It’s official–the Grand Marshal of the 2013 Rose Parade® is world-renowned primatologist, conservationist and author Dr. Jane Goodall! Dr. Goodall is the founder of the Jane Goodall Institute, and of the worldwide environmental and humanitarian youth program, Roots and Shoots. According to Tournament of Roses® officials, 2013 will be the 53rd anniversary of Dr. Goodall’s field study of the Gombe chimpanzees–and what their ways could tell us about humans.
During a press conference at Tournament House on April 25th, London-born Dr. Goodall told reporters that she had actually never heard of the Rose Parade® until she received a call notifying her that she had been selected as Grand Marshal for 2013. The early selection is due to her schedule, and based on the time she was able to come to Southern California for the announcement. During the conversation, Dr. Goodall explained that her constant traveling companion–a stuffed toy monkey named “Mr. H.,” would be riding with her in the parade on New Year’s Day, 2013.