![A marching band at the Rose Parade](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/f91a0eb/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3649x2432+0+0/resize/2000x1333!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F99%2Fe9%2F279194e1482dadc69e687fcb5546%2F20230102rc-roseparade016-crop-sr.jpg)
The Rosemount (Minn.) High School Marching Band performs along Colorado Boulevard during the 134th Rose Parade on Monday.
(Ringo Chiu / For The Times)
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As most of us rose into the new year filled with all that life so seamlessly blends — hope and caution, joy and sadness, love and longing — Pasadena played host to the 134th Rose Parade after a strong rainfall washed over its streets to cap 2022.
The parade’s theme this year — an expression of hope and resilience — was “Turning the Corner.” The 2023 Rose Parade grand marshal was Gabrielle Giffords, the former Arizona congresswoman who survived a mass shooting. Giffords led a procession of 39 floats, 21 marching bands and 16 equestrian units.
Temecula Dance Company and Rose Parade Youth Dancers rally the early-morning crowds.
(Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Times)
![A woman holds a rose against a pink sunrise.](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/cffdc8a/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3486x2324+0+0/resize/2000x1333!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F29%2Fa4%2Fc2dd174e4e15807b51a2cfc88082%2F20230102rc-roseparade008-crop-sr.jpg)
Gretchen Otness holds a rose as she arrives at the 134th Rose Parade early Monday morning.
(Ringo Chiu / For The Times)
![Tanya Tucker performs during the Rose Parade.](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/13b9c65/2147483647/strip/true/crop/7972x5317+0+0/resize/2000x1334!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fcd%2Fcb%2Fc54380bc45c2b3d5e2073aeb7caa%2F1232161-me-2023-rose-parade-268.jpg)
Singer and songwriter Tanya Tucker performs during the Rose Parade.
(Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Times)
![Clouds are red from sunrise as the Rose Parade begins](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/d2ec9aa/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4200x2800+0+0/resize/2000x1333!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F51%2F31%2Fc001427744c2812ea86872ec5ec7%2F1234821-me-2023-rose-parade-2-ajs.jpg)
Parade-goers get a predawn view of the Rose Parade as it makes its way down Orange Grove Boulevard in Pasadena.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
![A dancer with N8tive Hoop performs during the 2023 Rose Parade.](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/f2e841a/2147483647/strip/true/crop/7365x4910+0+0/resize/2000x1333!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F23%2F77%2F499bcf2b41ba882e8c9fcf2e2268%2F1232161-me-2023-rose-parade-537.jpg)
A dancer with N8tive Hoop, a family of Native American hoop dancers, performs during the 2023 Rose Parade.
(Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Times)
![A view of the float that won the Sweepstakes award for most beautiful entry.](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/3104869/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4200x2800+0+0/resize/2000x1333!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F03%2Fd4%2Fa9afccbd487e813ec80d33d80499%2F1234821-me-2023-rose-parade-32-ajs.jpg)
Donate Life’s “Lifting Each Other Up” float won the Sweepstakes award for most beautiful entry — encompassing float design, floral presentation and entertainment — during the 2023 Rose Parade in Pasadena.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
![Costumed riders on horseback at the Rose Parade](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/05ec03e/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4200x3128+0+0/resize/2000x1490!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F0e%2F7d%2F85078b2e471b9b446d3422c71390%2F1234821-me-2023-rose-parade-65-ajs.jpg)
The Scripps Miramar Ranch equestrian unit from San Diego joins the 2023 Rose Parade.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
![Louisiana Tourism's float.](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/3d0c19e/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4200x2800+0+0/resize/2000x1333!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F0d%2Fb9%2F879b323b4944a9fd2460308781b9%2F1234821-me-2023-rose-parade-12-ajs.jpg)
Louisiana Tourism’s float, which received the Rose Parade’s Showmanship Award, features performer Lainey Wilson during the 2023 Rose Parade.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
![A close-up of horse hooves walking over confetti.](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/60f57b3/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6684x4458+0+0/resize/2000x1334!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Faf%2F1f%2F986973554542bdc65aab369c44b9%2F1232161-me-2023-rose-parade-103.jpg)
Horses walk across confetti during the Rose Parade.
(Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Times)
![Dancers in butterfly costumes at the Rose Parade.](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/2ff1854/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3573x2382+0+0/resize/2000x1333!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F27%2Fb9%2F23536a9748a19506e407980b4783%2F20230102rc-roseparade051-crop.jpg)
Buhos Marching Band dancers from Xalapa, Mexico, perform during the Rose Parade.
(Ringo Chiu / For The Times)
![Bears and other animals on Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom float at the Rose Parade.](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/d1b4201/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4200x2800+0+0/resize/2000x1333!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F74%2F0c%2F599cc34c44808b3bd2dd14c33e06%2F1234821-me-2023-rose-parade-30-ajs.jpg)
Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom’s “Protecting the Wild” float won the Isabella Coleman award for most outstanding presentation of color and harmony through floral design.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
![Danny Trejo walks the parade route at the Rose Parade.](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/2bf478d/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6247x4167+0+0/resize/2000x1334!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F20%2F40%2F251b4f4c402aad6193cef6f9218e%2F1232161-me-2023-rose-parade-577.jpg)
Danny Trejo walks along the Rose Parade route in Pasadena.
(Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Times)
![A Rose Parade float features bees and the text "Bee Inspired!"](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/3263b7a/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4200x2800+0+0/resize/2000x1333!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Ffa%2F10%2Fd9242d944fb6b81dc21cda4959c2%2F1234821-me-2023-rose-parade-25-ajs.jpg)
A driver’s face is just visible within the Downey Rose Float Assn.’s “Bee Inspired!” float, which won the 2023 Rose Parade Leishman Public Spirit award.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
Members of the All Gifu Honor Green Band from Japan perform along Colorado Boulevard.
(Ringo Chiu / For The Times)
The San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance float “Celebrating 50 Years of Conservation” is driven along Colorado Boulevard during the Rose Parade.
(Ringo Chiu / For The Times)
![A marching band at the Rose Parade.](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/bde4edc/2147483647/strip/true/crop/7612x5077+0+0/resize/2000x1334!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fd4%2F2c%2F61b3dda84dc2b9fcd37616557c40%2F1232161-me-2023-rose-parade-128.jpg)
The Penn State Blue Band performs during the Rose Parade.
(Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Times)
The Donate Life float “Lifting Each Other Up” makes its way along Colorado Boulevard during the 2023 Rose Parade in Pasadena.
(Ringo Chiu / For The Times)
![The 2023 Rose Queen and three members of her court wave from a float.](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/a1378e8/2147483647/strip/true/crop/5211x5847+0+0/resize/2000x2244!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F08%2F5a%2Fea7824614db5bc169bc9e65b3961%2F1237024-la-es-rose-parade-2023-rr-20230102-20.jpg)
2023 Rose Queen Bella Ballard waves to the crowd along with members of her court: Michelle Cortez-Peralta, left, Sahanna Rajinikanthan and Salia Baligh.
(Raul Roa / Los Angeles Times)
![Elks USA's "Investing in Our Communities" float during the 2023 Rose Parade](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/26dae4b/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4200x2617+0+0/resize/2000x1246!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F35%2F21%2F8266f7074a65897ecc5b1a079d8c%2F1234821-me-2023-rose-parade-13-ajs.jpg)
Thousands of parade-goers watch Elks USA’s “Investing In Our Communities” float during the 2023 Rose Parade in Pasadena on Monday.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
![Cheerleaders at the Rose Parade.](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/72b70b8/2147483647/strip/true/crop/7279x4853+0+0/resize/2000x1333!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fb5%2F17%2F80ce354d4a4a99448b3fc4fb80e9%2F1232161-me-2023-rose-parade-567.jpg)
The Utah State Float and cheerleaders entertain the crowd during the Rose Parade.
(Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Times)
![Marines in a marching band cast shadows on the Rose Parade route.](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/8a139a7/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4200x2800+0+0/resize/2000x1333!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F29%2Ff8%2Fc011093e4cc1aa12d7efb13b228c%2F1234821-me-2023-rose-parade-60-ajs.jpg)
The United States Marine Corps West Coast Composite Band from Camp Pendleton marches down Orange Grove Boulevard in the 2023 Rose Parade.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
![Dancers in gowns patterned after monarch butterflies](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/71be422/2147483647/strip/true/crop/7277x4854+0+0/resize/2000x1334!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F01%2F5e%2F3fa1f93846bf9208e79b7752c5c7%2F1232161-me-2023-rose-parade-717.jpg)
Performers with Mexico’s Buhos Marching Band during the Rose Parade.
(Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Times)
![Confetti falls on the crowd at the Rose Parade.](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/7ca3428/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4200x2800+0+0/resize/2000x1333!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fcc%2F14%2F9d8926c249e8b1e084c27f5a7312%2F1234821-me-2023-rose-parade-41-ajs.jpg)
Thousands of parade-goers watch confetti fall while Tanya Tucker performs with the Mansion Entertainment Group float during the 2023 Rose Parade.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
A member of Los Hermanos Banuelos Charro Team performs along Colorado Boulevard during the Rose Parade on Monday.
(Ringo Chiu / For The Times)
![A marching band at the Rose Parade](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/d2f997f/2147483647/strip/true/crop/7883x5256+0+0/resize/2000x1334!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F7c%2F97%2F80a017274b2b94d09528bc38a091%2F1232161-me-2023-rose-parade-152-crop-sr-pg.jpg)
The Norfolk State University Marching Band plays during the Rose Parade.
(Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Times)
![Confetti at the Rose Parade.](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/42591da/2147483647/strip/true/crop/8192x5464+0+0/resize/2000x1334!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F33%2Fae%2F2c93d5f144758db359acdcfdd9e2%2F1232161-me-2023-rose-parade-275.jpg)
Confetti falls while Tanya Tucker performs during the Rose Parade.
(Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Times)