Despite rain, 137th Rose Parade makes its way down Colorado Boulevard in Pasadena

PASADENA, Calif. (CNS) — The 137th Tournament of Roses Parade marched along a rain-slickened Colorado Boulevard in Pasadena, even as rain fell throughout the procession of 39 floral floats, 17 equestrian teams and 19 marching bands along the 5 1/2-mile route.

It was the first time in 20 years that rain dampened the parade route and reduced the number of people camping out overnight to get a good vantage point.

But the inclement weather did not appear to dampen the spirit of spectators or participants.

“We’re just so excited to be here and rain would never deter us at all,” one spectator told Eyewitness News.

Thousands of people bundled up along the parade route, equipped with ponchos and umbrellas. Performers and floats passed by, virtually unbothered by the wet weather.

“It’s cold, but it’s fun,” another persons said. “The thrill of just seeing the parade.”

Rain had not fallen on the parade since 2006, and it has only dampened the parade about a dozen times in the procession’s previous 136 years.

The theme of Thursday’s parade was “The Magic in Teamwork,” which Tournament of Roses officials said celebrates “the sense of accomplishment in knowing that by working together, we can collectively achieve outcomes so much richer than we can ever experience as individuals.”

Fitting perfectly with the theme, the grand marshal of the parade was Laker legend Earvin “Magic” Johnson.

“I don’t think we’ve ever had a grand marshal in the Tournament of Roses history whose nickname has literally been in our tournament theme,” Tournament of Roses President Mark Leavens said while introducing Johnson as the grand marshal in October.

Johnson said being the grand marshal was an “incredible prestigious honor.”

“I’m still in disbelief because as a kid growing up in Lansing, Michigan, on New Year’s Day this was the thrill of a lifetime just to wake up to see who was the grand marshal and watch the parade,” Johnson said. “And I never thought in my wildest dreams that I would one day become the grand marshal. So I’m just blessed. I know what it means. I know that you had many great choices of other people, so I don’t take this lightly.”

“I love this city and this is just another thing that the city has given back to me,” he said.

The parade began at 8 a.m. at the corner of Green Street and Orange Grove Boulevard, moving north on Orange Grove then east on Colorado Boulevard, then turning north on Sierra Madre Boulevard and ending at Sierra Madre and Villa Street.

This year’s Sweepstakes Trophy for most beautiful entry went to Cal Poly Universities. Titled “Jungle Jumpstart,” it was designed, constructed and decorated by students at Cal Poly Pomona and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and depicts a group of rainforest animals working together to restore an old robot.

This marks the 77th year the two universities have worked together to produce a Rose Parade entry.

City News Service contributed to this report.