Thursday, February 15, 2018

Black History Parade Rolls from Altadena to Pasadena This Saturday, followed by Festival

Pasadena’s festive Black History Parade will blare, beat, thunder, dance, march and roll down Fair Oaks Avenue from Charles White Park in Altadena all the way down an afternoon Festival at Pasadena’s Robinson Park morning, February 17, under what forecasters predict will be 78-degree, sunny blue skies.

The enjoyable community event parades an outpouring of local school and civic organizations, city officials and political represents, bands and performers in colorful costumes celebrating Black History Month.

Traditionally families, groups of teenagers, and kids in wagons and on bikes line Fair Oaks Avenue to take in what has become one of Southern California’s largest Black History parades.

This 36th Parade kicks off at 10 a.m., the Festival at 12 noon, and all the events are free to attend. The Festival features live bands, dance performances, community booths, guests speakers, food to purchase and plenty of fun.

The Grand Marshals this year are Ishmael Trone and Nicole Benard. Also being honored are Community Service Awards recipients Ted Bates, Lynette West-Cater, George McGrudder, Darryl Qualls, and Rodney Wallace.

Councilmember Tyron Hampton recently characterized the Parade as “the culmination of all events taking place during Black History Month for the public to seize the opportunity to celebrate the accomplishments their local African Americans have made in the black history of Pasadena.”

The Parade starts at 10 a.m. on Fair Oaks Avenue and Mountain View Street in Altadena. The Festival starts at noon at Robinson Park at 1081 North Fair Oaks Avenue, Pasadena.