Costa Rican band prepares for 2020 Rose Parade in Pasadena, California

The traditional Rose Parade in Pasadena, Calif. will once again have a Tico flair.

The 250 members of the Municipal Band of Zarcero (BMZ) will represent Costa Rica and Latin America during the 131st edition of the Rose Parade, which begins at 8 a.m. local time on Jan. 1, 2020.

“In Pasadena we will present Costa Rican music and also the rich Latin flavor with great joy,” said Elesban Rodríguez, director and founder of the Municipal Band of Zarcero, in a statement. “We want to show that Costa Ricans, and in general Latin Americans, are cheerful, jovial.

“That is what we want to show the international community and the public in Pasadena: the joy of being Costa Rican.” 

Fittingly, their performance will be called “Somos Costa Rica,” or “We are Costa Rica.”

“We want to share our essence with the public, but especially with the Costa Rican brothers who will observe us on national soil, as well as with those based in the United States,” Rodríguez said. “We are Costa Rican and we are proud of our culture, our music, our traditions, and that is the message we want to convey: that we are proud to be Costa Rican.” 

The parade precedes the Rose Bowl, among the most important college football games of the year (and the oldest ongoing bowl game). The Rose Parade was first held in 1890.

Last year, Costa Rica’s Banda Municipal de Acosta performed in the 130th iteration of the parade.

During the 2020 Parade of the Roses, the Municipal Band of Zarcero will perform in the 39th spot, which means it will be featured approximately halfway through the parade.

You can watch the broadcast on Jan. 1, 2020 via the Municipal Band of Zarcero Facebook, as well as on national television channels.