Celebrate black history, culture, and achievements at Pasadena’s 34th Annual Black History Parade and Festival from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 20. The festive celebration includes one of the biggest and longest-running Black History parades in California. Bring family and friends to enjoy upbeat parade performances and plenty of free post-parade fun and entertainment. This year’s theme is “Footprints in the Past – Stepping Stones to Our Future.”
The parade begins at 10 a.m. at Charles White Park, Fair Oaks Avenue and Ventura Street in Altadena; then heads south on Fair Oaks Avenue before ending at Pasadena’s Robinson Park, 1081 N. Fair Oaks Ave., where the festival takes place from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. on the north side of the park on Hammond Street.
More than 80 entries will be featured in the parade, with participants traveling from as far as Bakersfield and San Diego. Featured acts include the Wilson Middle School marching band, New Buffalo Soldiers, local dance and drill teams, car and motorcycle clubs, musicians, community dignitaries, and city officials.
The Celebrity Grand Marshals for the parade are members of the local rhythm and blues group Troop. Community Grand Marshals are centenarians Charles Johnson and Corrie Harris, who are among the oldest known African-Americans residing in the Pasadena area.
