Held annually since 1890, the Rose Parade is a southern California tradition held in conjunction with the New Year's Rose Bowl game in Pasadena. The parade was originally a celebration of southern California's mild January weather and features a variety of select equestrian entries as well as floral floats and marching bands.
This year's theme is "A Cut above the Rest." Captain of the Miracle on the Hudson, pilot Chesley Sullenberger is being honored as the 2010 Grand Marshall for the Rose Parade.
Many of the equestrian entries were previewed at Equifest on Tuesday, December 29. Equifest gives spectators a chance to see the performances and meet the horses and riders of the Rose Parade at the L.A. Equestrian Center in Burbank. The equestrian groups are selected for the parade several months in advance and several of them travel across the country to participate. Many of the groups have been invited back year after year.
The Rose Parade will be broadcast on ABC, HGTV, RFD-TV, Hallmark Channel, Travel Channel and Univision. The Parade begins at 8:00am Pacific Time on January 1 and lasts approximately 2 ½ hours. Check local TV listings for broadcast times.
Watch the Cowgirls Historical Foundation in the 2006 Rose Parade
Watch the Shire Riders in the 2009 Rose Parade
The current list of 2010 equestrian participants follows.
All American Cowgirl Chicks Amigos de Anza Equestrian Drill Team Arizona Mini Mystique Driving Drill Team Benny Martinez Family Calizona Appaloosa Horse Club Cowgirls Historical Foundation Giddy Up Gals LA County Sheriff - Mounted Enforcement Long Beach Mounted Police Medieval Times New Buffalo Soldiers, The Painted Ladies Rodeo Performers Region 1 Versatile Arabians Scripps Miramar Saddlebreds Shire Riders, The So Cal Peruvian Paso Horse Club U.S. Army Ft. Hood - 1st Calvary USMC - Color Guard USMC - Mountain Warfare Training Valley Hunt Club Victorian Roses Ladies Riding Society Wells Fargo Western Haflinger Association