Pasadena's 30th Annual Black History Parade and Festival, Saturday, February 18, reached back to its roots to feature as its grand marshal both noted community members and local Southern California celebrities.
This year's community grand marshals included three of the founders of the parade: past Jackie Robinson Community Center director Gene Stevenson, Carolyn Jones and Hamp Morris. Joining them is Brandilyn Amie, the Pasadena Community Access Corporation parade announcer, and on-site parade announcer Roland Bynum.
A team of familiar news anchors from KTLA Channel 5 and film actor Willard Pugh were chosen as the 2012 parade's celebrity grand marshals. Former KTLA anchor Walter Richards and current anchors Michaela Pereira and Gayle Anderson joined Pugh, familiar to many for his roles in the movies The Color Purple and Air Force One, among many others.
With the theme, "Looking Back and Remembering: We've Come A Mighty Long Way," the parade celebrated the achievements and contributions of African Americans to American society. And in this 30th anniversary year, the parade and festival celebrated itself and its place among Pasadena's community traditions.
The parade route followed the traditional start location at Charles White Park in Altadena and traveled south on Fair Oaks to Robinson Park, in Pasadena, where there was a festival featuring a youth area, entertainment, vendor booths, food and more.
For 30 years, the city of Pasadena has taken the lead role in organizing Black History Month activities. The city's Human Services and Recreation Department and Jackie Robinson Community Center are major sponsors along with Wells Fargo, MillerCoors and Pasadena Community Access Corporation.
For more information call (626) 744-7333.
