Kermit the Frog Will Hop Aboard Mississippi Float for Mid-Rose Parade Performance

[UPDATED] The beloved Muppet will serve as the centerpiece of Mississippi’s mid-parade float in the 2026 procession, the Tournament of Roses announced Tuesday—a tribute to Mississippian Jim Henson that anchors the state’s broader celebration of its contributions to American culture.

The float, titled “Mississippi: Where Creativity Blooms,” will showcase the Magnolia State’s artistic legacy across blues, country music, literature and ballet when it rolls through Pasadena on New Year’s Day. Visit Mississippi will present the entry.

Country artist Charlie Worsham, a Mississippi native who has performed more than 100 times at the Grand Ole Opry, will perform live on the float alongside dancers. Worsham has shared stages with Taylor Swift, Miranda Lambert and Eric Church, co-written songs for Dierks Bentley and Kenny Chesney, and sparked viral moments with his song “Could It Be.”

The float’s design draws on Mississippi’s artistic and literary heritage. Artwork inspired by Walter Anderson will wrap the stage. Books stacked atop the float will symbolize Mississippi’s contributions to the visual, musical, literary and cinematic arts, adorned with covers from works by Jesmyn Ward, Tennessee Williams, Willie Morris, William Faulkner, Eudora Welty and Greg Iles. Directional signage will symbolically point viewers toward places across Mississippi that honor and inspire creativity.

The 137th Rose Parade, presented by Honda, begins at 8 a.m. on Jan. 1, 2026. Millions of viewers worldwide are expected to watch the floral procession through Pasadena.