Thousands of people lined the sidewalks along Fair Oaks Avenue in Pasadena Saturday morning to celebrate the city’s first in-person Black History Parade and Festival since the onset of the pandemic.
The 41st-annual event was dedicated to the late councilmember John J. Kennedy, who unexpectedly died in office last year. More than 90 parade entrants embodied this year’s theme: “Celebrating our Excellence – The Legacy of Councilmember John J. Kennedy.”
After years without the parade, community members were excited to have the event return and said the attendance hasn’t fallen off since the last one. Walking the parade route between Claremont and Mountain streets, it was common to see people try to squeeze by groups only to literally bump into old friends.
“I’ve been seeing people I haven’t seen in years,” said Shamir Sanders. “It’s important for the community to get out and see everyone and come together as a diverse community.
Sanders, 22, came out to support his brother Jesse, one of the directors for Crown City Drumline. Shamir is no stranger to marching in the parade himself, having played alto saxophone and later bass drums for Eliot Arts Magnet and John Muir High School.
Local elected officials like Mayor Victor Gordo and Councilmembers Tyron Hampton, Jess Rivas and Steve Madison were in attendance, as well as state representatives like Rep. Adam Schiff, whose district includes part of Pasadena.
Deanna Johnson was born and raised in Pasadena and with the parade route just minutes from her home, she comes every year for the bands and drill teams.
“It’s literally the one thing we have where you’re going to see everybody that you haven’t seen in years,” Johnson said. “People who moved away come back for it, people put their best clothes on and try to represent the city and the culture.”
L.A. sportscaster and former NFL defensive back Jim Hill was the celebrity grand marshal, while Pasadena natives and presiding Los Angeles…
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