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Fontana Trumpeter to Perform at 2026 Rose Parade

1/1/2026

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Franco Performs Rose Parade

Maximo Franco, a Kaiser High School senior trumpeter from Fontana, will perform with the Pasadena City College Herald Trumpets at the 2026 Rose Parade on January 1, 2026.
The parade will feature a 25-foot float of 21,000 flowers honoring organ donors, including Inland Empire children.
The event will pay tribute to those affected by the Eaton and Palisades fires, with free tickets offered to impacted residents.

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Magic Johnson Leads Parade

The 137th Rose Parade began January 1, 2026, amid rare rain—the first wet parade in 20 years.
The theme was "The Magic in Teamwork," with Earvin "Magic" Johnson, the Laker legend, serving as Grand Marshal.
A float called "Rising Together" honored survivors of 2025 Eaton and Palisades fires with 31 sunflowers for lives lost, while eight survivors rode.
The parade route spanned 5.5 miles, and rain shaped the atmosphere.

History

Historical Context

The Rose Parade, initiated by Pasadena's Valley Hunt Club in 1890, gained popularity by 1916, featuring 16 floats and attracting thousands. The event has evolved, honoring community resilience through tributes to organ donors and fire survivors. Despite interruptions during World War II and the COVID-19 pandemic, the parade remains a symbol of unity and celebration, showcasing elaborate floral displays and marching bands each New Year's Day.

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Franco Performs Rose Parade

Maximo Franco, a Kaiser High School senior trumpeter from Fontana, will perform with the Pasadena City College Herald Trumpets at the 2026 Rose Parade on January 1, 2026.
The parade will feature a 25-foot float of 21,000 flowers honoring organ donors, including Inland Empire children.
The event will pay tribute to those affected by the Eaton and Palisades fires, with free tickets offered to impacted residents.

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