Rose Parade Cancelled for 2021

Members of the East Jackson High School Trojan Marching Band participate in the 2019 Rose Parade.  JTV photo.

(March 17, 2021 11:16 AM) The Jackson County Rose Festival today announced the decision to cancel this year’s Jackson Country Rose Parade.  In a statement, the Rose Festival Board Chairman Jim Francis said, “As we all try our best to follow the guidelines to limit the spread of the COVID 19 virus it has become apparent that creating a situation that may gather large groups of people together is not in the best interest of our community.  After discussions with local officials and taking into consideration state guidelines that limit the amount of people at an outdoor gathering we feel this is the only resolution.”

In 2020, the Rose Parade was among the long list of community events cancelled due to the pandemic.

The Rose Parade typically requires a large group of volunteers to handle the advance work of organizing the parade months in advance.  Logistically the Rose Festival has not been able to gather a large enough group of volunteers to do the work of organizing the parade. This lack of volunteers and the costs and the hours of work that must occur cannot be coordinated in time for the parade.

The Rose Festival said they were committed to continuing the 60+ year tradition of the Rose Parade.  The Festival encourages members of the community who want to participate or volunteer in the 2022 Rose Parade to contact Jim Francis at jamesfrancis3666@yahoo.com. 

Francis said, “Volunteers are the key to making sure we can continue this tradition.  In addition, to help defray all of the costs associated with the parade, we are always in need of sponsors.”