Mississippi will be on full display during one of the most popular New Year’s Day celebrations.
Officials with Visit Mississippi recently announced that the Magnolia State will have a float featured in the upcoming Tournament of Roses, commonly referred to as the Rose Parade, on Jan. 1, 2025. Titled “Birthplace of America’s Music,” the float will pay homage to Mississippi’s music history with Elvis Presley and B.B. King tributes serving as centerpieces.
“Mississippi’s contribution to American culture and music is unparalleled, and being part of the Rose Parade offers a unique opportunity to showcase the heritage to the 850,000 parade attendees and millions of viewers around the country,” Gov. Tate Reeves said. “The float not only celebrates the musical legacy of Elvis Presley and B.B. King but also honors Mississippi’s role in shaping America’s history and sound.”
Indeed, Mississippi has helped shape America’s music. Not only is Mississippi considered ground zero for the blues, dating back to Robert Johnson’s storied run-in with the devil himself, but it also has more Grammy winners per capita than any other state in the U.S.
If you need further confirmation of how Mississippi blues played into modern-day music, just ask Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones. The English guitarist famously said, “If you don’t know the blues…there’s no point in picking up the guitar and playing rock and roll or any other form of popular music.”
Showcasing the lore of Mississippi music on a national stage is more than well-deserved, according to Visit Mississippi director Rochelle Hicks. She hopes the further exposure will lead people from across the country to visit historical sites such as Grammy Museum Mississippi in Cleveland, the Delta Blues Museum in Clarksdale, and even the Mississippi Blues and Country Music Trails which go all the way from Byhalia to Biloxi with nearly 250 sites encompassing the history and legacy of local musicians.
“The Tournament of Roses is one of America’s most cherished traditions, capturing the hearts of millions each New Year,” Hicks said. “As we celebrate Mississippi’s impact on American music, culture, and history, there’s no better platform than the Rose Parade to tell our story. This event provides a unique opportunity to reach a global audience and spark interest in visiting the birthplace of America’s music.”
Mississippi’s float in the Rose Parade will be aligned with the parade theme of “Best Day Ever” and promises to guide viewers on a visual journey through the state’s musical impact. Current acts complementing the float with live performances will include country trio Chapel Hart, Elvis Presley tribute artist Brandon Bennett, and Jackson State University’s marching band, Sonic Boom of the South.
“We are so excited to have the Jackson State University band known by so many as the Sonic Boom of the South march in Pasadena for the 136th Rose Parade on January 1, 2025. The parade and Jackson State share a legacy of music excellence and tradition,” Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade President Ed Morales said before an April trip to Mississippi’s capital city. “Together with the world, we will look forward to celebrating the ‘Best Day Ever’ on January 1.”
The 2025 Rose Parade will begin on New Year’s Day from 10 a.m. to noon CT. Taking a 5.5-mile route down Colorado Boulevard in Pasadena, Calif., the celebration will have around 85 show units participating and be broadcast on ABC and live-streamed here.
