Rose Parade CEO outlines some changes for New Year’s Day

‘We have a responsibility to encourage vaccinations’

The Rose Parade, held each New Year’s Day, was canceled for 2021, with organizers at the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association saying that pandemic restrictions made it impossible to host the event. It was the fourth such time in the history that the parade, along the famed five-mile stretch of Colorado Boulevard, would not take place.

However, despite the continuing threat of COVID-19 and the Delta variant, the show will go on New Year’s Day 2022, Tournament officials announced in March. 

“For more than 130 years, the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association has welcomed each New Year’s Day with the possibilities and optimism for a better year to come. We plan to continue bringing pride to Pasadena and joy to millions of people around the world on January 1, 2022,” the organization said in a statement released at the time of the announcement.

The Tournament has stressed its collaboration with the city for the event.

“We are working with the city of Pasadena’s Department of Public Health and intend to share more complete and detailed guidelines in the coming weeks,” said Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association Communications Director Candy Carlson.

Pasadena Public Health Department and Los Angeles County have started requiring proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a negative test for outdoor mega events, of which the Rose Parade, presumably, will fall under. The new requirements went into effect Oct. 7, for both Pasadena and LA County.

To enter outdoor mega events, such as the Rose Parade, guests will have to show proof of full COVID-19 vaccination, or a negative COVID-19 test result. However, with such a massive operation as the annual Rose Parade there has been much confusion as to the details, but the city has issued answers to some common questions about protocols for the parade.

“Vaccination is strongly recommended for all individuals, and should be a requirement for performance in the parade since masking will not be required during the performance,” according to protocols released by the city for Tournament of Roses mega events. Additionally, “Vaccination is strongly recommended as a requirement participation in all events, including the Hall of Fame Lunch, Parent Kick-off, Tailgate Reception, Gala/President’s Ball, etc. At a minimum, proof of a negative test within 72 hours should be required of unvaccinated individuals.”

Masks are required for all parade participants, including those in cars, on floats, on horses, on other vehicles, and on foot, except when actively performing in the parade. Masks are required during times of idling within formation and disbanding zones, unless actively eating/drinking and for all staff and volunteers.

There will be additional information forthcoming once the city and Tournament of Roses meet.

We contacted Rose Parade CEO David Eads, for clarification on several questions our readers have been asking us in recent weeks:

“We anticipate that we will have to follow stricter guidelines for the upcoming mass events. We are working with the city of Pasadena’s Department of Public Health and intend to share more complete and detailed guidelines in the coming weeks.

“We already know that as the host of three mega events — the Rose Parade, the Rose Bowl Game and Floatfest — the Tournament believes that vaccinations are the key to returning to mass events, like our iconic New Year’s Day celebrations, and we believe we have a responsibility to encourage vaccinations.

“The Pasadena Police Department manages security along the parade-route. We will continue to work with them as they finalize plans for this year’s Rose Parade and Rose Bowl Game.”

Additionally, indoor areas of bars, lounges, nightclubs, breweries, wineries and distilleries in Pasadena and LA County must require proof of at least one vaccine dose through Nov. 3. Starting Nov. 4, patrons will have to show that they’re fully vaccinated before entering these indoor establishments. Patrons who do not provide proof can be served outdoors.

Health officials said the new requirements are meant to reduce risk for coronavirus transmission in the county and increase vaccination coverage.

“We do need to work together to improve vaccination coverage until we reach a vaccination level so high that the virus, or a new variant of the virus, would have trouble gaining traction,” L.A. County Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer said in a recent statement. “The millions of individuals who remain unvaccinated unfortunately represent opportunities for viral transmission and mutation.”

With the city and Tournament stressing the vaccine’s importance, we can imagine this year’s parade will be different in many ways. However, for more details we may have to wait until November for concrete requirements to participate and watch the annual ritual. Beacon Media will update any mandates as the news warrants.

The Pasadena Police Department, supported by the Tournament of Roses Association and city officials, will be closing the Rose Parade route early to vehicular traffic to enhance public safety measures. Route closures will be effective at 10 p.m. on Dec. 31 through 2 p.m. on Jan. 1 along Colorado Boulevard, from Orange Grove Boulevard to Sierra Madre Boulevard, and northbound on Sierra Madre to Paloma Street.

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