Rose Parade 2026 floats on the move to Pasadena for Tournament of Roses as New Years Eve storm slams SoCal
PASADENA, Calif. (KABC) — The Rose Parade is hours away — rain or shine and volunteers have spent countless hours decorating floats, and now those famous floats are making the slow, wet roll to Pasadena.
The move takes hours to complete.
“It’s like being at the parade without having to be at the parade,” said Covina resident Mark Cook. “And we still get to enjoy the rain.”
Cook is one of many visitors and parade fans that came armed with umbrellas and ponchos. People are starting to camp out to get their spot for the big day.
“This is a family tradition. We’ve been doing it for over 10 years. I think these guys have been out here since they were babies, and we do this every year, rain or shine,” said Pomona resident Eric Farr.
The rain won’t dampen their celebration, but it certainly has reduced the number of people claiming their front row seat for the Rose Parade. There’s more covered chairs along Colorado Boulevard than actual campers.
Authorities are out enforcing the rules as no tents or pop-ups are allowed along the route. It’s been two decades since it rained on the world-famous Rose Parade.
But those with campers and RVs, staying nice and dry.
“We have all the perks so it’s the best ever, we have a blast. It’s the best way to ring in the new year,” said Riverside resident Stacie Ontko.
The rain won’t dampen their celebration, but it certainly has reduced the number of people claiming their front row seat for the Rose Parade.
The wet weather forced officials to cover the more delicate details of the floats.
Phoenix Decorating Company created 14 of the fantastic floral floats in this year’s Tournament of Roses.
The floats are set to roll into Pasadena by midnight ready for the world to see on January 1.
With the rain and possible thunderstorms come serious concerns for the thousands expected to turn out.
“When you have a 5 1/2 mile parade route that’s moving, we really are going to rely on our partners at the National Weather Service. We have real-time information on what this storm is doing, where the lightning is, and then we can make the best informed decision to keep the public safe,” said Pasadena Fire Chief Chad Augustin.
You can watch the Rose Parade live Thursday at 8 a.m. on ABC7.
Rain on tap for Rose Parade for first time in 20 years
Marching bands, floats and throngs of spectators are bracing for a rare dose of New Year’s Day rain and even thunder at the prestigious Rose Parade in Pasadena.
The last time it rained during the parade was in 2006.
People were allowed to show up Wednesday to secure spots along the nearly 6-mile route in Pasadena, but predictions of overnight rain could make the wait miserable. The two-hour parade starts at 8 a.m. Thursday and is typically attended by hundreds of thousands of people, in addition to millions more watching on national television.
Organizers are making only small changes, said Candy Carlson, communications director for Pasadena Tournament of Roses, the group that organizes the parade ahead of the Rose Bowl college football game.
The tops will be up on convertibles carrying grand marshal Earvin “Magic” Johnson and other VIPs, she said.
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The Associated Press contributed to this report
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