The 2025 Rose Parade kicked off the New Year with vibrant floats representing cultural heritages and community pride. Notably, Visit Mississippi unveiled its float, celebrating the rich musical legacy of two legendary artists—Elvis Presley and B.B. King—who hail from the state, coinciding with significant anniversaries of their births. The parade, held on January 1, 2025, attracted over 850,000 attendees, with millions more viewing from home, emphasizing the localized yet far-reaching impact of this cherished American tradition.
Governor Tate Reeves of Mississippi remarked on the float's role, stating, "This float not only celebrates the musical legacy of Elvis Presley and B.B. King but also honors Mississippi’s role in shaping America’s history and sound." The float painted Mississippi not just as the Birthplace of America's Music but as the heart of its musical evolution, highlighted by visually stunning depictions of iconic landscapes represented within the Mississippi Blues and Country Music Trails.
The float's design was intricately detailed, adorned with musical notes, instruments, and the state flower, the Magnolia, providing viewers with a visual feast. Three musical performers represented Mississippi's diverse music scene during the parade. Elvis tribute artist Brandon Bennett, the award-winning country trio Chapel Hart, and the renowned Jackson State University marching band, the Sonic Boom of the South, delivered engaging performances throughout the parade.
For the first time, Visit Mississippi participated as the official destination marketing organization for the event. Rochelle Hicks, Director of Visit Mississippi, expressed the importance of being at the parade. "The Tournament of Roses is one of America’s most cherished traditions, capturing the hearts of millions each New Year. This event provides a unique opportunity to reach a global audience and spark interest in visiting the birthplace of America’s music," she said.
Across town, Burbank's float entry went back millions of years to the Mesozoic Era. The Burbank Tournament of Roses Association's float, titled "Having A-Lava Fun!" captured the imagination with animated dinosaurs and even real fire and rumbling volcano effects. Steve Edward, vice president of float construction for BTORA, had been working on floats for nearly four decades. "We’re running behind from where we usually are at this point," Edward noted moments before judges arrived, referencing their tight schedule.
The unique float design incorporated special effects, including sound and motion, to engage the audience. Edward described the experience: "For those on the parade route, this float will go beyond sight and sound... we have incorporated the feel of a real erupting volcano." The creators had built powerful concert-level subwoofers inside the volcano's base, ensuring attendees could feel the tremors of the erupting goliath.
Linda Cozakos, president of BTORA, shared the stresses of final preparations saying, "This has been a complicated and somewhat challenging float to design and build." Her observations were echoed when city dignitaries added ceremonial roses to the float for good luck just before the judges evaluated the elaborate spectacle.
The culmination of the hard work paid off for Burbank, as Tournament of Roses President Ed Morales announced the judges' decisions shortly after the parade. Burbank won the Animation Award, showcasing the creativity and effort poured by its community volunteers. "We continue to do the music and animation right down until we have passed the last person," Edward stated, capturing the spirit of community-focused entertainment the Rose Parade embodies.
Overall, the day represented more than simply floating decorations; it showcased resilience, creativity, and communal effort, with various teams working tirelessly to deliver unique and compelling representations of their respective cultures. This year's Rose Parade spoke volumes, marking the remarkable ways communities honor their histories and stories for both those present at the event and for watching from the comfort of their homes.