Due the COVID pandemic, there will be no 2021 Rose Parade.
On Wednesday the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association announced the cancellation of the 2021 Rose Parade making it the first time the beloved tradition has been canceled since World War II. Set to take place on January 1, 2021, officials have reluctantly made the decision ahead of schedule as a result of the pandemic and in accordance with Governor Gavin Newsom’s Phase 4 plan. Meanwhile, planning for the Rose Bowl game continues, but it’s likely that fans will not be allowed into the stadium—if it even takes place at all.
When the lockdown first went into place, there were still hopes that it would go ahead given that it was still the beginning of the year. However, after partnering with health officials at the USC Keck School of Medicine to conduct a feasibility report, according to tournament officials. Now, as the virus continues to devastate cities across the state and the report concluded that the event could be a potential super-spreader, all possibilities have been eliminated.
Planning for the week-long procession of floats usually begins as early as February but the safer-at-home orders have brought them to a halt, which added to the complications. “In addition to the advance planning required by our band and equestrian units, the construction of our many floats takes months and typically requires thousands of volunteers to gather in ways that aren’t in compliance with safety recommendations and won’t be safe in the coming months,” said David Eads, executive director and CEO of the Tournament of Roses Association.
With tremendous disappointment, we are unable to host the 2021 #RoseParade. We will miss the joy of coming together for the Rose Parade, but will not miss this opportunity to celebrate a New Year & healthy new beginnings on January 1. READ MORE: https://t.co/ZRxXhxNWKF pic.twitter.com/YbobU3PmmZ
— Rose Parade (@RoseParade) July 15, 2020
Furthermore, the volunteers largely consist of seniors—high-risk demographic.
“We’re really disappointed that we’re not going to be able to do that again this year, but the health and well-being of all our participants and guests is our top priority,” said Tournament of Roses Chief Executive David Eads.
Instead, the organization is looking for alternative ways to bring joy to the community which may include socially distanced celebrations broadcast globally. No plans have been mentioned thus far, but announcements are expected to come in coming weeks.
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