San Gabriel Valley : Kermit Leaps Into Grand Marshal’s Seat
Kermit the Frog will preside over New Year’s Day festivities in Pasadena, making the fuzzy amphibian the first non-human grand marshal of the Rose Parade, officials said Thursday.
The green Muppet will leap into a seat previously occupied by former grand marshals Dwight D. Eisenhower, Bob Hope, William Shatner, Walter Disney and Hank Aaron.
The theme of the 1996 parade is “Kids’ Laughter and Dreams,” and who better represents that than Kermit, who has made a career out of making children laugh and encouraging their dreams,” said Tournament of Roses President W.H. (Bud) Griest Jr.
In choosing the “Sesame Street” puppet character, the tournament is honoring the memory of his creator, the late Jim Henson, Griest said.
About 450 million people in more than 90 countries are expected to watch live or on television as Kermit and dozens of decorated floats head down Pasadena’s Colorado Boulevard.
As for Kermit’s thoughts on being chosen for the honor? “Our dreams really do come true,” the Muppet mused at a press conference.
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