Levardis Robert Martyn Burton Jr. aka LeVar Burton will be doing the coin toss at The Rose Bowl this year. Making the announcement, the Star Trek actor posted the picture of the commemorative coin on Twitter.
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The 133rd edition of the Pasadena, California, tradition – Rose Parade – featured actor Burton as grand marshal, 20 marching bands, 18 equestrian units and dozens of floats reflecting the theme of “Dream. Believe. Achieve.”
The Rose Bowl football game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Utah Utes remained on track despite an explosion of COVID-19 infections in Los Angeles County, where daily new cases topped 27,000 on Friday.
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Burton previously tweeted, “I am thrilled to named Grand Marshall of the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasedena. Thank you Tournament of Roses for this high honor!”
“I come from a family, a home (where) the Tournament of Roses Parade and the Rose Bowl Game to follow has been a part of our family for years and years,” he wrote in his own statement. “Steph and I have continued that tradition…We are over the moon and beyond thrilled to be part of this amazing event.”
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Tournament of Roses President Bob Miller said that the actor-director perfectly epitomizes this year’s theme – ‘Dream. Believe. Achieve.’ “It celebrates education and the determination of those who travel the path from dream to reality.”
The parade drew thousands of fans as usual along its 5.5-mile (8.8-kilometer) route. Many camped out on sidewalks overnight, staking out their spots in the afternoon on New Year’s Eve.
The Tournament of Roses Association said ticketholders for parade bleachers and the Rose Bowl game would be required to show proof of full vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours, and masks would be required for everyone age 2 and up.
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The 2021 Rose Parade was canceled months ahead of time. The Rose Bowl football game was played after being moved to Arlington, Texas.
Previously, the parade was canceled for several years during World War II and the 1942 Rose Bowl game was played in North Carolina after the attack on Pearl Harbor.
With inputs from the Associated Press