Two of the most significant holiday events of the year, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and the Rose Bowl Parade, will feature prominent Louisiana artists. Trombone Shorty and his band Orleans Avenue will heat up NYC aboard the “Celebration Gator” November 24, in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Then, on January 2, Louisiana will join the Rose Bowl Parade in a riverboat float followed by Country Music Association Award winner and Louisiana native Lainey Wilson performing mid-parade for millions of viewers.
“We’re excited to return to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and the Rose Parade to showcase all the ways you can Feed Your Soul in Louisiana [“Feed Your Soul” is the Louisiana Office of Tourism’s Louisiana Travel slogan]. All of our riders are an excellent representation of the celebratory spirit of Louisiana,” said Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser, “We love a parade in Louisiana and we will be kicking off carnival season a few days early on January 2 when our float rolls through the streets of Pasadena.”
Presented by Louisiana Travel, the float—dubbed Feed Your Soul—will be part of the Rose Parade through Pasadena, CA. The float will decorated entirely with flowers, leaves, and seeds. Rose Parade riders include a former patient of the Shriners Hospital in Shreveport and 20 Louisiana festival queens from around the state. A New Year’s Day tradition nationwide, the Rose Parade theme for 2023 is “Turning the Corner.”
“It is thrilling to be joined this year by our sponsors and to host these 20 Louisiana queens aboard the Louisiana float,” said Lt. Governor Nungesser, “All our efforts in the travel and tourism industry in Louisiana are focused on working with our local partners to drive visitation to every corner of the state. As I always say, if you can eat it, shoot it [!], catch it, or dance to it, we name a festival after it in Louisiana. This year’s riders are wonderful stewards of our festivals and culture, but also outstanding members of their community that demonstrate the welcoming and neighborly nature of Louisianans.”
