Pasadena Welcomes ‘Expanded’ New Year’s Day Celebration, Focuses on Safety

Safety was the theme Thursday morning at City Hall as a host of local leaders— Interim Police Chief Jason Clawson, Fire Chief Chad Augustin, Tournament of Roses Executive Director David Eads and Rose Bowl Stadium CEO Jens Weiden—held a press conference to provide updates on safety preparations, road closures, overnight camping and safety measures for attendees of the 2023 Rose Parade and Rose Bowl Game.

Since New Year’s Day events are traditionally never held on Sundays, the 2023 134th Rose Parade, and the 109th Rose Bowl game—featuring Penn State vs. Utah—will both be held on Monday, January 2.

“It’s a two-for-one event,” said Mayor Gordo. “You can stay up all night on New Year’s Eve, and then relax on New Year’s Day, and wake up on Monday, ready for the parade and the game.”

Added Gordo, “We’re welcoming everyone to an expanded New Year’s celebration. This year it’s the 1st and the 2nd that we will be celebrating in Pasadena.”

Tournament of Roses Executive Director/CEO David Eads, told the assembled media that the Tournament’s “priority continues to be the safety of our participants, our volunteers, our guests, and our staff, and everyone else who plays a significant role in producing these events.”

Eads emphasized this year’s New Year’s Day theme, “Turning the Corner,” calling it “most appropriate” and saying that “this really represents an opportunity to get a fresh start and enjoy the joy and beauty that the new year will bring.”

Eads also pointed out and thanked the 80,000 volunteer hours that will be necessary to produce this year’s parade.

Continuing on the safety theme, Pasadena Fire Chief Chad Augustin reminded parade visitors to dress warmly and in layers, and also reminded visitors that couches, benches, ladders, and large furnishings are not allowed along the parade route, nor are open fires. 

Only professional barbecues set at least one foot off the ground will be allowed along the parade route. Those will also require fire extinguishers to be on hand.

“We get a lot of calls for hypothermia on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day morning, so we are reminding everyone to please dress warmly,” Augustin said.

Interim Police Chief Jason Clawson said that the parade route will feature heavy security and emphasized that the area around Colorado Boulevard is a “no drone zone” and that anti-drone mitigation efforts were in effect, should they be needed.

“Safety for everyone is paramount,” said Clawson.

Pasadena City manager Miguel Márquez also reminded the press that streets around the parade route will be closed beginning at 10 p.m. on New Year’s.

For additional information on Parade safety, please click here.