South Dakota to make Rose Parade appearance with float
Travel South Dakota to feature Mount Rushmore, bison and other state landmarks on New Year's Day 2026
South Dakota’s tourism arm will make its second appearance in the Rose Parade, helping to launch the 250th anniversary celebration of the founding of the United States.
On Jan. 1, 2026, South Dakota will roll through Pasadena, California, with a float themed “Carved in Stone; A Legacy of Teamwork,” featuring Mount Rushmore National Memorial as its centerpiece, Travel South Dakota announced Wednesday.
The state’s first Rose Parade appearance came with its 2016 debut. The event, sponsored by Honda, corresponds with the Rose Bowl, one of the most iconic games in college football.
The float will showcase South Dakota’s natural beauty and heritage with nearly 40,000 floral elements, including corn, wheat, sunflowers, rust-colored cornsilk for a bison’s coat and light blue iris petals. It will also highlight thundering bison, the Dignity: of Earth and Sky sculpture and iconic native grasses and flowers.
“As we kick off 2026 and our nation’s 250th birthday, our goal is to showcase the majesty of South Dakota to millions of viewers watching the parade around the world,” said James Hagen, secretary of the South Dakota Department of Tourism. “With our float, we’re highlighting the iconic landmarks that define South Dakota, and sharing some of our hidden treasures that make us an unforgettable destination.”
Nearly 15 million visitors travel to South Dakota each year to see its landmarks, wide-open spaces, agritourism attractions and cities. State officials say the float will celebrate those experiences while introducing the state’s culture, flavors and outdoor adventure to a global audience.
Travel South Dakota plans to extend its presence in Pasadena throughout Decorator’s Week, offering interactive experiences, locally inspired treats and social media opportunities for parade-goers.
The float is being designed and built by Artistic Entertainment Services.
The South Dakota Department of Tourism includes Travel South Dakota and the South Dakota Arts Council and is led by Hagen.
We've got a lot of problems in this state that aren't going to be solved by promoting tourism. I wonder if this is another "Party on, Garth" use of state money. Let's hope our intrepid journalists find out how much this float is costing us and who in state government will be getting paid Pasadena vacations. I also think the state's general waste performance in recent years justifies my cynicism. South Dakota has spent millions on mediocre ad agencies to create some really wretched campaigns that managed to "promote" South Dakota as a national embarrassment.
The designers have omitted representations of East River.