A Historic First on Colorado Boulevard
The 138th annual Rose Parade, scheduled for Jan. 1, 2027, will feature the Pride Bands Alliance, the first all-LGBTQ+ marching band to ever participate in the event, according to the Tournament of Roses. The ensemble, consisting of 340 performers drawn from about 30 community bands across 21 states and Canada, will be the largest LGBTQ+ massed band ever assembled for the parade, the organization said.
The selection was made by Terry Madigan, 61, who serves as president of the Tournament of Roses for the 2027 parade and is the first openly gay man to lead the event in its 138-year history. Madigan, who chose the one-word parade theme "Welcome," said the Pride band was the most natural fit with the theme.
"The theme is all about belonging," Madigan said during an interview on Aug. 18. "I talk about the transitional power of belonging. Everyone needs a support system who accepts them for who they are."
Madigan, who is openly gay, and his husband, Kevin Sommerfield, have visited several community bands sending members to the composite Pride band, witnessing the camaraderie that forms during rehearsals.
"For many, this is a second home for them," Madigan said, adding that band members often say these are the only people outside their family who understand them.
Band Details and Preparation
The Pride Bands Alliance will feature musicians, dancers, flag wavers, and baton twirlers, with members aged 20 to 70. Uniforms are purple and black with a rainbow splash across the front of the jackets. The group's first in-person rehearsal is scheduled for Dec. 27.
David Doan is the president of the Pride Bands Alliance. The band has performed at significant events previously, including at President Barack Obama's inaugurations in January 2009 and 2013.
Preparation has involved significant fundraising and personal expense. The alliance is close to raising $200,000, and each participant will receive a $1,000 grant toward expenses. Even so, the cost per member is estimated at $2,500 to $3,200 plus airfare, with some contributors turning to GoFundMe to cover their costs.
The band's director, Laura Blake, addressed concerns about security and reception, assuring members of their safety, according to Madigan.
A New Chapter in Parade History
Madigan is the third president of the Tournament of Roses to bring a historic first, following Laura Farber, the first Latino president, and Ed Morales, of Mexican descent, who led the 2025 parade, and Gerald Freeny, the first Black president, who served from 2018 to January 2019.