The Tournament of Roses Parade steers clear of being a parade of personalities, but there are five VIP entries every year: Tournament president, Grand Marshal, Pasadena mayor, Rose Bowl Hall of Fame inductees, and of course, the Rose Queen and Royal Court. The gallery below includes the Pasadena City College Tournament of Roses Honor Band and Herald Trumpets, because when it comes to Pasadena celebrities, they are right up there.
Today, center stage are Pres. Lance Tibbet, Rose Queen Isabella Marez and the Rose Princesses introduced by the Herald Trumpets, Mayor Terry Tornek, and the Tournament of Roses Honor Band. The information on each is in the captions with the photos. We’ve already written about Grand Marshal Gary Sinise in “Honoring vets in the 2018 Rose Parade” and will cover the sports aspect of the parade and more about the cars and flowering in upcoming pieces.
A bit about the band: It’s comprised of the PCC Lancer Band, plus 200 of the more than 500 high school music students who auditioned. Jack Taylor is the band director, Tad Carpenter is the percussion director, and Dr. James Arnwine, dean of the Performing Arts at PPC, served as the assistant band director.
All photos are copyrighted by LB Monteros. Contact for permissions.
Tournament of Roses Pres. Lance Tibbet and his family ride in a 1929 Packard Model 633. It was driven in Australia, hence the right-hand steering wheel.
Even security guards smile at the Rose Parade! Pres. Lance Tibbet and his family ride in a 1929 Packard Model 633. It was driven in Australia, hence the right-hand steering wheel.
Pasadena City College Herald Trumpets announce the float bearing 100th Rose Queen Isabella Marez and the 2018 Royal Court.
Being one of the nine Pasadena City College Herald Trumpets is a coveted spot for trumpeters. A snare drummer keeps the tempo.
100th Rose Queen Isabella Marez, with Rose Princesses, clockwise from her left, Alexandra Artura, Savannah Bradley, Lauren Buehner, Georgia Cervenka, Sydney Pickering, Julianne Lauenstein.
100th Rose Queen Isabella Marez, with Rose Princesses, clockwise from her left, Alexandra Artura, Savannah Bradley, Lauren Buehner, Georgia Cervenka, Sydney Pickering, Julianne Lauenstein.
Queen Isabella demonstrates that one can wear a sleeveless gown in 40-degree weather and remain joyful.
Pasadena Mayor Terry Tornek packed his family into a 1924 Model TT truck. Originally a produce truck and then a jitney (5-cent) bus, the vehicle served as transportation during transit strikes.
Pasadena Mayor Terry Tornek packed his family into a 1924 Model TT truck. Originally a produce truck and then a jitney (5-cent) bus, the vehicle served as transportation during transit strikes.
Pasadena City College Tournament of Roses Honor Band includes talented high schoolers who audition for the limited slots to augment the PCC Lancer Band.
PCC Tournament of Roses Honor Band Majorette Hokanson is bedecked with sequined roses.
PCC Tournament of Roses Honor Band Drum Major Hayworth leads the unit in “Everything’s Coming Up Roses.”
PCC Tournament of Roses Honor Band color guard tall flags and banners display the red, white, and gold of the Tournament.
PCC Tournament of Roses Honor Band color guard tall flags and banners display the red, white, and gold of the Tournament.
PCC Honor Band Sousaphones and percussion prepare to take the 109-degree turn from Orange Grove onto Colorado.
Gary Sinise and Pres. Lance Tibbet at the announcement of the 2018 Rose Parade Grand Marshal. Photo by LB Monteros
by Laura Berthold Monteros
The pictures tell the story—Gary Sinise accepts the honor to serve as the Grand Marshal for the 129th Rose Parade and 104th Rose Bowl Game for Jan. 1, 2017 from Pres. Lance Tibbet. Sinise was chosen for his exceptional humanitarian work with veterans and first responders. He embodies the theme “Making a Difference.” For more about the ceremony, read “Gary Sinise, humanitarian and actor, is Grand Marshal for 2018 Rose Parade.”
Preceding the announcement, the crowd was entertained with numbers from the World War II era played by the Fabus Four and sung by the San Andreas Sisters. The group was every bit as tight as swing era bands and had the style down to a T. Here’s their rendition of “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy.” We apologize for the quality of the video!
All photos are copyrighted. Contact administrator for permissions.
The San Andreas Sisters performed swing tunes from the World War II era with verve and precision.
Saxophonist Jonathan Rowden and the Fabus Four at the announcement of the 2018 Rose Parade Grand Marshal.
Tournament of Roses Pres. Lance Tibbet teases with hints about who the 2018 Grand Marshal is.
Actor and humanitarian Gary Sinise steps out t the moment of he was announced as the 129th Rose Parade Grand Marshal.
Actor Gary Sinise and Pres. Lance Tibbet share a hug at the announcement of the Tournament of Roses Grand Marshal.
Gary Sinise addresses the crowd at the reveal of the 2018 Tournament of Roses Grand Marshal.
Reporters crowd around to ask Gary Sinise questions after the announcement of the 2018 Tournament of Roses Grand Marshal.
Gary Sinise, Grand Marshal of the 2018 Rose Parade, shakes hand with Pres. Lance Tibbett. Photo by LB Monteros
by Laura Berthold Monteros
Media and guests were entertained by the San Andreas Sisters swing singers before the announcement, so guesses about World War II vets or actors in WWII movies, since one of the hints beforehand was about the Academy Awards, were rampant. Tournament of Roses President Lance Tibbet took the stage and dropped the typical hints—“selfless service,” “incredible humanitarian,” “embodiment of the theme,” which is “Making a Difference.”
“The Tournament is about many things,” he said, “…but mostly, it’s about people quietly doing good things.” People who put the “kind” in humankind.
2018 Tournament of Roses President Lance Tibbet in the living room of Tournament House.
by Laura Berthold Monteros
“This theme is something near and dear to my heart,” incoming Tournament of Roses President Lance M. Tibbet told The Rose Examiner on Wednesday. We met at Tournament House for a conversation about the vision he has for his 2017-2018 tenure as the leader of the 129th New Year’s celebration. The theme, “Making a Difference,” reflects Tibbet’s optimism and commitment to kindness and selfless service, about doing something without reservation simply because it is the right thing to do.
Selecting a theme is usually a family process, and it expresses something about the president’s world view. “Making a Difference” evolved out of a Tibbet family tradition, watching “It’s a Wonderful Life” together every Christmas season. The movie reveals how the thoughtfulness and kindness of one person can change his community for the better. Tibbet said the title wasn’t going to work for the Rose Parade theme though, because “everyone doesn’t have a wonderful life.” But “Each one of us, without cost, can make a difference. We all have that ability.”
