The 130th Rose Parade presented by Honda, themed "The Melody of Life," will take place on Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2019 in Pasadena, Calif., and feature spirited marching bands from throughout the nation, high-stepping equestrian units, and majestic floral floats. Lutheran Hour Ministries will once again have a float entry in the parade, this year under the theme of "Joy to the World, the Lord is Come".
Thanks to the International Lutheran Laymen's League's Southern California District, the LHM float is a 69-year tradition in the longstanding New Year's event, carrying on a mission to provide a Gospel witness to viewers everywhere, from the parade route along Pasadena's Colorado Boulevard to televisions all over the world. The float serves as the only Christian witness in the parade. The Tournament of Roses Parade is watched live on television by approximately 40 million Americans and by tens of millions more in countries around the world.
This year's LHM float will feature a huge page of sheet music, large musical instruments and bells, a choir, and a manger scene. One of the riders on the float will be the new speaker of The Lutheran Hour radio program, the Rev. Dr. Michael Zeigler.
"We pray that by God's grace, this float will provide a powerful Christian witness and the message of hope in Jesus Christ to those who view it in person or through the media," says Dick Gast, co-chair of the Petal Pushers and general chair of the LHM Float Committee.
Please invite your friends, relatives, and neighbors to watch for the LHM float during television coverage that begins at 8 a.m. Pacific Time on Jan. 1. While the Tournament of Roses Parade is carried on most network channels, the LHM float is not guaranteed coverage due to commercials and/or other TV commitments. For best viewing of the parade, HGTV shows the parade in its entirety on cable television. The LHM float is scheduled for the 61st spot among 91 units, so it should appear on camera about two-thirds of the way through the two-hour parade.