The 100th birthday of the National Park Service is quickly approaching, and we’re celebrating in a big way. On Jan. 1, 2016 — the first day of the National Park Service Centennial year — the Tournament of Roses will celebrate national parks during the 127th annual Rose Parade!
Find Your Adventure
In honor of the National Park Service's ongoing Find Your Park movement, the theme of this year's Rose Parade is "Find Your Adventure." The parade will feature beautifully designed floral floats inspired by the landscapes, history, and cultural sites found within many of our national parks.
Tournament of Roses President Mike Matthiessen recently said, "As proponents of the American spirit, the Tournament of Roses encourages people to find beauty in the landscape that builds the backdrop of their lives. By teaming up with the National Park Service, we hope to illuminate how communities across the country can uncover enriching adventures."
A Look Back on the Tradition
The Rose Parade is one of America's oldest, most treasured New Year’s Day events, and has featured one-of-a-kind floats, high-stepping equestrian units, and thrilling marching bands since the early 1890s.
- 1890 – The inaugural Rose Parade is held in Pasadena, California.
- 1932 – The Rose Parade is broadcast for the first time via short-wave radio.
- 1947 – The Rose Parade becomes a televised event.
- 1976 – The American Revolution Bicentennial Administration designates the Rose Parade as the official kickoff event for the nation’s bicentennial celebration.
- 2016 – The Rose Parade ushers in the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service.
Experience the Rose Parade
Hundreds of thousands of people gather for this spectacular event each year and there's always room for you and your family! Tickets for the Rose Parade are available, but only until Dec. 31, 2015 so act fast to take advantage of prime seating. Free curbside viewing will also be available, however, only on a first-come, first-served basis.
Event specific information is as follows:
- Date: January 1, 2016
- Start Time: 8 a.m.
- Location: Colorado Boulevard in Pasadena, California
Celebrate 100 Years
Over the past 100 years, the National Park Service has preserved some of America's most vibrant natural, cultural, and historical sites just for your exploration, so make 2016 the year you find your park. It may be on a distant mountaintop or even in your own backyard. Either way, start your new year with the 127th annual Rose Parade and share your stories on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Tumblr with #FindYourPark and #EncuentraTuParque!
Photo credit:Â Flickr
