By Terry Miller
Pasadena’s 34th annual Black History Parade and Festival held last Saturday, Feb. 20, was perhaps one of the best attended in the festival’s history. The festivities included one of the biggest and longest-running Black History parades in California. This year’s theme was “Footprints in the Past – Stepping Stones to Our Future.”
The parade started at Charles White Park, Fair Oaks Avenue and Ventura Street in Altadena; then headed south on Fair Oaks Avenue before ending at Pasadena’s Robinson Park, albeit two hours later.
More than 80 entries were featured in the parade, with participants traveling from as far as Bakersfield and San Diego. Featured acts included the Wilson Middle School Marching Band, New Buffalo Soldiers, local dance and drill teams, car and motorcycle clubs, musicians, community dignitaries, and city officials. Perhaps one the more popular bands this year was Pasadena Drum Squad with their high energy and immaculate timing drumming patterns.
The Celebrity Grand Marshals for the parade were members of the local rhythm and blues group “Troop.” Community Grand Marshals were centenarians Charles Johnson and Corrie Harris, who are among the oldest known African-Americans residing in the Pasadena area.
