Top 5 moments from Rose Parade 2024 that had people talking
Roses galore, with a side of hockey icons. Decorated floats, marching bands and an homage to The Blues Brothers. Perhaps the most perfect turn by a marching band in parade history.
As usual, the Rose Parade – now in its 135th year – brought a few novelties along with its usual floral extravagance, and they had people on social media talking.
Related: The Internet didn’t like the 2024 Rose Parade opening act
If you missed the parade, feel like reminiscing, or are looking to confirm or deny, here’s our round-up of the top five moments from the parade:
1. The return of the B-2
The traditional Stealth Bomber flyover at the start of the parade didn’t happen last year. This year, the B-2 Stealth Bomber was back at the Rose Parade.
I caught the B2 flying by the Rose Parade off my balcony #pasadena #roseparade pic.twitter.com/MUnmnoA2gz
— Steven Galindo (@StevenGalindo) January 1, 2024
B2 stealth bomber flyover at the Rose Parade. Always a cool sight.
— SpearIt (@SpearIt) January 1, 2024
2. An incredible turn
Featuring 176 musicians, mostly females, the Toho Marching Band is made up of students from Toho High School and Aichi Toho University, which are located adjacent to each other in Nagoya, Japan. The band, which performed at Bandfest, wowed the crowd, and social platform X, with this choreographed turn during the parade:
The Green band from Japan just wowed the crowd with that turn at the #RoseParade
Video from @lisaannjacobs pic.twitter.com/tJrqSRkC6d
— Carolyn Burt (Taylor’s Version) (@CarolynBurt_) January 1, 2024
Best Turn Ever! Toho Marching Band! #RoseParade
— plzrecycle (@RecyclePleaz) January 1, 2024
3. Little leaguers!
El Segundo’s hometown heroes — winners of the 2023 Little League World Series championship — were celebrated on the float from DirecTV. The players, who defied the odds and completed their dream season by battling back from a four-run deficit in the finale to win, were celebrated again for their parade appearance.
OMG, so fun to see the El Segundo Champions if the 2023 Little League World Series. So special for those kids.#RoseParade #TournamentofRoses #RoseBowl #PetalPusher @KTLA
— Non Sequitur Girl (@CruisingCathy) January 1, 2024
Take Me Out to the Ball Game because here’s the El Segundo Little League Float!
Read more about the float which is presented by DirecTV: https://t.co/pDUyYutIhb#RoseParade #pasadena #elsegundo @passtarnews @dailybreezenews pic.twitter.com/fQihgEjYIM— Carolyn Burt (Taylor’s Version) (@CarolynBurt_) January 1, 2024
El Segundo Little League world champions Rose Bowl float today. Amazing feet is my town go Gundo. pic.twitter.com/ouI70aKr8k
— Studio Antiques (@studioantiques) January 1, 2024
4. A Blues Brothers rendition to remember
Performing aboard the Illinois Office of Tourism’s float was a capella group Straight No Chaser. Social media went wild when the group performed songs by The Blues Brothers.
My favorite rose parade performance so far
the blues brothers on the Illinois float #RoseParade pic.twitter.com/YgXVw2E90S
— pro dreamer (@prodreamer1) January 1, 2024
Watching the Rose Parade and I’m glad the state of Illinois recognizes that their best cultural export is The Blues Brothers
— Who-liday Cheermeister (@twisterfan96) January 1, 2024
Every parade should have a Blues Brothers float! pic.twitter.com/uyO4fRpPKV
— Hawkeye Weird Al (@HawkeyeWeirdAl) January 1, 2024
5. Hockey legends make an appearance:
Showcasing some of the highlights of the area in and around Fort Lauderdale, Fla., the Visit Lauderdale float featured a Guitar Hotel replica, manatees, sea turtle, tropical scenery and Florida Panthers icons. Stanley C. Panther and former hockey player Bill Lindsay waved to the crowds, bringing excitement to fans.
Didn’t expect to see #FlaPanthers mascot Stanley C. Panther on a Rose Parade float this morning pic.twitter.com/I3zHlmG8Ha
— x – Drake not Josh (@draylor09) January 1, 2024
Here comes the Fort Lauderdale, Florida float! #RoseParade pic.twitter.com/eEyS9vDrc6
— Carolyn Burt (Taylor’s Version) (@CarolynBurt_) January 1, 2024
Of all the people I expected to see on a float in the Rose Parade, Stanley C. Panther and Bill Lindsay weren’t two of them
— Go Get Him, Tom (@tcopain) January 1, 2024