- American Idol Season 23 winner Jamal Roberts will provide a special performance atop the Magnolia State’s float.
Visit Mississippi announced Tuesday that the Magnolia State will once again have a presence in the Rose Parade on New Year’s Day.
It will mark Mississippi’s third consecutive appearance in the Pasadena celebration.
“Mississippi: Where Hospitality is Always on the Menu” is the theme for this year’s float. Organizers say they want to invite millions of viewers to experience the warmth, flavor and unmistakable spirit of the Magnolia State.
The culinary-themed float designed and fabricated by Artistic Entertainment Services transforms the parade route into an outdoor gathering place, celebrating the moments that make Mississippi a destination worth savoring, Visit Mississippi said. From fresh Gulf seafood and lush landscapes to legendary hospitality, the float will showcase a place where there is always room at the table.
At the heart of the float is the Mississippi Café, a welcoming open-air dining experience beneath a sprawling magnolia tree. Guests gathered around the table will enjoy local fare alongside a special performance from Mississippian and American Idol Season 23 winner Jamal Roberts.
The setting is surrounded by elements that tell the story of Mississippi’s diverse landscape and culinary heritage. A lighthouse and fresh Gulf seafood evoke the state’s coastal shores, while flowing fresh and salt waterways, native flora, and local produce create a vibrant visual journey throughout the state.
The 2027 Rose Parade will take place on January 1, 2027.
