Free Republic

PASADENA, Calif. - Vin Scully will usher in 2014 as grand marshal of the 125th Rose Parade, an honour the Los Angeles Dodgers broadcaster initially wasn't sure he would accept. The more he thought about it, though, the more he warmed up to the idea, calling it "one of those one-in-a-million experiences." Scully will be joined by his wife, Sandi, for the 5 1/2-mile ride down Colorado Boulevard in Pasadena on Jan. 1.

The 123rd Tournament of Roses Parade, with the theme Just Imagine..., will take place on Monday, January 2, 2012 at and will be broadcast commercial-free live at 8:00 a.m. on KTLA 5 and KTLA.COM with hosts Bob Eubanks and Stephanie Edwards.

PASADENA, Calif. -- It was a lovely day at the Tournament of Roses House, as the grandstands for the 119th Annual Rose Parade were already being erected nearby while Dodgers vice chairman and president Jamie McCourt helped unveil to the media the design for the organization's first float in this "tradition-rich New Year's Day spectacle." "This will be a great kickoff," said McCourt, referring to the organization's 50th anniversary celebration of its move to Los Angeles... McCourt also listed the various Dodgers players and organization members, past and present, who will ride on the float that day. They include Hall...

Next year's Rose Parade theme is "Celebrate Family" -- and organizers say that includes homosexual families, too. The Tournament of Roses has been roundly criticized for its plans to celebrate homosexual families at its 2005 Rose Parade, but officials are not backing down. So far, it looks like no homosexual groups have signed up to produce a float, but there have been reports that several gay-friendly businesses that usually sponsor ornate floats in the parade are considering incorporating homosexual families along with traditional families on their floats. The parade, which carries the theme of "Celebrate Family," will be held on...