Just weeks out from what was thought to be one of the most well attended Rose Parades in years, the Pasadena Tournament of Roses has announced the theme for the 136th annual New Year’s Day parade: “Best Day Ever!”
Incoming Tournament of Roses President Ed Morales announced the selection, which will inspire the float designs for the 2025 Rose Parade, in front of a crowd of supporters at the Tournament House on Thursday, Jan. 18, 2024.
“This year’s theme celebrates life’s special moments. Those moments that excite us, motivate us and fill us with joy,” Morales said, noting that the Rose Parade and Rose Bowl unite millions ever New Year.
“It could be the day you learn to ride a bike, a favorite family vacation, or the birth of your first grandchild. These are the moments that make life worth living.”
Each year, the new president selects the theme and the grand marshal of the Rose Parade for the year, on the day they ascend to the position. Morales was confirmed as president and chairman of the board for the 2025 Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association by the Board of Directors earlier Thursday.
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Throughout his tenure as a volunteer Member of the Tournament of Roses, Morales has been involved in numerous committees, such as Community Relations, Membership, Queen and Court and Media Operations. Outside of the Tournament of Roses, Morales is a member of the Pasadena Optimist Club and serves on the Foundation Board for the California School of the Arts.
He is a partner with the Law Offices of Borton Petrini, LLP, receiving his undergraduate degree in History from UCLA, and a Juris Doctorate from Loyola Law School.
The new theme follows the 2024 Rose Parade theme, “Celebrating a World of Music,” which paid homage to music’s ability to unite people. It also informed the selection of the 135th parade’s grand marsha, Audra McDonald.