Rose Parade rings in new year with 135th event

The Rose Parade continues this year with its 135th event.

Singer-actress Audra McDonald will be the 2024 grand marshal for the parade. This is an honorary position picked every year by the president of the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association, Alex Aghajanian, and traditionally is involved in the coin toss of the Rose Bowl game later that day.

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Grand marshals are picked for their relationship to the parade's theme, which this year is "Celebrating a World of Music." McDonald is a two-time Grammy winner for her opera recording and album.

Further falling in line with the theme include singers Cassadee Pope, Michelle Williams of Destiny's Child, American Idol star David Archuleta, Alexander Star, Straight No Chaser, and Jordin Sparks as its closer.

"The 2024 theme brings us together through music. In a world of different cultures, beliefs, hopes, and dreams, one language unites us all — music. The sound, texture, rhythm, form, harmony, and expression meld together to move, soothe, excite, and delight the world," Aghajanian said of the theme. "From bossa nova to blues, classical to country, metal to mariachi, and rock to rap, thousands of genres invite us to become one in celebrating a world of music. Whether near or far, young or old, we invite you to yearlong festivities that culminate on New Year’s Day at the Rose Parade."

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As the parade has a 5 1/2 mile route, road closures include Colorado Boulevard, from Orange Grove Boulevard to Sierra Madre Boulevard, and northbound on Sierra Madre to Paloma St. Roads begin to close at 10 p.m. Sunday and will remain closed until 2 p.m. Monday, just before the Rose Bowl, the game's 110th edition.

Whichever team between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Michigan Wolverines wins the Rose Bowl will continue to the national championship game, which will be held in Houston on Jan. 8.