Pasadena’s Black History Parade and Festival Return to Glory

Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo during the 41st annual Pasadena Black History Parade and Festival on Fair Oaks Ave. on Feb. 18, 2023. [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]

Lena Kennedy, sister of the late City Councilmember John Kennedy, with U.S. Representative Adam Schiff, City Commissioner Brandon Lamar, Pasadena Police Commander Bill Grisafe, L.A. County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, U.S. Representative Judy Chu, Pasadena Councilmember Steve Madison, and the City of Pasadena’s Robert Monzon during the 41st annual Pasadena Black History Parade and Festival on Fair Oaks Ave. on Feb. 18, 2023. [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]

Pasadena Councilmember Tyron Hampton greets parade-goer during the 41st annual Pasadena Black History Parade and Festival on Fair Oaks Ave. on Feb. 18, 2023. [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]

Parade leadoff

Vannia de la Cuba, Deputy to the Mayor, with Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo, Pasadena Councilmember Tyron Hampton, and Pasadena Councilmember Justin Jones during the 41st annual Pasadena Black History Parade and Festival on Fair Oaks Ave. on Feb. 18, 2023. [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]

Pasadena Vice Mayor Felicia Williams during the 41st annual Pasadena Black History Parade and Festival on Fair Oaks Ave. on Feb. 18, 2023. [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]

Participant during the 41st annual Pasadena Black History Parade and Festival on Fair Oaks Ave. on Feb. 18, 2023. [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]

Grand Marshall Jim Hill during the 41st annual Pasadena Black History Parade and Festival on Fair Oaks Ave. on Feb. 18, 2023. [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]

Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo greets parade-goer during the 41st annual Pasadena Black History Parade and Festival on Fair Oaks Ave. on Feb. 18, 2023. [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]

Participants during the 41st annual Pasadena Black History Parade and Festival on Fair Oaks Ave. on Feb. 18, 2023. [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]

Pasadena City Attorney Michele Bagneris during the 41st annual Pasadena Black History Parade and Festival on Fair Oaks Ave. on Feb. 18, 2023. [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]

Parade-goer during the 41st annual Pasadena Black History Parade and Festival on Fair Oaks Ave. on Feb. 18, 2023. [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]

U.S. Representative Adam Schiff during the 41st annual Pasadena Black History Parade and Festival on Fair Oaks Ave. on Feb. 18, 2023. [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]

L.A. County Supervisor Kathryn Barger during the 41st annual Pasadena Black History Parade and Festival on Fair Oaks Ave. on Feb. 18, 2023. [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]

Participant during the 41st annual Pasadena Black History Parade and Festival on Fair Oaks Ave. on Feb. 18, 2023. [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]

U.S. Representative Judy Chu during the 41st annual Pasadena Black History Parade and Festival on Fair Oaks Ave. on Feb. 18, 2023. [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]

California State Senator Anthony Portantino during the 41st annual Pasadena Black History Parade and Festival on Fair Oaks Ave. on Feb. 18, 2023. [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]

Actress Gretchen Palmer during the 41st annual Pasadena Black History Parade and Festival on Fair Oaks Ave. on Feb. 18, 2023. [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]

Parade-goer during the 41st annual Pasadena Black History Parade and Festival on Fair Oaks Ave. on Feb. 18, 2023. [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]

Participants during the 41st annual Pasadena Black History Parade and Festival on Fair Oaks Ave. on Feb. 18, 2023. [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]

Pasadena Councilmember Justin Jones greets parade-goer during the 41st annual Pasadena Black History Parade and Festival on Fair Oaks Ave. on Feb. 18, 2023. [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]

Participant during the 41st annual Pasadena Black History Parade and Festival on Fair Oaks Ave. on Feb. 18, 2023. [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]

Pasadena Councilmember Gene Masuda greets parade-goer during the 41st annual Pasadena Black History Parade and Festival on Fair Oaks Ave. on Feb. 18, 2023. [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]

California State Assemblymember Chris Holden during the 41st annual Pasadena Black History Parade and Festival on Fair Oaks Ave. on Feb. 18, 2023. [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]

Former Pasadena Police Lieutenant and current Candidate for the State Assembly Phlunté Riddle and supporters during the 41st annual Pasadena Black History Parade and Festival on Fair Oaks Ave. on Feb. 18, 2023. [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]

Participant during the 41st annual Pasadena Black History Parade and Festival on Fair Oaks Ave. on Feb. 18, 2023. [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]

Pasadena Councilmember Jessica Rivas during the 41st annual Pasadena Black History Parade and Festival on Fair Oaks Ave. on Feb. 18, 2023. [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]

Pasadena Councilmember Tyron Hampton greets parade-goer during the 41st annual Pasadena Black History Parade and Festival on Fair Oaks Ave. on Feb. 18, 2023. [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]

Pasadena Councilmember Steve Madison during the 41st annual Pasadena Black History Parade and Festival on Fair Oaks Ave. on Feb. 18, 2023. [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]

Participants during the 41st annual Pasadena Black History Parade and Festival on Fair Oaks Ave. on Feb. 18, 2023. [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]

Pasadena Unified School District Board President Michele Richardson Bailey during the 41st annual Pasadena Black History Parade and Festival on Fair Oaks Ave. on Feb. 18, 2023. [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]

Participants during the 41st annual Pasadena Black History Parade and Festival on Fair Oaks Ave. on Feb. 18, 2023. [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]

U.S. Representative Adam Schiff greets parade-goer during the 41st annual Pasadena Black History Parade and Festival on Fair Oaks Ave. on Feb. 18, 2023. [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]

Parade-goers during the 41st annual Pasadena Black History Parade and Festival on Fair Oaks Ave. on Feb. 18, 2023. [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]

Participant during the 41st annual Pasadena Black History Parade and Festival on Fair Oaks Ave. on Feb. 18, 2023. [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]

Pasadena Vice Mayor Felicia Williams, Rose Bowl CEO Jens Weiden, former Pasadena Mayor Terry Tornek during the 41st annual Pasadena Black History Parade and Festival on Fair Oaks Ave. on Feb. 18, 2023. [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]

Pasadena City Manager Miguel Márquez during the 41st annual Pasadena Black History Parade and Festival on Fair Oaks Ave. on Feb. 18, 2023. [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]

Pasadena Fire Chief Chad Augustin and crew during the 41st annual Pasadena Black History Parade and Festival on Fair Oaks Ave. on Feb. 18, 2023. [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]

Participants during the 41st annual Pasadena Black History Parade and Festival on Fair Oaks Ave. on Feb. 18, 2023. [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]

The Pasadena Black History Month Parade and Festival returned Saturday attracting what Mayor Victor Gordo called “the largest crowd I can remember.”

The nearly one-mile-long parade route — which headed south on Fair Oaks from Altadena down to the Festival in Jackie Robinson Park — drew thousands of viewers along the parade route and featured scores of entries from bands to dance troupes to a host of local celebrities and elected officials.

This year’s theme, “Celebrating our Excellence—The Legacy of Councilmember John J. Kennedy,” paid tribute to the late Councilmember who died suddenly and unexpectedly in July.

Longtime KCBS-TV sportscaster and former NFL defensive back Jim Hill served as the parade’s celebrity grand marshal.

Pasadena natives and presiding Los Angeles County Superior Court judges Pamela Dansby and Tara Newman served as community grand marshals.

The John Muir and Pasadena High School football teams were named as the youth grand marshals of the year. Muir emerged victorious as CIF champions last year, while Pasadena claimed the Pacific League championship.

U.S. Congress members Adam Schiff and Judy Chu, State Assemblymember Chris Holden, and State Senator Anthony Portantino joined local officials in waving to the crowd as they rolled and strolled the route.

Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo and Vice Mayor Felicia Williams were in the parade, as were Councilmembers Tyron Hampton, Justin Jones, Jess Rivas, Gene Masuda and Steve Madison.

The fun-loving, boisterous crowd lined the sidewalks four rows deep in some spots along the route, cheering on the bands, celebrities and dance troupes.

The community was eager to be able to celebrate again, said Allen Edson, NAACP Pasadena Branch president.

“Just look at the turnout,” he said, at Robinson Park where the parade crowd gathered for a community festival. “This is an opportunity for the community to come together, which I think is beautiful.”

Remarking on the success of the event, Edson added, “I think people were just lying in wait for this event to happen. People are just really eager for this, and I think it’s just beautiful to see the diversity of people here.”

Pasadena Mayor Gordo added to the sentiment, saying, “Today is very special because it’s an opportunity to celebrate Pasadena’s diversity, particularly celebrating Black history, and the contributions of African-Americans, not just in Pasadena, but around the country and around the world.”

The event was also a continuation of the ongoing celebration of the life of Councilmember John J. Kennedy, who passed away suddenly and unexpectedly last summer.

“He dedicated his life to serving the city and the people of Pasadena,” said Mayor Gordo, “and he loved Pasadena.”

Kennedy’s sister Lena rode in the parade in her brother’s honor.

Following the parade, hundreds of people participated in a family-friendly festival in Robinson Park showcasing live performances by R&B artist MAJOR. and the band Luv from Abuv, along with food vendors, informational booths, a children’s zone, and a fair featuring Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).