Tournament of Roses Seeks New Volunteers for 2027 Parade

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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. The sessions are set for February 18 and February 28, 2026 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.

Why it matters

The Tournament of Roses relies on a dedicated volunteer force of over 80,000 hours each year to plan and execute the iconic New Year's Day events that draw a worldwide television audience. As the organization enters a new era, recruiting new volunteers is crucial to maintaining the parade's long-standing traditions and community involvement.

The details

Volunteer members, known as White Suiters for the distinctive white suits they wear on parade day, are assigned to one of the organization's 30 committees with duties ranging from selecting parade participants to serving food to band members. New members should expect to spend about 40 hours per year on committee work, mostly during the last few weeks of each year, and must be available to volunteer on and around January 1 and to attend committee meetings throughout the year.

• The recruitment orientations are scheduled for February 18 and February 28, 2026.
• Terry Madigan took office as the new Tournament of Roses President on January 15, 2026.
• The 137th Rose Parade on January 1, 2026 was the first wet parade in 20 years.

What they’re saying

What’s next

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