Mississippi’s ‘Two Kings’ to Take Center Stage at 2025 Rose Parade Debut

Visit Mississippi, the state’s official destination marketing organization, will make its historic debut at the 136th Rose Parade in Pasadena, California, celebrating the 90th birthday of Elvis Presley and 100th birthday of B.B. King.

The float marks the state’s most ambitious effort to showcase its musical heritage on an international stage, featuring live performances and iconic landmarks representing Mississippi’s rich musical legacy.

“In 2025, Visit Mississippi will celebrate its ‘Two Kings’ in honor of Elvis Presley’s 90th birthday and B.B. King’s 100th birthday,” said Katie Coats, Director of Marketing and Communications at Visit Mississippi.

The float design, created by John Ramirez of Artistic Entertainment Services, will feature towering representations of both musicians alongside elements from the Mississippi Blues Trail and Country Music Trail. Notable landmarks from Tupelo, Indianola, Jackson, and Coastal Mississippi will be incorporated into the design, along with musical notes, magnolias, instruments, blues trail markers, historic venue signage, and GRAMMY awards.

Chapel Hart and Brandon Bennett will perform live on the float, presenting a four-song mashup featuring “The Thrill is Gone,” “Jailhouse Rock,” “When Love Came to Town,” and “Hound Dog.” “Chapel Hart and Brandon Bennett will grace the float stage for a mashup of hits by our historic leading men,” Coats explained.

The parade appearance, which will include attendance by Governor Tate Reeves and family, will launch Mississippi’s year-long music tourism campaign for 2025. “The Mississippi float will be viewed by 850,000 streetside spectators, 27.8 million U.S. television viewers, and the parade will be televised in 60+ countries,” said Coats.

While the float celebrates Mississippi’s musical heritage, it also aims to highlight the state’s broader appeal as a premier travel destination for leisure, business, and cultural exploration. “Beyond its status as the birthplace of the Blues, Mississippi is renowned for its rich culinary traditions, a thriving arts and culture scene, and an abundance of outdoor adventures,” Coats noted.

The state plans to leverage multiple promotional opportunities surrounding the parade, including Floatfest, float-making days, public relations efforts, and social media campaigns. These initiatives will showcase Mississippi’s diverse attractions, from Civil Rights Movement historical sites and Southern culinary traditions to small town charm and hospitality, all designed to drive traffic to visitmississippi.org and inspire travel to the state.