Final words of the 128th Rose Parade from the Tournament of Roses and Santa Clara Vanguard Drum and Bugle Corps.
American Honda presents spectacular opening show at the Tournament of Roses Parade, including a band and drill teams, the Theme Banner float, and the company’s own float. The crowd responds with loud cheers. First, though, is the contingent of Pasadena Police Department motorcycle cops, who do some fancy riding to get the folks warmed up, and the sound and pace cars. The show was especially rousing for the 128th Rose Parade, and is really best seen from the overhead cameras of KTLA. A post-parade video of the float is on YouTube.
As the parade finishes up, Wells Fargo takes the reins with a stagecoach and a patriotic performance that honors military veterans. In 2017, the entry focused on the American Red Cross’ assistance to veterans and their families. Coming at the official end of the parade is a mounted law enforcement group.
And then comes the “Second Parade,” a mass of folks organizing in what seems a spontaneous demonstration, but which is usually well-rehearsed so parade-goers will be entertained while the point is made.
All photos are copyright Ramona Monteros or Laura B. Monteros
Opening Show presented by American Honda
Almost ready for step off! The Honda sound truck and pace car lead the way.
US Air Force B-2 Spirit stealth bomber flies over the Rose Parade route.
Drones aren’t allowed above the Rose Parade route, but this bot slipped in.
Pasadena Police motorcycle officers lead off the parade and clear the route with some fancy riding.
American Honda flag corps and Pasadena City College herald trumpets salute the VIPs.
American Honda 2017 Ridgeline truck, driven by Tournament of Roses White Suiters, was the sound car for the Rose Parade.
The opening show drill team spelled out “Go Roses!”
With bouquets of roses, the American Honda drill team performs at the 128th Tournament of Roses Parade on Jan. 1, 2017.
Rifle drills add excitement to the 2017 opening show.
2017 “Echoes of Success” Theme Banner float, built by Phoenix Decorating Company, displays the poster art and carries a trio of singers.
The entire opening show cast lines up to begin the march along the 5 ½ mile Rose Parade route.
2017 “Echoes of Success” Theme Banner float, built by Phoenix Decorating Company, displays the poster art and carries a trio of singers.
2017 “Echoes of Success” Theme Banner float, built by Phoenix Decorating Company, displays the poster art and carries a trio of singers.
Chloe has at least one huge fan in the grandstands!
“Hope Blooms Forever” on the 2017 American Honda Rose Parade float. The structures on the float mimic origami creations. Flowers and butterflies were animated and the origami rose on top opened to release doves.
Life-size figures from feudal Japan are created for the annual “Chrysanthemum Dolls in Nihonmatsu” festival held each fall. Mike Abboud designed “Hope Blooms Forever” for Phoenix Decorating Company.
The Honda-TOMODACHI Initiative was represented by 20 high school students from the Fukushima prefecture of Japan, which was heavily damaged by the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami of 2011.
“Hope Blooms Forever” on the 2017 American Honda Rose Parade float. The structures on the float mimic origami creations. Flowers and butterflies were animated and the origami rose on top opened to release doves.
Representing rebirth and renewal, a phoenix rises among some of the 20 high schoolers from Fukushima prefecture of Japan, which was heavily damaged by the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami of 2011.
Closing Show presented by Wells Fargo
The Wells Fargo stagecoach leads members of the American Red Cross, which assists veterans and their families. Wells Fargo has hired more than 6,300 veterans over the past four years.
Marchers carried standards of the Marines, Coast Guard, Air Force, and Navy in the 2017 Rose Parade.
The Wells Fargo wagon carries a cloud of roses, gerbera, and mums in a patriotic display.
World Champion Santa Clara Vanguard Drum and Bugle Corps brought its award-winning sound and precision to the closing show in the 2017 Rose Parade.
World Champion Santa Clara Vanguard Drum and Bugle Corps brought its award-winning sound and precision to the closing show in the 2017 Rose Parade.
World Champion Santa Clara Vanguard Drum and Bugle Corps brought its award-winning sound and precision to the closing show in the 2017 Rose Parade.
World Champion Santa Clara Vanguard Drum and Bugle Corps brought its award-winning sound and precision to the closing show in the 2017 Rose Parade.
Final words of the 128th Rose Parade from the Tournament of Roses and Santa Clara Vanguard Drum and Bugle Corps.
Kern County Sheriff’s Mounted Posse from Bakersfield, Calif. helps to put some distance between the crowds and the entries at the end of the Rose Parade.
Kern County Sheriff’s Mounted Posse conducts fundraisers throughout the year to help physically and mentally challenged children.
Kern County Sheriff’s Mounted Posse from Bakersfield, Calif. is led by Sheriff Donny Youngblood.
Vintage patrol car from the California Highway Patrol. It’s nicer to see it in the Rose Parade than behind you on the freeway!
The big “Second Parade” demonstration in 2017 was a protest against the Dakota pipeline. The protestors are peaceful and most of the folks in the photo are parade-viewers headed for their cars.
The big “Second Parade” demonstration in 2017 was a protest against the Dakota pipeline. The protestors are peaceful and most of the folks in the photo are parade-viewers headed for their cars.
The big “Second Parade” demonstration in 2017 was a protest against the Dakota pipeline. The protestors are peaceful and most of the folks in the photo are parade-viewers headed for their cars.
The big “Second Parade” demonstration in 2017 was a protest against the Dakota pipeline. The protestors are peaceful and most of the folks in the photo are parade-viewers headed for their cars.
The big “Second Parade” demonstration in 2017 was a protest against the Dakota pipeline. The protestors are peaceful and most of the folks in the photo are parade-viewers headed for their cars.
The big “Second Parade” demonstration in 2017 was a protest against the Dakota pipeline. The protestors are peaceful and most of the folks in the photo are parade-viewers headed for their cars.
The big “Second Parade” demonstration in 2017 was a protest against the Dakota pipeline. The protestors are peaceful and most of the folks in the photo are parade-viewers headed for their cars.
Far from being anti-climactic, the end of the Rose Parade offers more entertainment for the crowd. Wells Fargo has honored veterans for several years now, and there is always the “Second Parade.”
All photos copyright 2016 Ramona Monteros
WELLS FARGO CLOSING SHOW
As American as…the Wells Fargo wagon and a choir in red, white, and blue singing patriotic songs!
WELLS FARGO CLOSING SHOW
Honored passengers ride with the Wells Fargo mule skinners. More photos of Wells Fargo stagecoaches on the Equestrian gallery page.
WELLS FARGO CLOSING SHOW
The New Directions Veterans Choir is an award-winning group composed of US miltary veteran whose severe struggles following their service left them homeless. New Directions provides assistance to such men and women.
WELLS FARGO CLOSING SHOW
The rolling choir loft was built by Fiesta Parade Floats with a patriotic flair and plenty of streamers shooting up into the air. “Hoedown” by Aaron Copland played and the choir sang a medley of “God Bless America” and “This Is My Country.”
WELLS FARGO CLOSING SHOW
The women and men of New Directions Veterans Choir are proud to have served their country. The Wells Fargo Foundation has supported New Directions in Los Angeles for the past five years, and during that time has donated nearly $300,000 to their programs for homeless veterans.
Long Beach Mounted Police put some space between the last Rose Parade entry and the “Second Parade.” More photos on the Equestrian gallery page.
THE SECOND PARADE
The folks “feelin’ the Bern” in the 2016 Rose Parade seemed to be having a good time getting the message across.
THE SECOND PARADE
The Bernie Sanders folks rivaled previous post-Rose Parade groups such as Occupy with stunning effigies of their hero.
THE SECOND PARADE
Happy New Year from Bernie Sanders supporters.
THE SECOND PARADE
The groups following the Rose Parade in 2016 were not as varied as most years, but these ardent Bernie Sanders supporters made up for it.
THE SECOND PARADE
The Bernie Sanders folks rivaled previous post-Rose Parade groups such as Occupy with stunning effigies of their hero. Not a bad float, that.
And finally…a skywriter spelling out “Trump is disgusting” to mixed reactions. Turns out he was a Republican, not a Democrat!
Spirit of the West Riders blends history and entertainment with authentic costumes and tack. The riders reflect the various ethnic backgrounds of the American West in the 1940s-1920s. The group was riding on behalf of the John Wayne Cancer Foundation.
Spirit of the West Riders Marshal Phil Spangenberger (with beard) has been bringing his group to the Rose Parade for 23 years. At the far right is a typical Californio from the Mexican period in Calfornia.
Spirit of the West Riders presented cowgirls and a cowboy in show costumes from the 1880s-1920s, cowboys from various eras, a lawman and a fur trapper.
Spirit of the West Riders. A woman with a split riding skirt that did away with the sidesaddle and a US Cavalry trooper bring up the rear.
Wells Fargo Stagecoaches. The Wells Fargo riders and stagecoaches are always crowd pleasers. The costumes, including the cool trailduster coats, are from the 1800s. Marshal and coach driver George Lane owns the horses.
Wells Fargo Stagecoaches. The horses pulling the coaches are Quarter Horses and American Mustangs named Babe, Beauty, Chico, Dan, Darla, Misty, Moon, and Star. Drivers are known as “mule skinners.”
Wells Fargo Stagecoaches. Riding the stagecoaches are participants of Warriors to Summits, a program of No Barriers USA, a nonprofit whose mission is to provide transformative expeditions for veterans with disabilities.
Wells Fargo Stagecoaches. Riding the stagecoaches are participants of Warriors to Summits, a program of No Barriers USA, a nonprofit whose mission is to provide transformative expeditions for veterans with disabilities.
Calizona Appaloosa Horse Club
horses and riders are dressed in historically accurate parade costumes of the northern plateau and plains region of more than 100 years ago. Marshal: Leslie Foxvog
Calizona Appaloosa Horse Club. The breed, developed by the Nez Perce, reputedly got its name from the Palouse River—“a Palouse horse.”
Calizona Appaloosa Horse Club. The rider appears to be dressed and painted for battle.
Calizona Appaloosa Horse Club. Appaloosas are the only breed that has vertical stripes on the hooves. Appaloosa coats are as varied as the riders’ costumes.
Calizona Appaloosa Horse Club. The costumes mix leather from game with European cloth and glass beads.
Calizona Appaloosa Horse Club “finds its adventure in following in the footsteps of the forefathers and creating new adventures today.