Al Roker, Hoda Kotb to host Rose Parade in Pasadena

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif., Nov. 22 (UPI) -- Al Roker of the "Today" show and Hoda Kotb are to anchor NBC's coverage of the 125th Rose Parade in Pasadena, Calif., Jan. 1, the network announced.

This will be Roker's 17th year as host of the popular annual event, and the first year for Kotb, a co-host of the fourth hour of the network's "Today" show.

"NBC has been broadcasting the New Year's Day parade for 87 years, beginning on radio in 1927 and then televising the event beginning in 1954," the network said in a news release Thursday. "The Rose Parade is the most popular New Year's Day celebration in the world, and this year's theme will be 'Dreams Come True.' The parade will feature 44 lavish floral floats, including one celebrating NBC's hit series 'The Voice.'"

Famed Los Angeles Dodgers broadcaster Vin Scully is to serve as grand marshal of the parade.