PASADENA (CNS) - Arguably the world's most renowned procession will make its way along Colorado Boulevard in Pasadena today as Grammy-winning singer Chaka Khan fills the role of grand marshal for the 130th Rose Parade.
The 65-year-old singer known for hits including “I Feel for You,” “Through the Fire and “This is My Night” was chosen to align with the parade's theme, “The Melody of Life.”
Tournament of Roses President Gerald Freeny said the theme has universal appeal, since music touches the lives of people around the world.
“On a personal scale, it gets us through our day, it accompanies us through good times and bad times,” Freeny said. “It is quite literally the soundtrack of our lives. But on a grand scale, it has the ability to heal, to unite, to promote change, to bring joy and harmony and rhythm and happiness. Music has a unique power to transcend borders and boundaries, to travel across countries and continents. It speaks to old and young. It represents, enriches and sustains our human existence. It quite simply touches every single life on Earth.”
The 5 1/2-mile Rose Parade will step off at 8 a.m., beginning with an “Opening Spectacular” performance featuring Khan, “Dancing with the Stars” champion Jordan Fisher and hundreds of dancers, including the HTEDance & Spirit Group from Irving, Texas, and The Boys of Temecula dance company. The parade's closing ceremony will feature pop singer Anne-Marie.
The parade itself will feature 40 floral-covered floats, 18 equestrian groups and 20 marching bands from across the country and around the world, including bands from Japan, Sweden, Costa Rica and Canada.
The marching bands from the University of Washington and Ohio State University -- the teams competing in this afternoon's Rose Bowl Game -- will also take part in the parade.
Sequoyah High School senior and San Marino resident Louise Deser Siskel will reign over the procession as the 101st Rose Queen. She will be accompanied by the six members of her Royal Court:
-- Lauren Michele Baydaline, a senior at Westridge School and resident of South Pasadena;
-- Ashley Symone Hackett, a senior at John Muir High School and a Pasadena resident;
-- Rucha S. Kadam, a senior at La Canada High School and a La Canada Flintridge resident;
-- Sherry Xiaorui Ma, a Temple City resident and a senior at San Marino High School;
-- Micaela Sue McElrath, a senior at Westridge School and a Pasadena resident; and
-- Helen Susan Rossi, a Flintridge Preparatory School senior and La Canada Flintridge resident.
The stars of the parade, however, are the brightly colored, animated floats -- all covered from top to bottom with flowers or other organic materials. As usual, this year's parade features floats sponsored by some Southland cities, including Alhambra, Burbank, Downey, La Canada Flintridge and Torrance, along with groups and businesses such as 24 Hour Fitness, Honda, Carnival Cruise Line, Chipotle, Kaiser Permanente, Northwestern Mutual, Shriners Hospital for Children and Trader Joe's.
Universal Pictures will make its debut as a float sponsor, teaming up with DreamWorks Animation to present a float heralding the upcoming animated film “How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World.” The float will feature a floral-covered, fire-breathing dragon.
Stella Rosa Wines will be making its second-ever Rose Parade appearance with a “Taste the Magic” float, which will be ridden by the Grammy- winning band Kool & the Gang, in a nod to the parade's Melody of Life theme.
Once the parade concludes, the floats will be on display from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. today and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday during the Showcase of Floats at Sierra Madre and Washington boulevards. Last entry is 4 p.m. on both days.
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.
Photo: Getty Images