Roundup: 2018 Rose Parade showcases big musical performances, beautiful Southern California
weather, Music took on a headlining role at the 129th Rose Parade with big opening and
closing numbers, a surprise performance by Earth, Wind & Fire, and the best marching
bands from around the world.
Youtube star and singer Todrick Hall kicked off the mostly tame event with an elaborate
production with 100 dancers and musicians.
Hours later, pop artist Andy Grammer closed out the day with a mobile concert, complete
with an accompanying audience of fans who launched into a synchronized dance.
But it was funk and soul band Earth, Wind & Fire that stole the spotlight with a surprise
performance of "September" after emerging from The Forum's float.
The Inglewood venue is celebrating its 50th anniversary.
The spinning, leaping and dancing band members of the Kyoto Tachibana High School wowed when
their athletic choreography did not stop them from playing music from "Star Wars," "Super
Mario Brothers" and more.
Senior Hitomi Kanamaru, who has a prosthetic leg, received accolades from broadcasters
for performing flawlessly with the group.
Sunny, above average temperatures in the 60s and 70s provided a welcome change from the
chilly weather of the past few years.
This year's parade celebrated the theme of "Making a Difference" with actor and
humanitarian Gary Sinise serving as grand marshal.
Police, firefighters, service members and volunteers were highlighted throughout the
day, including firefighters who battled wildfires throughout Southern California in recent weeks.
Sinise rode the 5.5 miles in the black car George Bailey runs into a tree in "It's
a Wonderful Life," the classic Christmas movie that Tournament of Roses President Lance
Tibbett used as inspiration for his vision for the parade.
Though the big moments often got a lot of attention, there were poignant moments spread
throughout the parade.
Los Angeles Dodgers' team member Enrique "Kiké" Hernandez, standing with his father,
drew cheers on the City of Hope's float.
The "Transforming Lives with Hope" display featured a wishing tree with leaves made from
notes written by cancer patients and their families.
Hernandez's father was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, but he is now in remission.
The Lucy Pet Foundation's "Paws for Life" saluted heroic animals and their owners, including
"Sirius," a military K-9 now living with the family of fallen U.S. Marine Sgt.
Joshua Ashley in Rancho Cucamonga, and Tara, a cat that fearlessly rescued a 4-year-old
from a viscous dog in Bakersfield.
Susan Bro, the mother of Heather Heyer, the woman killed during protests in Charlottesville,
rode on the AIDS Healthcare Foundation's "Keeping the Promise" float with its frank
reminder about the ongoing fight for civil rights and social justice.
KTLA's Mark Steines and Leeza Gibbons, in their second year of hosting the show, faced
new competition this year from Amazon.
In partnership with Funny or Die, Amazon Prime streamed the parade with their own veteran
hosts, the characters of Cord Hosenbeck and Tish Cattigan played by Will Ferrell and Molly
Shannon.
Their joking coverage found mixed reactions.
Some felt the parody made it hard to watch the actual parade, while others loved the
absurdity.
The video was almost a 50/50 split between 5-star and 1-star reviews on Amazon by Monday
afternoon.
Cord and Tish twisted the decades of banter between established hosts, such as the now-retired
Bob Eubanks and Stephanie Edwards.
In one seemingly unscripted interaction, a woman passing by scolded actor Tim Meadows
for blocking her view of the parade.
"Does she know you're talking to Cord and Tish?"
Ferrell asked, the camera panning toward the woman as she tried to wave it away.
"She says no, she doesn't care," Meadows replied.
Later, as the credits rolled, Ferrell and Shannon, acting as if their microphone were
off, debated firing their entire crew.
Amazon's entry "Make Your Own Momentum" offered a unique take on a float, especially
in the way it was powered.
The giant wheels advertising the "Grand Tour" were pushed by a total of eight people
for all 5 1/2 miles of the route.
Other standouts include Singpoli's award-winning "Rising Above" float, which depicted a
legend of fish leaping over a gate to become dragons; Trader Joe's "Hats Off," a
confetti flinging take on the Fearless Flyer; and of course, the miniature therapy horses.
There were still a few mishaps.
Audiences members held their breath as the city of Carson's float veered dangerously
close to the grandstands before righting itself.
The AgPhD TV and Radio float was the first to break down; it had to be towed almost immediately.
The Rose Parade has a fleet of tow trucks on standby every year to keep problematic
floats from slowing
down
the rest.
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