Tournament of Roses Seeks New Volunteers, Schedules Two Recruitment Orientations

The Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association, the volunteer-driven nonprofit behind the Rose Parade and Rose Bowl Game, is recruiting new members and has scheduled two prospective member orientations this month at Tournament House, according to the organization. The sessions are set for February 18 and February 28, 2026.

The recruitment comes as the organization enters a new era under President Terry Madigan, who took office on January 15 and announced “Welcome” as the theme for the 2027 Rose Parade — a word that extends, it seems, even to the organization’s own ranks.

Volunteer members — known as White Suiters for the distinctive white suits they wear on parade day — contribute more than 80,000 combined hours each year to plan and execute the New Year’s Day events that draw a worldwide television audience.

Each member is assigned to one of the organization’s 30 committees, with duties that range from selecting parade participants and directing visitors on New Year’s Day to serving food to band members at the end of the parade route.

The commitment is not small. New members should expect to spend about 40 hours per year on committee work, mostly during the last few weeks of each year, according to the organization’s membership page. Members must be available to volunteer on and around January 1 and to attend committee meetings throughout the year.

Eligibility requirements include being between the ages of 21 and 70, living or working within 25 miles of Pasadena City Hall at 100 Garfield Ave., and being willing to purchase a white suit. Annual dues start at $55 and increase depending on member level. A background screening is required.

The Tournament of Roses has operated out of Tournament House, the former Wrigley Mansion at 391 S. Orange Grove Blvd. in Pasadena, since the property was donated to the city after Mrs. William Wrigley Jr.’s death in 1958. The organization has produced the Rose Parade annually since 1890.

The 137th Rose Parade on January 1, 2026, under the theme “The Magic in Teamwork” chosen by then-President Mark Leavens, drew its usual massive audience despite rain — the first wet parade in 20 years.

For information about becoming a volunteer member, contact the Tournament of Roses at membership@tournamentofroses.com or call (626) 449-4100.