PASADENA (CNS) – With the 136th Rose Parade at hand, thousands of people will descend on Pasadena — many of them beginning Tuesday — to get a glimpse of the iconic procession and snag prime viewing spots along the route.
The parade, themed “Best Day Ever,” will step off at 8 a.m. Wednesday for 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.”
Tennis legend Billie Jean King, a Long Beach native, will lead the procession as grand marshal.
For people planning to flock to the parade route, there are rules in place.
As usual, camping overnight along the route will be permitted only the night before the parade, on Tuesday night. People planning to camp can start claiming spaces on the sidewalk beginning at noon Tuesday, but all people and property such as blankets and chairs must remain on the curb until 11 p.m. After 11 p.m., spectators can move out to the blue “Honor Line” on the street.
The parade will begin at the corner of Green Street and Orange Grove Boulevard, moving north on Orange Grove then east on Colorado Boulevard, then turning north on Sierra Madre Boulevard and ending at Sierra Madre and Villa Street.
The route will close to vehicles at 10 p.m. Tuesday and remain closed until 2 p.m. Wednesday after the parade.
People planning to camp out overnight for the parade should take heed of the rules:
— Small, professionally made barbecues that are elevated at least 1 foot off the ground are permitted along the route, but they must be at least 25 feet from buildings and other combustibles. A fire extinguisher also must be readily available.
— People under age 18 will only be permitted on the parade route from 10 p.m. Tuesday to 5 a.m. Wednesday if they are supervised by an adult.
— Parade-goers should be prepared for cold weather and dress in layers.
— Tents, sofas or boxes that can be used as stools or seats are prohibited along the route.
— Bonfires along the route are prohibited.
— No items can be sold along the route without a city permit.
— Selling spaces along the parade route is prohibited.
— Horns may not be sold, given away or purchased along the route.
— No public areas can be roped off.
— Ladders or scaffolding that can be used for elevated viewing of the parade are prohibited.
— Open containers of alcohol are prohibited on public streets and sidewalks and other public areas.
Also barred along the parade route are drones. The “No Drone Zone” ordered by the Federal Aviation Administration also extends to flights over the Rose Bowl during the football game. Anyone who violates the drone ban may be subject to arrest, prosecution, jail and/or fines.
A complete list of parade regulations is available online at visitpasadena.com/events/annual-events/rose-parade-guide/.
As usual, security will be tight along the parade route, and anyone found violating the law or creating a disturbance will be removed from the area. Parade viewers are asked to report any suspicious activity and call 911 in the event of an emergency, or call 626-744-4241 for non-emergencies.
Various freeway ramps will be closed in the Pasadena area to control traffic from Tuesday night until Wednesday afternoon. According to Caltrans, the following closures will be in effect:
— westbound 210 Freeway off-ramp at Sierra Madre;
— eastbound 210 off-ramp at San Gabriel Boulevard;
— eastbound 134 Freeway at Orange Grove Boulevard; and
— westbound 134 Freeway on-ramp at Orange Grove.
Parking in the area will be limited and often sells out early, so parade-goers were urged to take Metro or other public transportation to the event. Metro will be offering free fares on all of its bus and rail lines beginning at 4 a.m. Tuesday through 3 a.m Wednesday. Additional trains on the A Line will be running during the early morning hours on Wednesday to accommodate parade-goers.
There are four Metro A Line stations located within a half-mile of the parade route.
Recent Comments