Just an hour before the 2025 Rose Parade began on Wednesday morning, Mayor Samantha Smith of Guanajuato, Mexico, presented the Rose Court and local officials will gifts and an open invitation to visit Guanajuato at their convenience.
At the Tournament House, Rose Queen Lindsay Charles was set to receive official scarves and a pin, and the Queen and whole court received an invitation to visit Guanajuato anytime they want), according to Rene Gonzalez, chair of Guanajuato Proposed Affiliation Group, which is spearheading the efforts to establish a sister city relationship between Pasadena and Guanajuato.
This symbolic gesture serves as an apology for the Guanajuato Queen’s absence from this year’s parade.
Guanajuato Queen Liz Ayala, a student from University of Guanajuato who is serving as a cultural ambassador for the city, was originally scheduled to meet with Rose Queen Lindsay Charles during the Rose Parade but will not attend due to personal reasons.
In her absence, Smith delivered the gifts on her behalf. The Guanajuato Queen expressed her regret. She also said she looks forward to coming in 2025 and meeting the Rose Court in person, Gonzalez said.