Rose Parade history

Arts & Entertainment

Rose Parade history

Check out photos over the decades

By Elizabeth Robinson and Megan Garvey

Published December 30, 2025 9:20 AM

The float 'Circus Memories' heads down the parade route during the 110th Annual Rose Parade.

(

Vince Bucci

AFP via Getty Images

)

Topline:

For more than a century, the Rose Parade has delighted audiences across Southern California with its colorful, elaborate floats and fanfare.

What you should know: The parade will celebrate its 137th year when floats begin traveling through Pasadena at 8 a.m. Jan. 1, 2026. This year's theme is "Magic in Teamwork," and Magic Johnson is the Grand Marshal.

Keep reading... for details about key participants — from movie and music stars to sports legends to real-life heroes, and a even a couple of fictional characters, and some vintage photos.

For more than a century, the Rose Parade has delighted audiences across Southern California with its colorful, elaborate floats and fanfare.

The parade will celebrate its 137th year when floats begin traveling through Pasadena at 8 a.m. Jan. 1, 2026. This year's theme is "Magic in Teamwork," and Magic Johnson is the Grand Marshal.

This year, for the first time in two decades, rain appears to be highly likely on parade day. Rain conditions are rare for the legendary parade.

Showing off SoCal weather, in fact, was one of the main drivers of the parade's creation.

As the Pasadena Tournament of Roses website recounts, Charles F. Holder led Valley Hunt Club members in creating the parade in 1890, saying: “In New York, people are buried in snow. Here our flowers are blooming and our oranges are about to bear. Let’s hold a festival to tell the world about our paradise.”

Here are photos from some of the Rose Parades past, with details about key participants — from movie and music stars to sports legends to real-life heroes, and a even a couple of fictional characters:

1939

Theme: "Golden Memories"

Key people:

Lathrop K. Leishman, President
Shirley Temple, Grand Marshal
Barbara Dougall, Rose Queen

1946

Theme: "Victory, Unity & Peace"

Crowds in multi-story bleachers line a road with large parade floats.

Key people:

Charles A. Strutt, President
Admiral William F. Halsey, Grand Marshal
Patricia Auman, Rose Queen

1960

Theme: "Tall Tales and True"

Float shows prospector panning for gold against background of Sierra Nevada Mountain sunrise which lights cascading waterfall. California bears are prominent on float, together with covered wagon bearing famed motto, 'California or Bust,' and pulled by two oxen. Crossed California flags complete decoration, with chrysanthemums used extensively throughout float. Photograph dated January 1, 1960.; See images #00141215 through #00141226 for all photos in this series.

Key people:

Raymond A. Dorn, President
Vice President Richard M. Nixon, Grand Marshal
Margarethe Bertelson, Rose Queen

1975

Theme: "Heritage of America"

A Black man and woman sit in a convertible covered in flowers. He waves to the crowd.

Key people:

Carl H. Hoelscher, President
Paul G. Bryan, President
Henry L. "Hank" Aaron, Grand Marshal
Robin Carr, Rose Queen

1982

Theme: "Friends And Neighbors"

And older man and woman sit atop the back of a convertible. He waves to the crowd.

Key people:

Harold E. Coombes Jr., President
Jimmy Stewart, Grand Marshall
Kathryn Potthast, Rose Queen

1990

Theme: "A World of Harmony"

A white woman with blond hair rides a white horse. She and others on horseback are in period costumes.

Key people:

Don W. Fedde, President
Sen. John Glenn, Grand Marshal
Yasmine Delawari, Rose Queen

1996

Theme: "Kids' Laughter & Dreams"

Three woman, two white and one Black, are in plaid full skirts and white aprons.

Key people:

W.H. Griest Jr., President
Kermit the Frog, Grand Marshal
Keli Hutchins, Rose Queen

1997

Theme: "Life's Shining Moments"

Dinosaurs and dinosaur skeletons are the main features of a float.

Key people:

William S. Johnstone Jr., President
Carl Lewis, Grand Marshal
Shannon Miller, Grand Marshal
Jennifer Halferty, Rose Queen

1999

Theme: "Echoes of the Century"

A large duck is at the front of a float followed but a band and other colorful floats.

Three older man and one woman each have flowers on their lapels.

Key people:

Dick E. Ratli, President
Buzz Aldrin, Grand Marshal
Jackie Robinson, Grand Marshal (posthumously)
Shirley Temple Black, Grand Marshal
David L. Wolper, Grand Marshal
Christina Farrell, Rose Queen

2000

Theme: "Celebrate 2000: Visions of the Future"

A diverse group of young woman are all in red skirt suits.

Three futuristic space travelers adorn a rocket on a float.

Key people:

Kenneth H. Burrows, President
Roy E. Disney, Grand Marshal
Sophia Bush, Rose Queen

2002

Theme: "Good Times"

A giant motorcycle-riding Uncle Sam carries New York firemen, police, and military personnel.

Key people:

Ronald A. Okum, President
Regis Philbin, Grand Marshal
Caroline Hsu, Rose Queen

2005

Theme: "Celebrate Family"

A costumed Mickey Mouse sits atop the back seat of an old-time convertible covered in roses.

Key people:

David M. Davis, President
Mickey Mouse, Grand Marshal
Ashley Moreno, Rose Queen

2006

Theme: "It's Magical"

An older white woman sits in a car with a convertible top that's on in the rain.

A float that has a baby elephant flying from the tail of a bigger elephant passes by rain soaked and partially empty bleachers.

Key people:

Elizabeth Evans Wright, President
Sandra Day O'Connor, Grand Marshal
Camille Clark, Rose Queen

2009

Theme: "Hats Off to Entertainment"

Key people:

Ronald H. Conzonire, President
Cloris Leachman, Grand Marshal
Courtney Lee, Rose Queen

2010

Theme: 2010: A Cut Above the Rest

Key people:

Gary J. DiSano, President
Capt. Chelsey B. "Sully" Sullenberger III, Grand Marshal
Natalie Innocenzi, Rose Queen

2011

Theme: Building Dreams, Friendship & Memories

A group of women in gowns and crowns wave as they ride on a float/

A group of Black band musicians dance in full band uniform.

Key people:

Jerey L. Throop, President
Paula Deen, Grand Marshal
Evanne Friedmann, Rose Queen

2012

Theme: "Just Imagine..."

Key people:

Richard W. Jackson, President
J.R. Martinez, Grand Marshal
Drew Washington, Rose Queen

2014

Theme: "Dreams Come True"

Key people:

R. Scott Jenkins, President
Vin Scully, Grand Marshal
Ana Acosta, Rose Queen

2016

Theme: "Find Your Adventure"

Key people:

Mike Matthiessen, President
Ken Burns, Grand Marshal
Erika Winter, Rose Queen

2017

Theme: "Echoes of Success"

Key people:

Brad Ratli, President
Janet Evans, Grand Marshal
Allyson Felix, Grand Marshal
Greg Louganis, Grand Marshal
Victoria Castellanos, Rose Queen

2018

Theme: "Making a Difference"

Key people:

Lance Tibbet, President
Gary Sinese, Grand Marshal
Isabella Marez, Rose Queen

2019

Theme: "The Melody of Life"

Key people:

Gerald Freeny, President
Chaka Khan, Grand Marshal
Louise Siskel, Rose Queen

2020

Theme: “The Power of Hope”

Cartoon animals operate heavy equipment on a floral float.

Key people:

Laura Farber, President
Camille Kennedy, Rose Queen
Rita Moreno, Grand Marshall
Gina Torres, Grand Marshall
Laurie Hernandez, Grand Marshall

2022

Theme: "Dream. Believe. Achieve."

A zoomed-in view of a parade as it marches through Pasadena.

People in masks wave from inside a yellow floral bus float/

Key people:

Dr. Robert B. Miller President
Nadia Chung, Rose Queen
LeVar, Burton Grand Marshall

2023

Theme: "Turning the Corner"

A crowd snaps photos of a Rose Parade float decorated with snails and mushrooms made with green, yellow, brown, purple and orange flower petals and herbs

Key people:

Amy Wainscott, President
Bella Ballard, Rose Queen
Gabby Giffords, Grand Marshall

2024

Theme: "Celebrating a World of Music: The Universal Language"

A man with slicked back gray hair has his mouth open to sing with his right arm outstretched away from him. A large float can be seen behind him, which is covered in lime green, purple, yellow, and orange flowers. The sky is blue and clear.

Key people:

Alex Aghajanian, President
Naomi Stillitano, Rose Queen
Audra McDonald, Grand Marshall

2025

Theme: "Best Day Ever!"

A woman with light skin and short, dark brown hair sits in the back of a car with an open top. She is wearing glasses, a black shirt and red jacket as she waves to the crowd. The old-time car is a shiny powder blue and decorated with bouquets of flowers in pinks, purples and yellows.

Key people:

Ed Morales, President
Lindsay Charles, Rose Queen
Billie Jean King, Grand Marshall

2026

Theme: "The Magic in Teamwork"

Key people:

Mark Leavens, President
Serena Hui Guo, Rose Queen
Magic Johnson, Grand Marshall

A version of this story initially ran in 2019. It has been updated with additional parade details.

Explore LA

Farewell World Cup

LA will miss you — for the most part

Libby Rainey has been following World Cup celebrations across the city.

Published July 19, 2026 5:00 AM

A crowd watches a World Cup match on a large outdoor screen. Many of them wear green jerseys. A young man and woman hold hands, sitting on a bench.

Hundreds gathered at a city watch party in Highland Park to watch Mexico defeat Ecuador.

(

Libby Rainey

LAist

)

Topline:

After 39 days of soccer, eight matches at SoFi Stadium and many more events big and small across the region, the World Cup is over. Reviews of the tournament in L.A. have broadly been positive, but FIFA's ticket prices, corporate sponsors and official fan zones were criticized.

The highlights: People flocked to bars and public viewing parties. More than 35,000 attended the free city "Kick it in the Park" events. Angelenos wore green with pride to root for Mexico. New fans were, at least temporarily, won over by the beautiful game.

The lowlights: FIFA faced protests over sponsorships from Aramco and Home Depot. Some fan zones also were let-downs. The Lineage warehouse in Boyle Heights broke out in flames during the World Cup, spewing thick smoke across swaths of the city.

Looking ahead: The World Cup has been treated like a warm-up lap for Los Angeles ahead of the 2028 Olympics and Paralympics. As officials and locals review what went well and what needs improvement, it'll be with 2028 in mind.

Read on... for more on how the World Cup was received in L.A.

To understand how the World Cup went in Los Angeles this summer, look no further than the watch parties.

The city of L.A.'s events — branded "Kick it in the Park" — were neighborhood picnics. People could turn up, put up a camping chair, and watch the game in a local park.

In total, the city reports that at least 35,000 people attended them over the past month. Crowds packed Sycamore Grove Park to see Mexico take down Ecuador on a massive screen. At Echo Park Lake, people watched Lionel Messi score a hat trick in Argentina's opening match.

FIFA's official "fan zones" told another story. They were ticketed, fenced off and sometimes expensive. The one on Venice Beach had some locals in an uproar after organizers promised a free block party and under-delivered.

At another fan zone at the Original Farmer's Market, tickets were cheap but once inside, attendees were left to watch the matches from a hot parking lot. If you wanted a beer, the designated drinking area didn't have a clear view of the screens.

After 39 days of soccer, eight matches at SoFi Stadium and many more events big and small across the region, reviews of the tournament have broadly been positive.

People flocked to bars and public viewing parties. Angelenos wore green with pride to root for Mexico. New fans were, at least temporarily, won over by the beautiful game.

But FIFA, with its high ticket prices to get inside the stadium and branded events, had more mixed reviews, and faced protests, too. Some wondered what their community was getting out of all the hubbub.

A person with a light skin tone wearing a black t-shirt holds a red poster that reads "FIFA." The image is solely of the person's torso, but behind them you see other demonstrators.

This balance — enjoying the soccer, but being weary of what comes with it — was a throughline throughout the tournament. So was the sentiment that the World Cup was merely a warm-up lap for the coming 2028 summer Olympics.

" [It's] a tremendous opportunity for us to learn and practice for the '28 Games," said Paul Krekorian, the former L.A. City Council president who leads the city's major events office.

One example of this was public transit. Metro launched a special bus system specifically to take people to and from SoFi Stadium, and it delivered tens of thousands of people there each match. An even larger bus fleet will be needed for the Olympics, which event organizers compare to hosting seven Super Bowls a day for a month.

"The reason we were excited to take on an event like the World Cup before the Super Bowl and the 2028 Games in the first place is because this is where you get the true teaching moments," Metro CEO Stephanie Wiggins wrote in a blog post about the World Cup success.

A bus is covered in a multi-colored wrap with signage that reads "26 Los Angeles World Cup" and "We are Los Angeles".

Other moments during the tournament hinted at the ways mega-events can go south.

A free city watch party for the Korea-Mexico match at Seoul Park was overcrowded and chaotic when thousands more people showed up than organizers expected.

The Lineage warehouse in Boyle Heights broke out in flames during the World Cup, spewing thick smoke across swaths of the city and surrounding areas. The bad air didn't force FIFA to change plans at SoFi Stadium, but had things gone differently, it could have.

Multi-colored flags are strewn across the roof of an empty outdoor patio area. Cars are seen passing in the distance.

And a community event in South L.A. was disrupted when someone flew a drone to take photos and the FBI, Homeland Security and LAPD descended to enforce a strict World Cup anti-drone policy. The nonprofit involved called it an unintended consequence of having high-security sporting events in Los Angeles.

All those issues — crowds, fires and security — will undoubtedly come up again in the lead-up to 2028. They also mean some people will be happy to bid the 2026 World Cup farewell.

Still, many will miss the tournament in Los Angeles, which brought thousands of us out to public spaces to be together. Many of L.A.'s communities got to celebrate their heritage. And everyone could participate. You could strike up conversation simply by wearing your team's jersey while out and about.

That collective, temporary madness is over now. But it was fun while it lasted.

A fresh look in the sea of smartphone photos

Jaden Williams, 16, first picked up a point-and-shoot in his yearbook class. The photos "felt more genuine," he says. Soon enough, he was noticing digicams all over TikTok and among friends. Last month, he requested — and received — one for his birthday. He uses it alongside his phone.

"If I'm about to take pictures of food or something, then I might use my phone," says Williams, from North Carolina. "But if I'm out with friends or at a party, I might use the camera for a more, like, warm vibe."

The turn-of-the-millennium digital photo is hard to mistake: a bit grainy, sometimes fuzzy, overexposed in the center with a blinding flash, often date-stamped in red or orange. A nostalgic haze gives photos the feel of an instant memory.

"The brightness and also the crispness of the photo — but having that blur and grain somehow added in as well — makes the photos look very flattering," says Katie Coyne, 24, from New York.

She'd bought a digital camera for a safari vacation but lately has lent it to her younger sister, Gwen Coyne, who lives in Philadelphia. They both find the vintage blur refreshing in the sea of hyper-sharp smartphone photos.

"I feel like iPhone cameras look just so ... sometimes it looks a little too real," says Gwen. She recently brought the digicam on a trip, where she photographed palm trees against the sky and the ocean. "And I don't really know how to put it into words, but it gave such a vacation vibe."

The sisters think that for the vast majority of people on social media, the digicam is purely a trendy aesthetic. First came the 1970s-style Instagram filters, then the revival of Polaroid-style photos, now this.

But for many people, it's also a rebellion against their smartphones.

Part of the great disconnection

Christina Berkett, 34, has been carrying her point-and-shoot to avoid her phone.

"I think you get caught up in the digital world, where — OK, I'm pulling out my phone to take a photo and then I see a notification or I'm checking my email," says Berkett, from New Jersey.

And with a digital camera? "You put it in your bag, you don't think about it, and then at the end of the night, you go through all the photos and kind of relive that moment."

This makes the digicam trend a small part of a growing movement of people un-phoning or de-phoning their lives. Camp Snap's George sees it as an analog reboot after decades of internet-connected everything, from watches to washing machines. eBay told NPR that it's seeing a surge of searches for old-school tech like iPods, CDs and Walkmans.

Berkett, who's a wedding photographer, says couples are printing real-world photo albums. They still request iPhone video footage for social media content, but many also pay extra for her to film ceremonies or speeches with an old-school camcorder — like she's someone's aunt, just a guest.

"They want it to feel like it's a home video," Berkett says. "I don't think they want something that's grainy. I think they want something to feel real."

She does hold the camcorder differently from how her parents once did when they made home videos. The device sits on her palm flipped to its side, so that the video Berkett films is vertical rather than horizontal — because most people will still watch it on their smartphone.

Explore LA

LA opera meets LA soccer

James Conlon chats to grand-nephew Sebastian

Adolfo Guzman-Lopez is an arts and general assignment reporter on LAist's Explore LA team.

Published July 19, 2026 5:00 AM

A split screen shows a young light skinned man on the left hand side wearing a bright yellow soccer player's kit; on the right hand side an older light skinned man is wearing a black polo neck sweater.

Sebastian Conlon, left, the grand-nephew of James Conlon

(

Bonnie Perkinson

Courtesy LA Galaxy

)

Topline:

Maestro James Conlon leaves the LA Opera after 20 years as its music director as his grand-nephew Sebastian Conlon arrives as a recently-drafted goalkeeper for LA Galaxy. We got them together in the midst of their busy schedules for a conversation about passion, performance, and what L.A. can offer.

Why it matters: The Conlons are uncle and grand-nephew about 50 years apart. James is a much-loved fixture in L.A.; Sebastian is just starting his relationship with the city.

Why now: James Conlon stepped down as LA Opera music director in April. His grand-nephew Sebastian Conlon was drafted by the LA Galaxy out of college last year.

Go deeper: The L.A. Philharmonic names a new music director.

For a few brief months earlier this year two Conlons graced the stages of L.A.’s two great arts and entertainment institutions: the LA Opera and the LA Galaxy.

“It's so funny to see that, as I come in you're leaving,” said Sebastian Conlon to his great-uncle James Conlon on a conference call set up by LAist last week.

Sebastian was drafted last year by the LA Galaxy from the University of Kentucky and moved to the LA area in January. Three months later, in April, his great-uncle James Conlon waved his baton for the last time as music director of the LA Opera, a post he’d held for 20 years.

“Since [Sebastian has] been here, we've tried to see each other, tried to have him come over to the house,” James Conlon said.

“I wanted to get to a game. He wanted to get to an opera. None of it ever happened because he's so busy and I've been so busy, as always,” he said.

And now the elder Conlon has put many of his belongings in storage and is moving to New York, although he intends to keep a connection to L.A.

The conversation had equal parts family reunion across generations and a heartfelt discussion that led both Conlons to find common ground in what may be seen as wildly disparate professions.

United in passion

Sebastian grew up hearing stories from his grandfather of James Conlon’s conducting in Italy, Germany, Chicago, and L.A.

“My grandfather is Uncle Jimmy's brother,” Sebastian said.

“Yes, my family calls me Jimmy," James acknowledged. "And they're not only allowed to, they're supposed to.”

“I actually hated being called Jimmy when I was a kid, but I couldn't do anything about it… when I finally grew to a certain age I became professionally known as James,” he said.

Sebastian grew up in the Washington D.C. area and rose through the ranks of college soccer, finally arriving in L.A. as a goalkeeper. He’s in his early 20s. His uncle James Conlon, who grew up in New York, is in his mid-70s.

As they chatted, they realized there were several things they had in common. They’d both been very focused on their current professions from an early age and were united through the passion for what they do. Both carry out their work in full public display.

“We're on a stage doing something that is connecting with other people. And you, Sebastian, are in a highly popular art form,” James said.

A male presenting person at a podium in front of a crowd of many people.

Sebastian agreed with the description. “There's nothing that tops the feeling of being on a field, on a seven o’clock game, and you have 4,000 or 5,000 fans screaming your name and chanting," he said.

“I think that's one way to put us together: it's just that love for what we do and sharing that love to other people.”

Ironically, both have felt soccer fans’ passion first-hand.

“I was conducting in Paris in the opera the night that France won the World Cup [in 1998],” James said. “I could remember the screaming from outside the theater was so loud that we knew that France had won. I mean, that's a night I'd never forget."

L.A. advice

The intensity of practice for the Galaxy, L.A.’s most successful Major League Soccer team, has not allowed Sebastian to see much of L.A. since he got here. When he asked his great-uncle for recommendations for places to eat, James suggested the city's Italian restaurants, which, he said, reminded him of his Italian grandmother.

A light skinned male presenting person looks to the right. He wears a blue soccer team jersey and goal keeper gloves.

But he encouraged him to roam and experience all the city has to offer.

"The kind of energy that I found in L.A. is a similar energy to what I found in my native city, New York, but also cities I have lived in or spent time in, like Paris, London, Madrid and Rome," James said.

"I don't think you'll ever be bored here, Sebastian, never. I mean, 20 years, I wasn't bored for one minute. Loved it all," he said.

Both Conlons agreed to finally make an IRL meeting happen as the elder Conlon steps into the next stage in his professional classical music career, and the younger Conlon carries out his work on the MLS team.

Sebastian will now also have the responsibility of holding up the family name in L.A. as his great-uncle has done for two decades.

Explore LA

Korean gift-wrapping

Free bojagi classes at LA Public Library

By Angela Kim

Published July 19, 2026 5:00 AM

Three gifts wrapped in the traditional art form of bojagi.

Three gifts wrapped in the traditional Korean art form of bojagi.

(

Angela Kim

LAist

)

Topline:

Gift-gifting is a sign of respect, admiration and gratitude. In Korean culture, traditional gift-wrapping — or bojagi — is just as important a gesture. One Korean American artist in Los Angeles is sharing the gift of this artform in a series of free classes this month.

What is it? Bojagi is both the name of the technique and the name of the square piece of cloth used.

The backstory: The artform goes back centuries, popular across society from the royal courts to regular people, according to the Embroiderers’ Guild of America. And bojagi wasn’t just used for gifts, but for carrying goods, packing food or other household items.

Why now: The L.A. Public Library is offering free classes every Monday in July. The remaining dates have just sold out, but more are planned for the future.

Gift-gifting is a sign of respect, admiration and gratitude. In Korean culture, traditional gift-wrapping — or bojagi — is just as important a gesture. One Korean American artist in Los Angeles is sharing the gift of this artform in free classes this month.

Bojagi is both the name of the technique and the name of the square piece of cloth used. The artform goes back centuries, popular across society from the royal courts to regular people, according to the Embroiderers’ Guild of America. And bojagi wasn’t just used for gifts, but for carrying goods, packing food or other household items.

“In Korea we didn’t have luggage-type of carriers when Westerners had it. So, people just used a big piece of fabric and wrapped up things when they go travel,” said Ellen Lee, an L.A. based bojagi artist.

A brass bowl wrapped in a delicate lacy cloth.

Even as the artform evolves, its meaning has stayed the same.

“In Korea, people believe when you wrap something with bojagi, we really, truly believe we put our loving and caring heart in there too,” Lee said.

On Mondays this month, Lee is teaching free bojagi workshops at the Pio Pico Koreatown branch of Los Angeles Public Library. This series of workshops has just sold-out, but a waitlist is open, and plans are in the works for her to conduct these bring these workshops back to the library in the future.

Two beautifully gift-wrapped packages stacked on top of one another.

Learning the craft

Lee moved to Los Angeles in 2000 from South Korea, and after college, returned to the country to learn the art of bojagi.

In 2019, she moved back to Southern California start her private workshops and online business, Nossi. Lee has also been using her skills to wrap gifts for businesses and Korean American celebrities.

Lee acknowledges that all cultures have their own gift-wrapping traditions and meanings. She said she is most appreciative of the art form’s tactile quality. “Wrapping up something precious with fabric can be just human natural love language,” she said.

How to sign up for free classes

Nossi Bojagi Korean Wrapping
Where: Los Angeles Public Library, Pio Pico Koreatown Branch
When: Mondays, July 20 and 27
Free but sold out — the waitlist is open, and you can check the LAPL events page for future workshop dates.

A gift in and of itself

The technique is sustainable — not only could the cloth be reused, it’s a keepsake in and of itself. “When you give a gift, when you wrap the gift with bojagi, the whole thing can be a gift. You don’t waste anything,” Lee said. The wrapping can be used again for another gift, a keepsake or even a handkerchief.

In her workshops, Lee touches on some Korean history to Korean Americans and non-Korean participants, like the different techniques used by the royal court from centuries ago.

A gift wrap bowl done in a floral pattern.

The hydrangea (suguk) knot in bojagi.

(

Angela Kim

LAist

)

A gift wrapped with a cloth in the traditional Korean style of bojagi. The gift is next to other Korean artifacts.

A bojagi sculpture made by Lew.

(

Angela Kim

LAist

)

There isn’t just one bojagi way to wrap. It’s dozens of ways. The most popular ones are named after nature like the hydrangea (suguk) knot and lotus (yeonkkot) knot. Historically, the bojagi fabric was made of natural materials such as hemp or silk. Today, people also use synthetic fibers like polyester.

No matter what, it’s a tradition that has endured.

“In Korea, people believe when you wrap something with bojagi, we really, truly believe we put our loving and caring heart in there too,” Lee said.

Hey, LA listener!

The Brief

1939

Theme: "Golden Memories"

1946

Theme: "Victory, Unity & Peace"

1960

Theme: "Tall Tales and True"

1975

Theme: "Heritage of America"

1982

Theme: "Friends And Neighbors"

1990

Theme: "A World of Harmony"

1996

Theme: "Kids' Laughter & Dreams"

1997

Theme: "Life's Shining Moments"

1999

Theme: "Echoes of the Century"

2000

Theme: "Celebrate 2000: Visions of the Future"

2002

Theme: "Good Times"

2005

Theme: "Celebrate Family"

2006

Theme: "It's Magical"

2009

Theme: "Hats Off to Entertainment"

2010

Theme: 2010: A Cut Above the Rest

2011

Theme: Building Dreams, Friendship & Memories

2012

Theme: "Just Imagine..."

2014

Theme: "Dreams Come True"

2016

Theme: "Find Your Adventure"

2017

Theme: "Echoes of Success"

2018

Theme: "Making a Difference"

2019

Theme: "The Melody of Life"

2020

Theme: “The Power of Hope”

2022

Theme: "Dream. Believe. Achieve."

2023

Theme: "Turning the Corner"

2024

Theme: "Celebrating a World of Music: The Universal Language"

2025

Theme: "Best Day Ever!"

2026

Theme: "The Magic in Teamwork"

A fresh look in the sea of smartphone photos

Part of the great disconnection

Keep up with LAist.

United in passion

L.A. advice

Learning the craft

How to sign up for free classes

A gift in and of itself