Rose Parade 2022: After pandemic year off, the tradition returns
Crowds were smaller than during a pre-pandemic year, and anxiety was much higher. But the parade was a go nonetheless. "The bloom is back," said Pasadena Tournament of Roses President Bob Miller.
Pasadena City College Honor Band color guard performs in the 133rd Rose Parade in Pasadena on Saturday, January 1, 2022. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Los Angeles Unified School District – All District High School Honor Band performs in the 133rd Rose Parade in Pasadena on Saturday, January 1, 2022. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Homewood High School Patriot Band from Alabama lines up for he 133rd Rose Parade in Pasadena on Saturday, January 1, 2022. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Homewood High School Patriot Band from Alabama lines up for he 133rd Rose Parade in Pasadena on Saturday, January 1, 2022. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Cheryl Stokely, of Sacramento, stays warm before the 133rd Rose Parade in Pasadena on Saturday, January 1, 2022. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
People use Under The Weather Instapods as they watch the 133rd Rose Parade in Pasadena on Saturday, January 1, 2022. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The Reese???s University, ???Chocolate. Peanut Butter. Success,??? float during the 133rd Rose Parade in Pasadena, CA., on Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
Ozzie Diaz, 30, with his daughter, Emily, 7, sit inside an InstaPod as they wait for the 133rd Rose Parade in Pasadena, CA., on Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
The Blue Diamond Growers, ???From Our Hearts to Your Hands,??? float during the 133rd Rose Parade in Pasadena, CA., on Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
The City of Alhambra, ???School Rocks,??? float during the 133rd Rose Parade in Pasadena, CA., on Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
The Sierra Madre Rose Float Association’s “Nature’s Classroom was given the “Director Award” during the 133rd Rose Parade in Pasadena, CA., on Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
City of Alhambra, “School Rocks” float Mini in the 133rd Rose Parade in Pasadena on Saturday, January 1, 2022. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The UPS Store’s “Rise, Shine & Read! is the Sweepstakes in the 133rd Rose Parade in Pasadena on Saturday, January 1, 2022. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The 133rd Rose Parade makes it way through Pasadena on Saturday, January 1, 2022. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The 133rd Rose Parade makes it way through Pasadena on Saturday, January 1, 2022. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
People stay warm before the 133rd Rose Parade in Pasadena on Saturday, January 1, 2022. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Bands of America Honor Band lines up for he 133rd Rose Parade in Pasadena on Saturday, January 1, 2022. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Young Marines line up for he 133rd Rose Parade in Pasadena on Saturday, January 1, 2022. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Young Marines carry the American flag in the 133rd Rose Parade in Pasadena on Saturday, January 1, 2022. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The 133rd Rose Parade makes it way through Pasadena on Saturday, January 1, 2022. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Tournament of Roses Grand Marshal LeVar Burton waves to the crowd during the 133rd Rose Parade in Pasadena on Saturday, January 1, 2022. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The 133rd Rose Parade makes it way through Pasadena on Saturday, January 1, 2022. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Mini Therapy Horses from Calabasas march in the 133rd Rose Parade in Pasadena on Saturday, January 1, 2022. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Clayton Echard of The Bachelor waves to the crowd during the 133rd Rose Parade in Pasadena on Saturday, January 1, 2022. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
University of Utah cheerleaders perform during the 133rd Rose Parade in Pasadena on Saturday, January 1, 2022. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Tournament of Roses President Bob Miller takes pictures during the 133rd Rose Parade in Pasadena on Saturday, January 1, 2022. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Burbank Tournament of Roses Association, “An Unlikely Tale,” self-built float in the 133rd Rose Parade in Pasadena on Saturday, January 1, 2022. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Rose Queen Nadia Chung waves to the crowd during 133rd Rose Parade in Pasadena on Saturday, January 1, 2022. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The 133rd Rose Parade makes it way through Pasadena on Saturday, January 1, 2022. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
University of Utah cheerleaders perform during the 133rd Rose Parade in Pasadena on Saturday, January 1, 2022. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Mayor of Pasadena Victor Gordo waves to the crowd during the 133rd Rose Parade in Pasadena on Saturday, January 1, 2022. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Merced County Sheriff Posse during the 133rd Rose Parade in Pasadena on Saturday, January 1, 2022. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Ohio State Marching Band performs during the 133rd Rose Parade in Pasadena on Saturday, January 1, 2022. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Ohio State cheerleaders and pep squad ride on their float during the 133rd Rose Parade in Pasadena on Saturday, January 1, 2022. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The 133rd Rose Parade makes it way through Pasadena on Saturday, January 1, 2022. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Hawaii Pa’u Riders during the 133rd Rose Parade in Pasadena on Saturday, January 1, 2022. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Hebron Marching Band of Carrollton, Texas performs in the 133rd Rose Parade in Pasadena on Saturday, January 1, 2022. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Kaiser Permanente’s, “A Healthier Future” float makes it way through the 133rd Rose Parade in Pasadena on Saturday, January 1, 2022. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Los Hermanos Bañuelos during the 133rd Rose Parade in Pasadena on Saturday, January 1, 2022. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Temecula Valley Horsemen’s Association during the 133rd Rose Parade in Pasadena on Saturday, January 1, 2022. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Rose Queen Nadia Chung and her court wave during 133rd Rose Parade in Pasadena on Saturday, January 1, 2022. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The crowd watches the 133rd Rose Parade in Pasadena on Saturday, January 1, 2022. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The crowd watches the 133rd Rose Parade in Pasadena on Saturday, January 1, 2022. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Kaiser Permanente’s, “A Healthier Future” float makes it way through the 133rd Rose Parade in Pasadena on Saturday, January 1, 2022. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
An award winning canine companion with the Temecula Valley Horsemen’s Association during the 133rd Rose Parade in Pasadena on Saturday, January 1, 2022. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The crowd watches the 133rd Rose Parade in Pasadena on Saturday, January 1, 2022. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The crowd watches the 133rd Rose Parade in Pasadena on Saturday, January 1, 2022. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
A man leads the hocking vehicles at the end of the 133rd Rose Parade in Pasadena on Saturday, January 1, 2022. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The crowd watches the 133rd Rose Parade in Pasadena on Saturday, January 1, 2022. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The Shriners Children???s, ???Celebrating 100 Years of Believing in Dreams,??? float during the 133rd Rose Parade in Pasadena, CA., on Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
The 1st Cavalry Division Horse Cavalry Detachment from Fort Hood, Texas, during the 133rd Rose Parade in Pasadena, CA., on Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
The Hernandez family, who is from Los Angeles, arrived in the city just before this year’s Rose Parade
The La Canada Flintridge Tournament of Roses Association,??? Who Says We Can???t,??? float during the 133rd Rose Parade in Pasadena, CA., on Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
Reese’s University, “Chocolate. Peanut Butter. Success. wins the Bob Hope Humor Award during the 133rd Rose Parade on Saturday, January 1, 2022. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The 133rd Rose Parade makes it way through Pasadena on Saturday, January 1, 2022. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Norco Cowgirls Rodeo Drill Team waves to the crowd during the 133rd Rose Parade in Pasadena on Saturday, January 1, 2022. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
LA County Sheriff deputies help clear the streets at the end of the 133rd Rose Parade in Pasadena on Saturday, January 1, 2022. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The crowd watches the United States Air Force Total Force Band and their planes make their way through the 133rd Rose Parade in Pasadena on Saturday, January 1, 2022. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The Peoples Parade follows the 133rd Rose Parade in Pasadena on Saturday, January 1, 2022. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
On a brisk, mid-40-degree morning, under clear blue skies, Pasadena came up roses for the first time in 730 days.
Crowds were smaller than during a pre-pandemic year, and anxiety was much higher. But on this day, Jan. 1, 2022, The Tournament of Roses Parade — the 133rd spectacle in a storied history — happened, ushering in a new and universally hoped-for better year in a COVID-era world fundamentally different from the last time this parade happened.
You could hear that change in the lyrics of LeAnn Rimes — opening the parade with a wish in a song:
“If I could throw my arms around the world.
Maybe I could love it back to life…”
And with the echo of her opening, and after a sobering, pandemic-soaked 2021, color came back to the parade’s 5.5-mile route along Colorado Boulevard.
Tournament of Roses President Bob Miller, at right, at the 133rd Rose Parade in Pasadena, CA., on Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022. (Photo by Dean Musgrove, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Parade fans along Colorado Blvd. at the 133rd Rose Parade in Pasadena, CA., on Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022. (Photo by Dean Musgrove, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The UPS Store “Rise Shine and Read” float was awarded the 2022 Sweepstakes Trophy at the 133rd Rose Parade in Pasadena, CA., on Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022. (Photo by Dean Musgrove, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Tournament of Roses Grand Marshall LeVar Burton at the 133rd Rose Parade in Pasadena, CA., on Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022. (Photo by Dean Musgrove, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Tournament of Roses Grand Marshall LeVar Burton at the 133rd Rose Parade in Pasadena, CA., on Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022. (Photo by Dean Musgrove, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Tournament of Roses Grand Marshall LeVar Burton at the 133rd Rose Parade in Pasadena, CA., on Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022. (Photo by Dean Musgrove, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The Donate Life, ???Courage to Hope,??? float during the 133rd Rose Parade in Pasadena, CA., on Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
The U.S. Air Force B-2 Spirit flyover at the 133rd Rose Parade in Pasadena, CA., on Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022. (Photo by Dean Musgrove, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
A woman is ready for the new year at the 133rd Rose Parade in Pasadena, CA., on Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022. (Photo by Dean Musgrove, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
A couple rest prior to the 133rd Rose Parade in Pasadena, CA., on Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022. (Photo by Dean Musgrove, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
A few more minutes of sleep before the parade at the 133rd Rose Parade in Pasadena, CA., on Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022. (Photo by Dean Musgrove, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The UPS Store “Rise Shine and Read” float was awarded the 2022 Sweepstakes Trophy at the 133rd Rose Parade in Pasadena, CA., on Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022. (Photo by Dean Musgrove, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The Downey Rose Float Association’s “Reading: Its An Adventure” at the 133rd Rose Parade in Pasadena, CA., on Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022. (Photo by Dean Musgrove, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Susan Van Campen walks along with the Donate Life float at the 133rd Rose Parade in Pasadena, CA., on Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022. (Photo by Dean Musgrove, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The Donate Life, ???Courage to Hope,??? float during the 133rd Rose Parade in Pasadena, CA., on Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
Young Marines carry the flag at the 133rd Rose Parade in Pasadena, CA., on Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022. (Photo by Dean Musgrove, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
LeVar Burton, actor and tv host, was named the Tournament of Roses Grand Marshal during the 133rd Rose Parade in Pasadena, CA., on Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
The Rotary, ???Changing Lives Through Education,??? float during the 133rd Rose Parade in Pasadena, CA., on Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
The UPS Store, “Rise, Shine & Read!” float won the Sweepstakes Award during the 133rd Rose Parade in Pasadena, CA., on Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
Members of the Young Marines carry a large flag during the 133rd Rose Parade in Pasadena, CA., on Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
The American Honda, Honda: Believe and Achieve! rolls down Colorado Boulevard during the 133rd Rose Parade in Pasadena, CA., on Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
It’s where the floats — adorned with their multicolored arrays of carnations, chrysanthemums and orchids — were lined up to dazzle.
After Rimes’ song, a B-2 soared over the crowd and set off a few car alarms in the process. The crowd, more dense at the parade’s starting point than at other places along the route, roared in response. And off they were, led by the popular parade Grand Marshal LeVar Burton atop the rear seat of an vintage Rolls Royce convertible. Waves. Smiles. Cheers from an adoring crowd for the Star Trek and “Reading Rainbow” star.
“The bloom is back,” said Pasadena Tournament of Roses President Bob Miller. “We’ve waited two years for this moment. We could not be more excited to bring it to our community, our country and our world.”
The symbolism of the pageant of floats and music, seen by millions globally on TV, was not lost in the Pasadena parade zeitgeist.
As Honda’s “Believe and Achieve” rounded the corner from Orange Grove Boulevard onto Colorado Boulevard, the parade’s first float seemed to beckon for a brighter year — depicting a young girl, wearing a rocket jet pack she’s designed and built, blasting off into her own future. Blasting off. New beginnings. New frontiers — metaphors and analogies for something better in 2022?
Though crowds were much thinner than the usual Rose Parade clamor, the scene from 5 a.m. on through the morning was a far cry from an eerily empty street 365 days ago, when in the midst of a catastrophic winter surge, Pasadena, like the rest of the nation and world, was experiencing the worst of the pandemic.
The toll of the virus’s first full year, 2020, had ended in the cancellation of the 2021 parade for the first time since World War II. At the time, COVID-19 had claimed more than 10,000 lives in Los Angeles County. By Jan. 1, 2022, it had claimed nearly 28,000 lives.
Indeed. This year’s parade comes as the highly transmissible omicron variant is raging. Pasadena itself is seeing among the city’s highest case rates ever, as frontline workers from hospitals to law enforcement across the region are beginning to call in sick after testing positive for the virus.
On Thursday, hoping to keep as many of its own frontline workers available to work, Kaiser Permanente pulled seven medical staffers from atop and 13 from around its planned entry, “Healthier Future” float.
“We must prioritize the health and safety of our front-line medical staff,” the company said in a statement, and “ensure we are able to treat patients during this recent surge of COVID-19 cases caused by the omicron variant.”
But organizers on Saturday had no regrets in the decision to go forward, amid a 2022 surge that public health experts say is likely to get worse before it gets better. The difference between this year and last is that vaccines are ubiquitous, and there’s hope that at least the latest variant is not as potent as past versions of the virus.
Also, the idea was to also celebrate scientists, teachers and frontline workers who have kept society afloat for the last two years, parade officials said.
Tournament and local public health and safety officials acknowledged the inherent risks of spreading among the most high-profile outdoor New Year’s Day events in the world. Planners leaned on a feasibility study by USC Keck School of Medicine.
“It’s time for America to come together, and thanks to science and scientists, our first-responders, essential workers, our healthcare professionals, we’re all here and it’s all good,” Miller said.
This year, city leaders had ramped up discussions to prepare for the thousands coming from Utah and Ohio to watch their college football teams play in the The Rose Bowl Game. And come they did — with grandstands, streets and storefronts full of Utah and Ohio fans, taking in the moment.
Spectators at the route’s “TV Corner,” from Green Street to the turn from Orange Grove onto Colorado — were required to provide proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test. Pasadena Police Chief John Perez asked locals and tourists to travel light. And officials emphasized that no furniture, couches or bonfires would be tolerated in the traditional camping out along Colorado.
Public health officials took solace in the fact that the event was outside, and cautioned people with compromised immune systems to consider staying home and catching the parade on TV this year. Some Rose-related events were canceled, including public float decorating and the Lawry’s Beef Bowl feast for the bowl game’s beefy participants.
The week’s heavy rain also drenched pre-parade events and cut down on their crowds — including the two-day Bandfest featuring Rose Parade marching bands, and Equestfest, the showcase for equestrian groups.
None of it stopped the die-hards, though.
Just like during non-COVID times, some stalwarts hit the streets on Friday at noon and planned to camp out overnight for the best spots.
“I guess with the pandemic, some people aren’t willing to risk it; they will just watch on TV,” said Michael Galindo, bundled up in a blanket. “But if I have the chance to go, I a going to watch it — especially since my friends are in it.”
And it didn’t stop the spectacle that thousands of volunteers and parade entries, from around the country and world, had been preparing for throughout a pandemic-ridden year.
From poop-scoopers to the “white suiters” to the parade’s Royal Court, they were determined to put on a parade soaked in themes of education, literacy, the importance of science, determination and perseverance.
The boys team charity follows the horses to keep the 133rd Rose Parade in Pasadena clean on Saturday, January 1, 2022. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
“You’re still in the parade. Even though you’re picking up horse poop, you’re still getting all the fans,” said Paz Jespersen, a youngster with boys team charity, a nonprofit group cleaning up after the equines along the route.
Her fellow scooper agreed: “Everyone’s cheering for you when you walk down the route,” said Reese Miller.
Entries included the city of Alhambra’s “School Rocks” float — its classic yellow school bus modified with race tires and flame paint job. There was the AIDS Healthcare Foundation’s “Vaccinate Our World” entry — encouraging vaccine equity in the world’s poorest countries. “Stargazers,” the float built by students at Cal Poly Pomona and San Luis Obispo urged viewers to heed the parade’s “dream” theme, riffing off the “Hey, Diddle Diddle” nursery rhyme.
Rodeo performers. The Salvation Army Tournament of Roses Band. Mini-Therapy Horses. The Los Angeles Unified School District High School Honor Band — all marching. Entrants came from all over, from Pasadena to Tennessee.
It was all worth it for Maria Hernandez and her family.
“It’s something you’ve got to appreciate in person,” said Hernandez, a longtime fan who wanted to show her children the hard work that goes in to putting it together.
Singer Jimmie Allen was scheduled to bookend the parade with a song called “Good Times Roll.”
