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CNN Live Event/Special
137th Rose Parade. Aired 12:30-1p ET
Aired January 01, 2026 - 12:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[12:30:00]
ELEX MICHAELSON, CNN ANCHOR: -- going forward.
COY WIRE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, and the horses and everyone wearing these beautiful outfits today. We're going to welcome you back with La Canada Flint Ride. Their theme, Going Nuts. Now, this float is self- built. Not one of the professional companies that do many of these floats. La Canada Flint Ridge Tournament of Roses Association was formed in 1978 and the volunteers are the heart of the organization.
MICHAELSON: Yes, the theme this year is Going Nuts, which is often how I feel after reading political headlines. But this is focused. We see the skunk is moving, which is pretty cool to see the animatronics on all of this. The bunny is covered in bunny tails, cotton, and pink rose petals as well. It takes inspiration, as many things does in this parade, for community support for the Eaton Fire communities. Devastated last year.
And you see La Canada Flint Ridge, which is one of those communities that is right next door, impacted by this, probably took a lot of evacuees, and they're honoring those folks as part of this as well. And so, it's a lot of fun what they put together with this display, which is so bright.
WIRE: And it won the Mayor's Award, Most Outstanding Float from a Participating City. Next up, the First Cavalry Division, Horse Cavalry Detachment, an equestrian military unit of the United States Army. Based out of Fort Hood, Texas, one of only a handful of active horse cavalry units in the U.S. Army. You have 30-plus dark bay horses that are part of this unit. They're often accompanied by that dog that you see there --
MICHAELSON: Yes, look at that.
WIRE: -- with that unit. Mascot dog getting the crowd hype.
MICHAELSON: That dog's going off.
WIRE: I don't know if he's seeing a float in front of him. He was wanting to attack some of those --
MICHAELSON: Is that part of the training, or is that just with this guy? I mean, that's a lot of stimulation for a dog, to be in the middle of that.
WIRE: I mean, really, he's just like, really? You got me doing this in the rain? You told me -- you promised me no rain.
MICHAELSON: Yes, yes.
WIRE: Fort Hood's one of the largest military bases in the world. Roughly 40,000 active-duty soldiers, more than 60,000 total personnel, including families, on the base.
MICHAELSON: Time to play bowling. Go Bowling, I should say. The Go Bowling float is rolling together as one, and you see the pins and the balls are moving.
WIRE: They spared no expense on this float.
MICHAELSON: There you go.
WIRE: More than 50,000 flowers. Bowling, of course, one of the oldest sports, dating back 5,000 years. I love how they put this thing together. The way that the pins move, the ball spins, incredible stuff. Their creativity. You have five pins spinning in place, just as if they got struck by a ball there.
Listen, do you know the fastest recorded bowling ball speed ever recorded?
MICHAELSON: What is that?
WIRE: More than 100 miles per hour, Elex.
MICHAELSON: Wow.
WIRE: Who threw that thing?
MICHAELSON: Not me, that's for sure. All right. This next story is a really interesting story, The Band Directors Marching Band. So, there was a band director named Mike Sewell, who was a long-time band director in Pickerington, Ohio. And he was so great that after he died, they brought all these folks together from around the country to honor him. So, this is a band that includes band directors from 50 states who are coming together to be part of this band today. They're playing "Strike Up the Band," which seems fitting. Let's listen to some of them.
(MUSIC PLAYING)
WIRE: Making their way for the float, Elex, here it comes.
MICHAELSON: This is their float. So, how cool is this? So, almost everybody in this band teach band at different schools around the country. And as a former band geek, and a shout-out to my old band director, Matthew McKagan (ph), The Band Directors are so inspiring. The band director on this float is James Hahn. That's who's being depicted here, who is an L.A.-based band director. But really, this is a celebration of how music transforms lives. Music, the universal language, which helps so many people in math and science and everything else. You can get your kids to be a part of a band program. It can change their life. And I love what's going on here. WIRE: There's a lot going on. This is the loudest band we've heard by far. Could be because they stopped and facing the crowd now. And the fans are getting into it. They're waving their arms.
MICHAELSON: It kind of looks like he's got a runny booger because of the rain.
WIRE: He's got glue snot bubbles.
[12:35:00]
MICHAELSON: Yes. But that's OK.
WIRE: As a former saxophonist, I have to ask you, playing in the rain like this, does that affect your playing?
MICHAELSON: Of course.
WIRE: Tell me what happens when you get down there.
MICHAELSON: How does it not? It makes everything harder. But --
WIRE: I'm just picturing, like, rain going down into those big tubas.
MICHAELSON: Yes. But these guys are tough, and they keep going. And, you know, the real marching bands are used to stuff like that. I mean, that's what happens. Certainly, you know, when you play back east, those bands are used to having inclement weather. That's stuff that you train for when you're outside and practicing. But I love this story of sort of everybody coming together to highlight the importance of music. And those tubas are impressive, aren't they?
WIRE: And the impact of one person, right? Think of the man who had the impact on all of these band directors who are now passing along what they've been taught.
MICHAELSON: Right. And that is so true for educators. And let's give a shout out to teachers, not just band directors around the country. Because as we've seen so often, you know, one adult taking an interest in a kid and making them feel seen and making them feel like somebody cares can change their life in such a powerful direction. I've seen that working with the Boys and Girls Club over the years and so many different organizations. And clearly these are the kinds of teachers that do just that.
WIRE: Yes. And we have another powerful tribute to an important part of our history, The New Buffalo Soldiers representing the 10th Regiment Company H of the United States Cavalry, a historical interpretation group. They honor the legacy of the original Buffalo Soldiers who served in the United States from the end of the Civil War through World War II, continually researching this new Buffalo Soldiers group to refine their portrayals so that they can accurately represent the history of black Americans in the U.S. military. They're participating in this Rose Parade to educate a global audience about the vital role of black American soldiers in U.S. history. And they're historically accurate, too. These are U.S. military uniforms from the Civil War.
MICHAELSON: Think about that.
WIRE: Representing the Indian War, Spanish-American War. So, impressive. The nickname Buffalo Soldiers was given by Native American tribes.
MICHAELSON: And speaking of power music, you think of Bob Marley when you think of the Buffalo Soldiers. We're going to sneak in a quick break. Up next is America Prepares to Turn 250. We're celebrating early with a float you will not want to miss. Stay with us. You're watching the Rose Parade on CNN.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[12:40:00]
WIRE: Welcome back to the 137th Rose Parade, presented by Honda. Coy Wire here alongside Elex Michaelson. Let's welcome you back with Brownsburg, Indiana High School, The Sound of Brownsburg, making their first-ever appearance in the Rose Parade.
MICHAELSON: With a tribute to "Wicked."
(MUSIC PLAYING)
MICHAELSON: I've never seen tubas carried like that before.
WIRE: That is -- that's hard. Five and a half miles walking with a tuba like that. A lot easier to be carrying the flute.
MICHAELSON: Still, even the flute, my shoulder's cramping up just thinking about that.
WIRE: Yes.
MICHAELSON: These high school kids from Brownsburg, Indiana. First time they've ever appeared in the Rose Parade, which is pretty cool for them and for their parents and everybody watching around the country. And they get to be here for the Hoosier Rose Parade as well, which is pretty cool.
WIRE: And we have seen a lot of Hoosiers fans taking over Pasadena. Maybe it's, you know, a little bit of fatigue for Alabama fans, but overwhelming majority are fans from Indiana.
MICHAELSON: Of course, Indiana versus Alabama later at the Rose Bowl game here in Pasadena, where we expect the rain to let up a little bit. On to more floats, including a special one celebrating our country.
WIRE: Yes, America250 soaring onward together. Winners of the Leishman Award. Most outstanding floral presentation from a non- commercial participant. This is one of the most extensive floral displays the Rose Parade has ever seen in its 137 years. Incredible stuff. 30-foot tall, bald eagles. MICHAELSON: And we've got a waterfall, which was supposed to be there. That's not just the overflow of water that we have seen.
WIRE: Yes.
MICHAELSON: Look at these animated eagles.
WIRE: Wow.
MICHAELSON: This is incredible, the fireworks going off.
WIRE: Yes, this year we will be saying happy 250th birthday to our nation. And America250 is celebrating this once in a generation milestone, the anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
[12:45:00]
This organization, their aim is to inspire Americans to reflect on the nation's past, renew commitment to founding values, and imagine a brighter future together.
MICHAELSON: 500,000 flowers on this float alone. I mean, how spectacular are those eagles? I mean, just look at the face and the eyes and the intricate craftwork is really cool. This is one of the most impressive floats that we've seen in the entire parade. We've got to get one more commercial break in.
WIRE: Yes. Up next, an incredible blockbuster of a grand finale, a performance you are definitely not going to want to miss. Coy Wire here with Elex Michaelson. We'll be right back after the break.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[12:50:00]
MICHAELSON: Welcome back to the 137th Rose Parade presented by Honda. Happy New Year to every who is watching.
WIRE: Happy New Year to all. This is coming down to end of this parade. This parage, five and a half mile route ending at the Rose Bowl, where later today we have the number one team in the nation, Indiana facing off against Alabama.
We are looking at the Showmanship Award Winner, the Shriners Children's float called Building Dreams Together. And it's the most outstanding display of showmanship and entertainment.
MICHAELSON: Shriners Children has done such important work for years, providing care to kids, especially with orthopedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries, cleft lip, palate. And this is, you know, a fun thing for kids to look at. We look at, you know, the different aspects of this parade float. And other -- also folks that are connected to the Shriners mission who are a part of it and are riding and waiving as part of it as well. WIRE: This will be the last float we see of the day as we get prepared for the grand finale of the grand daddy parade of them all. Where flowers meet football is up next, because it almost game time here in Pasadena. It's been such a treat and a joy to share this iconic New Year's Day tradition with all of you. We've had a lot of fun despite the rain.
MICHAELSON: And so, what they're doing right now is they hold that float there, and this is a football that's going to be thrown as part of the Shriners thing, which is supposed to head to Ezra Souza from "Dancing with the Stars," who will catch it alongside some of the kids from Shriners Children. So, let's see if the rain impacts the throw. That makes it harder, does it not?
WIRE: It does. Yes, Carlotta, a child from Shriner's Children, throwing that football to Ezra. It will be a bit of a challenge, but there it goes and on goes the tradition.
MICHAELSON: Oh, look at it go.
WIRE: Flying through the air, suddenly the skies are blue.
MICHAELSON: Yes, I mean, how did that happen?
WIRE: It's a magic.
MICHAELSON: What a miracle.
EZRA SOSA, PROFESSIONAL DANCER: Happy New Year.
MICHAELSON: All right. Let's listen to Ezra.
SOSA: I'm Ezra Sosa, professional dancer and one of the finalists of this year's "Dancing with the Stars." And today, I have the best crew with me, Shriners Children's Patients. Every child you see here has been able to keep chasing their passion thanks to the incredible care they received at Shriners Children's because helping kids live their best lives is what they do best.
All right. Let's get ready to enjoy the Rose Bowl game as Indiana faces off against Alabama and the granddaddy of them all. Have a great game and --
CROWD: Happy New Year.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And now, here are Shriners Children's Patients, Carlotta and Brandon. At Shriner's Children's, the world's leading pediatric, orthopedic, and burn care isn't just practice, it's pioneered. It's where life-changing advancements begin and kids are empowered to do extraordinary things, all while receiving the most amazing care anywhere.
Now, Carlotta will throw the ceremonial first pass from the Rose Parade to the Rose Bowl game.
MICHAELSON: I think that already happened. So, that's all right. But now what we're looking at is the grand finale of this whole thing.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: -- Capital Cities takes the spotlight with their global smash, Safe and Sound, joined by Deck of Hearts. Fresh off their mic drop win on NBC's "The Voice." With a parade of classic cars, this grand finale erupts into a celebration of joy and nostalgia.
(MUSIC PLAYING)
[12:55:00]
MICHAELSON: Capital Cities and Deck of hearts wrapping up the Tournament of Roses Parade. What a performance.
WIRE: What a performance, what a special day. It was a dream come true for me to be part of this. I grew up as I know you did, watching this parade every year with my mom, my dad, my brother, sister, and now my wife, Claire and Ren and Ruby, our daughters, at home watching the parade with us as we watch it with all of you.
MICHAELSON: And a big shout out, not only to our CNN team for broadcasting this for the first time and getting all this done in despite torrential downpours, but for everybody who came out here. And despite the rain, as they say in show business, the show must go on. Everybody out here doing their best, some in ponchos, some uncovered walking for five and a half miles and showcasing the best, not only of Southern California, but of the entire country and really the entire world as we've seen international acts performing as well.
And this event, it brings so much joy to people all over the world and in a time of so much divisiveness. This event has bring people together in a really beautiful way, and it's a terrific way to start off the new year. And hopefully, sometimes rain is good luck. And hopefully, this year, that's the case.
WIRE: That's the case. And the magic and teamwork, of course, was the Rose Parade's theme this year. And I think you're right, we need that now more than ever, and nothing can bring people together like a beautiful parade to welcome in the new year. And of course, the Rose Bowl, the game being played between India and Alabama. Again, you have people from all different walks of life, different racial, ethnic, religious backgrounds, all coming together to celebrate a sport. The teams they love. Embracing one another no matter the colors they're wearing.
MICHAELSON: And you know, a thing or two about that parade. Let's -- or about that game, I should say. And we've even got some pictures of this guy showcasing his tremendous hair and his tremendous muscles.
WIRE: Oh, look at that.
MICHAELSON: Look at this face at the Rose Bowl game playing for Stanford. What was that experience like?
WIRE: I think my hair gives yours a run for its money. When it existed. It was a literal dream come true to play in that game. The 2000 Rose Bowl, former teammate of mine, Mike Burke, texted me this morning, said it was 25 years ago that we woke up in our hotel room and then we went to the game to play against --
[13:00:00]
