Are You Ready for the Biggest and Longest-Running Black History Parade in CA

A previous Pasadena Black History Parade (Photo – blogs.wf.com)

Pasadena’s 37th annual Black History Parade and Festival will take place on Saturday, February 16 from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.

Kaj Goldberg, KTLA weatherman and Pasadena resident, will be the Grand Marshal of the biggest and longest-running black history parades in California. More than 80 entries will be featured in the parade, with participants traveling from as far as Bakersfield and San Diego. This year’s theme is “For the Culture – Celebrating Our Excellence.”

What to expect

• The Wilson Middle School Drum Corps
• Miss Black Pasadena
• The Wells Fargo Stage Coach
• Buffalo Soldiers
• The Pasadena City College Band and Herald Trumpeters
• Celebrity guests including actors Jackie Long and Chantal Lashon, former NBA player Chris Mills, guest appearances by cheerleaders from the Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Lakers, hip-hop artist Yo-Yo and local R&B group Troop.
• Plus a trove of musicians, dancers, equestrians, local youth groups, dignitaries, community leaders, and vintage and custom cars.

The route

The parade begins at 10 a.m. at Metropolitan Baptist Church on Fair Oaks Avenue and Figueroa Street in Altadena; then heads south on Fair Oaks Avenue before ending at Pasadena’s Robinson Park, 1081 N. Fair Oaks Ave., where the festival takes place from noon to 4 p.m. on the north side of the park. The newly renovated, state-of-the-art Robinson Park Recreation Center will be open during the festival as well.

Parade dignitaries include Community Grand Marshal Betty J. Ford, an accomplished musician and poet, and Youth Grand Marshal Ashley Symone Hackett, member of the Tournament of Roses 2019 Royal Court. Donnetha A. Wallace, teacher and community leader, and Denise Houlemard-Jones, community advocate and businesswoman, are this year’s Community Service Award winners and will be celebrated in the parade as well.

Festival

Immediately after the parade, a festival will commence (and end at 4:00 pm). It will feature live entertainment for all ages, food for purchase, meet-and-greet with Miss Black Pasadena, the Power 106 Street Team, free informational booths and a children’s zone jam-packed with fun, free activities, and food for purchase. Also, there will be a Historically Black College and University (HBCU) College Fair feautring the “Divine Nine,” a network of African American fraternities and sororities.

If you happen to miss the parade (and you shouldn’t) it will air on both KPAS, the City government TV station, and Arroyo, the Pasadena community public channel (check broadcast times).

Free parking will be provided on a first-come, first served basis at Calvary Christian Methodist Episcopal Church (135 Glorieta St., Pasadena). Arrive early and plan accordingly.

> Check the entire Black History Month festivities here.