When Mickey Mouse was Grand Marshall of the Tournament of Roses parade

Mickey Mouse has certainly been in his fair share of parades, but most of them have taken place within the confines of a Disney Park.

And then there’s the Tournament of Roses parade, the Pasadena, Calif., event that has been part of “America’s New Year’s celebration” since 1890.

In 2005, Mickey served as Grand Marshal for the parade, promoting both the parade’s theme for the year, “Celebrate Family,” and the 50th anniversary of Disneyland.

At the time, the parade organizers noted that Mickey was “a friend to families around the world.”

The 2005 event wasn’t Mickey’s first Rose Parade. He had ridden in the lead car before — first when Walt Disney himself was Grand Marshal in 1966, and again when Walt’s nephew Roy O. Disney had the honor in 2000.

When Mickey took his place in the lead car, he was only the second fictional character to have the honor of being Grand Marshal; the first was Kermit the Frog in 1996, when the parade’s theme was “Kids, Laughter and Dreams.”

At a ceremony to announce his role in the Rose parade, Mickey said:

“Gosh, it sure is swell be named the Grand Marshal of the Rose Parade and I can’t wait to see everybody on Jan. 1 in Pasadena. It’s a big year for me with big doings for Disneyland’s 50th and all, but being in the Rose Parade is a great way to start the New Year!”

As Grand Marshal, Mickey not only led the parade but tossed the coin before the 91st Rose Bowl Game on Jan. 1, 2005.

The Grand Marshal’s position is typically taken by a certified star — Oscar winners, astronauts, athletes, politicians, and Supreme Court justices all have taken on the role. Mickey followed the Oscar-winning composer John Williams in the role, and was succeeded by Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, who was retiring the year she led the parade.