packed their trunks and climbed aboard the floats from South Pasadena, Enjoy Illinois and Boys & Girls Clubs.
Downey’s entry wooed a flock of flamingoes. A handful of floats have attracted butterflies. And insects. And carousel horses.
Want to try to total up all the critters? Call us when you’ve got the grand total — we lost count.
The Antioxidants
In perhaps the most nutritious float ever — music for your soul, fiber for your innards — Trader Joe’s will unveil the first-ever singing broccoli to grace the parade.
It’s unlikely they’ll be crooning “Green Onions” because that’s an instrumental. But we’re certain the tune will have a good beet. And they are sure to set off a broc party. Ladies and gentleman, the Fab Florets … . (Our apologies, but puns are rich in Vitamin P.)
The Long Story
Visit Newport Beach’s float will break the record for longest float ever at 165 feet. “Jingle on the Waves,” kind of a Newport Beach Boast Parade on wheels, is really five floats linked together — all celebrating the holiday season in the Orange County coastal destination.
Oops, sorry, we missed one earlier — there’s ANOTHER flamingo on this one.
The Champs
The hits just keep on coming for El Segundo’s 2023 Little League World Series champions, who may set a record for most parades rode in by the time they make it to the majors.
The headline-making team from the South Bay community delivered one dramatic win after another in snagging youth baseball gold and caught the attention of the nation in the process.
Now they will climb aboard the float from El Segundo-based DirecTV. But, no, they don’t get the ride it all the way home.
The Mayor (and his shoes?)
If you get to see Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo’s shoes this year, then something went wrong — again.
Last year, Gordo and his vehicle-mate Danny “Machete” Trejo got stalled when their 1907 Autcar shut down. The hearty pair didn’t wait for help — they climbed out of the classic car and hoofed it down the route, to the delight of fans. (Danny even got to show off some most memorable sportcoat-lining.)
This year, the mayor will ride in something a tad more contemporary — a 1967 Crown Firecoach Triple Combination fire truck.
Who knows, Danny may be nearby in an Uber, just in case.
The Rapid Transit
Grab your tokens and watch for some most unusual buses.
Tournament of Roses President Alex Aghajanian and his family will ride in a double-decker Omnibus, a public-transport classic that dates back to the early 1900s.
Not to be outdone, the groovy La Cañada Flintridge entry features two buses — an oversized hippie bus packed with a rock band comprised of Summer of Love-era flowers and a tiny replica alongside, featuring all-a-buzz admirers called, wait for it, “groupbees.”
The Soaring Stars
Look up! The Air Force B-2 Spirit Stealth Bomber returns this year after a one-year hiatus, aiming to make another booming entrance.
Watch for some floral flyers, too. Coding for Veterans’ first float features aircraft inspired by a Black Hawk chopper and an F-35 Lightning II jet.
And The Best Ad Ever for a Football Game
After the parade, we understand some out of state tourists will get to stretch their legs at a little football game not far away. The stakes? Bragging rites for the nation.
During the parade, you’ll get to see floats, cheerleaders and bands from the universities of Alabama and Michigan. The players will be otherwise occupied. They will square off at 2 p.m. in the Rose Bowl, aiming for a shot in the national championship game.
Also entered are football-flavored floats from ESPN, which broadcasts the Granddaddy of All Bowl Games, and the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame Class of 2023.