Rose Parade: Crowds Face Heavy Security and Cool Temps

PASADENA, CA -- With its theme of "Echoes of Success" to honor a trio of Olympians, the 128th annual Rose Parade will kick off at 8 a.m. Monday and wind its way along Colorado Boulevard in Pasadena amid heightened security along the procession's 5 1/2-mile route.

Pasadena police will be joined by federal agencies including the Secret Service, Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement, as well as the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.

Despite the large police presence, "It is equally important for the public to know that you serve a vital role in the success of this plan, whether you are attending these events or not," said Rob Savage, the special agent in charge of the Secret Service's Los Angeles field office.

Bomb-sniffing dogs, a "no drone zone" and barricades blocking vehicle traffic from entering the parade route at its 56 intersections are all part of the security plan. Pasadena police urged anyone witnessing suspicious activity to call 911 or (626) 744-4241.

Parade watchers as well as football fans headed to the Rose Bowl Game were reminded that in addition to drones, umbrellas and selfie sticks are not allowed inside the stadium or within the secured grandstand area of the parade at TV corner, located at the intersection of Orange Grove and Colorado boulevards, according to authorities. Monday's forecast calls for the possibility of light rain in the morning.

Those attending the game will have to pass through metal detectors and can only bring items into the stadium in clear plastic bags, authorities said.

Officials also have undertaken efforts to thwart any attack on the parade using a truck as a ramming tool, as has happened in France and Germany during the past year.

Water barricades will be used to prevent any vehicle from being able to travel at high speeds leading up to the parade route. Police have learned through the French and German truck attacks that when terrorists "use vehicles as a ramming tool, typically it is because they are able to generate a lot of speed. So we are trying to take the speed out of that equation," Pasadena police Chief Phillip L. Sanchez said.

The parade itself, however, will feature the usual array of 40 floral- laden floats. The parade will also feature 19 marching bands and 20 equestrian units.

A trio of Olympic gold medalists -- Allyson Felix, Greg Louganis and Janet Evans -- will serve as grand marshals of the parade.

"We each have those individuals that have made an impact on our lives," Tournament of Roses President Brad Ratliff said when the grand marshals were chosen. "This year's theme, Echoes of Success, is a salute to those individuals.

"The impact that our three grand marshals have had on so many, both through their achievements and voices, truly is representative of our theme. The values exhibited by our Olympians and the richness in their backgrounds has given so many others the support, encouragement and drive to succeed, and we want to celebrate all that they have given."

Temple City High School senior Victoria Cecilia Castellanos, 17, is this year's Rose Queen, and she will ride a special float with the six princesses on the Royal Court: Maya Khan, 18, Arcadia High School; Natalie Petrosian, 17, La Canada High School; Audrey Cameron, 17, Blair High School; Autumn Lundy, 17, Polytechnic School; Lauren Powers, 17, Arcadia High School; and Shannon Larsuel, 17, Mayfield Senior School.

A float sponsored by the AIDS Healthcare Foundation will feature three survivors of the mass shooting inside the Pulse nightclub in Orlando that left 49 people dead and 53 wounded. The float, entitled "To Honor and Remember Orlando," will be a tribute to those who were killed in the June 12 shooting.

The float will feature a giant dove soaring over a field of 49 white stars representing each of the victims of the shooting. The float will also feature a colorful rainbow representing "the diversity of the LGBTQ community" and symbolizing "the humanity of all victims killed or injured." The float will also feature a "Tree of Life" with condolence notes left on a communal board in Orlando. During the parade, 49 white doves will twice be released from the float.

The three survivors of the Orlando attack include Victor Baez Febo, Isaiah Henderson and Jahqui Sevilla, whose boyfriend was killed in the attack.

Also riding on the Orlando float will be Barbara Poma, co-founder and owner of the club, and four people who took part in recovery and community healing efforts -- Patty Sheehan, an openly gay Orlando city commissioner; Joel Morales, an HIV testing counselor and case worker for many survivors and families; and Corey Lyons and Gustavo Marrero, the president and vice president of Impulse Group Orlando.

The group is a chapter of AHF's network of Impulse Groups and worked to assist those affected by the shooting, according to AHF.

The parade will feature a float sponsored by the National Hockey League and the traditional Donate Life float dedicated to organ donors and recipients.

Marching bands from across the country will take part in the parade, along with the Gifusho Green Band from Gifu, Japan. The Los Angeles Unified School District's All District High School Honor Band will also make its annual appearance in the procession.

Once the parade concludes, the floats will be on display until Tuesday during the Showcase of Floats at Sierra Madre and Washington boulevards.

City News Service; Photo: Public Domain