Los Angeles Chinese Information Network reported on January 1 that the 135th Pasadena Rose Parade in 2024 was held in the early morning of New Year's Day, and the show car teams from all over the world took to the Colorado Blvd in the center of the city to shine. This includes 24 floats, 23 guard of honour and 18 equestrian teams, and four VIP cars. The parade is 5.5 miles long and is crowded with people.
The theme of this year's float is "Celebrating a World of Music: The Universal Language." From classical to pop, blues to rap, music brings people together in a world of different cultures, beliefs, hopes, and dreams.
2024 is the Year of the Dragon, and it is also a year of special significance for us Chinese and the descendants of the Dragon. Shannon Tan, a Chinese schoolgirl from the city of Alhambra, was featured in the city's annual art competition and provided inspiration for the design of this year's float. Nicknamed "Dragon Music", the float features a dragon with the earth perched on its paws, protecting its cubs to sleep. Adorned with 20,000 flowers, the dragon is surrounded by musical notes and instruments, and the inspiration and meaning behind it emphasise creativity and diversity, and the float won the parade's most imaginative award. In addition to celebrating the arrival of the Year of the Dragon 2024, this event also marks the 95th anniversary of the Alhambra's participation in the Rosette Procession.
Pictured: San Diego Safari Park wins. (Source: Photo by reporter Jayson)
The winner of this year's float was the San Diego Zoo. The theme of the float is "It Began With a Roar". Orangutan Karen, Koala Omio, Polar Bear Chinook, Galapagos Tortoise Granma, and the zoo's iconic Lion Rex roam the jungle. More than 5 million visitors visit the zoo every year to experience nature. With float design, floral displays, and extreme entertainment, San Diego Safari Park won the title of the most beautiful entry.
Pictured: The Queen of the Roses and the Princess of the Roses riding a royal float. (Source: Photo by reporter Jayson)
This year's Queen of the Roses, Naomi Stillitano, and six other Princess Roses wore jeweled crowns and rode on royal court floats in the parade. One of the seven girls is Phoebe Ho, a 12th grader at South Pasadena High School, the captain of the varsity dance team and a board member of the AAPI Student Council. In the new year, she wants to spend the rest of her high school life and go to college to study biomedical engineering Xi.
Pictured: B-2 Spirit Phantom stealth bomber. (Source: Photo by reporter Jayson)
The U.S. Air Force's B-2 Spirit Phantom stealth bomber was unable to meet last year due to security issues, but this year, the fleet took off from Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri and returned to Rose Carriage Avenue to entertain the parade crowd and global spectators. People at the scene said that the stealth bomber flew overhead and produced a huge roar, which was very shocking.
Pictured: The parade's featured floats. (Source: Photo by reporter Jayson)
This year's Rose Float winners:
冠军（Sweepstakes Trophy）：圣地亚哥野生动物园（San Diego Zoo）
最佳主题奖(Theme)：西部资产（Western Asset Management）
最具娱乐性奖（Bob Hope Humor）：The UPS Store
最佳艺术设计奖（Director）：Pasadena Humane Society/ Hill’s Pet Nutrition
最佳创新奖（Crown City Innovator）：加州理工州立大学（Cal Poly Universities）
大礼官奖（Grand Marshal）：American Armenian Rose Float Association
最具想象力奖（Fantasy）：阿罕布拉市（City of Alhambra）
最佳动画奖（Animation）: Trader Joe’s
最具美国传统奖（Americana）: The Cowgirl Channel
金州奖（Golden State）：La Canada Flintridge玫瑰协会锦标赛
Best Participating City Award (Mayor): Burbank Rose Society Championship
总统奖(President):Kaiser Permanente
最美色彩奖（Isabella Coleman）：CORE Kidney Foundation
皇后奖（Queen）：Sierra Madre Rose Float Association
公益精神奖（Leishman Public Spirit）：Rotary Rose Parade Float Committee
公主奖（Princess）：托兰斯市（City of Torrance）
前总统奖(Past President):Visit Lauderdale
Founder: South Pasadena Rose Society Championship
最佳国际奖（International）：Coding for Veterans
最佳志愿者奖（Tournament Volunteer）：Kiwanis International
最非凡花车奖（Extraordinaire）：Visit Newport Beach
最佳花朵奖（Wrigley Legacy）：Downey Rose Float Association
最具戏剧奖（Judges）：OneLegacy Donate Life
最佳表演奖（Showmanship）: Louisiana Office of Tourism