Al Roker, the weather anchor for NBC's "Today," and Hoda Kotb, co-host of "Today's" fourth hour, will co-host NBC's live, high-definition coverage of the "125th Rose Parade" from Pasadena, California, on Wednesday, January 1 (11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. ET/8:30-10:00 a.m. PT).*
This will be Roker's seventeenth year hosting the popular annual event, and the first year for Kotb.
NBC has been broadcasting the New Year's Day parade for 87 years, beginning on radio in 1927 and then televising the event beginning in 1954.
The Rose Parade is the most popular New Year's Day celebration in the world, and this year's theme will be "Dreams Come True." The parade will feature 44 lavish floral floats, including one celebrating NBC's hit series "The Voice." Themed "Singing the Dream," the colorful entry captures the spirit, drama and electrifying thrill of television's #1 singing competition. Iconic set pieces bring "The Voice" experience to life, from the spinning "I Want You" chair and the massive hand grasping the mic, to dazzling adornments like musical notes and beautiful red rays that evoke the show's stage. Dreams really will come true for this season's winner, newly crowned at the live finale on December 17, as they perform an original song from atop the eye-catching float.
Hall of Fame broadcaster Vin Scully, an icon in American sports history and "the voice of the Los Angeles Dodgers" for 64 years, will be the Grand Marshal. He will also narrate the opening of the parade, which highlights great American achievements over the last 125 years, celebrating iconic moments in history like the invention of the Model T, the first Trans-Atlantic flight and Neil Armstrong walking on the moon.
Also featured will be the City of Burbank's "Lights...Camera...Action" float, featuring legendary director, producer, actor and writer Garry Marshall, an eHarmony float featuring multiple Grammy-winning recording artist Natalie Cole singing live, RFD-TV's entry spotlighting Daryl Hall singing "You Make My Dreams Come True" and KC & The Sunshine Band performing on the Stella Rosa Wine float. The star-studded line-up of parade talent will also include the original Harlem Globetrotters.
In addition, the lively event will feature magnificent floats like Donate Life's "Light up the World" entry featuring 30 riders who are organ or tissue transplant recipients, Beverly Hills' colorful centennial float celebrating 100 years as a city, and floral extravaganzas from Dole, China Airlines, Sea World and many more.
Adding to the fun will be 16 high-stepping equestrian teams and 21 incredible marching bands from as far away as Japan and Panama. This year's Rose Queen and her court will also appear.
The Pasadena police department estimates that over 700,000 spectators will line the five-and-a-half mile parade route. Tens of millions of people worldwide watch the telecast every year.
Arthur Forrest is the executive producer and director, Tom Patino is the line producer, Carol Kahl is the supervising producer and Stephanie Prescott is the coordinating producer for Universal Television.
*Most affiliates will also broadcast NBC's optional coverage of the parade from 11:00-11:30 a.m. ET.
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