Slideshow: Tournament of Roses Parade 2010 (Rose Parade photos, full videos)

The nation welcomed the New Year with the annual Tournament of Rose Parade 2010 (otherwise known as the Rose Parade) in Pasadena, California today. Below you'll find  photos from the parade in a slideshow, as well as video footage from this morning’s festivities.

The first Tournament of Roses Parade was held on January 1, 1890 in Pasadena; today’s parade marked the 121st display of flowers, horses, marching bands and pageantry. This year’s parade’s theme was “A Cut Above the Rest.” Following the Tournament of Roses Parade is the annual Rose Bowl football game. The Rose Bowl football game will begin at 2:10 p.m. PT and 5:10 p.m. ET. The game will be shown on ABC and ESPN radio; the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Oregon Ducks will be playing.

The first Rose Bowl college football game was played in 1902 as a way to cover the cost of the parade. The Rose Parade is held every January 1st unless New Year falls on a Sunday. If that should occur, the parade is postponed until the following Monday. Today’s parade was met with beautiful, sunny weather and featured a true hero: Captain Chesley B. Sullenberger ‘Sully’ who is hailed a hero after singlehandedly steering a US Airways plane into the Hudson River and saving the lives of those on board.

The theme focused on honoring and recognizing everyday heroes, and the choice of Sully did not go without notice. 2009 had been a difficult year for many, and everyone agrees that the Hudson River miracle was one of the most uplifting events that transpired. The Tournament of Roses Parade was broadcast live on ABC, the Hallmark Channel, HGTV, KTLA, NBC, RFD-TV, Univision, and the Travel Channel.

 Rose Parade Full Videos

Part 1