“Making a Difference.”  That’s the 2018 theme for the Rose Parade as reported by Lance Tibett, President of the Tournament of Roses.  The theme is to celebrate all people in our communities that always step forward when others step back and help enrich the lives of others.  Lance said they have not selected the Grand Marshall yet.

Some Rose Parade/Rose Bowl trivia:

• Rotary has had 46 entries in the Rose Parade with the first Rotary float entered in 1927.
• There was a break in time and now there has been 39 years of continuous entries by Rotary International.
• The Rose Parade is 129 years old.
• The first Rose Bowl was held in 1902 to raise money for the parade but did not hold another Rose Bowl until 1916 due to concerns about “shenanigins” going on in college football.
• For a while, there were chariot races instead of football games.  Anita Baldwin had several successful Chariot runs in the Rose Bowl.
• The Rose Parade costs $17 million to put on each year.
• Tournament of Roses has given $1 billion to Big10/Pac12 schools over the years. Any money received from ESPN for televising the event is divided equally among all the schools.
• Tournament of Roses Foundation gives about $200,000 per year in grants to non-profits

Lance also talked about how they are talking with Disney and the entertainment industry to bid on a national championship game at the Rose Bowl.  So stay tuned!