Tournament of Roses® President to visit Niceville May 19-23

The 128^th Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association President, Brad Ratliff, will visit the Niceville High School Eagle Pride Band on May 20 to formally welcome the band as one of 20 marching bands chosen to make the historic 5-mile journey down Pasadena’s Colorado Boulevard on January 2, 2017.

As president of the 935 volunteer members of the Tournament of Roses Association, Ratliff will present the Eagle Pride with the traditional Rose Parade flag, which represents the band’s prestigious participation in the 128^th Rose Parade. The annual Rose Parade will spotlight thematically designed floral floats, high-stepping equestrian units and spirited marching bands.

One of the official presidential duties is to visit each local and out-of-state band that will participate in the Rose Parade. The president and his wife Susan will log more than 50,000 miles representing the Tournament of Roses as they visit the hometowns of each band in the United States and foreign countries.

Eagle Pride volunteers and directors have planned a four-day itinerary to introduce the Ratliffs to the enthusiastic community that supports the Eagle Pride’s activities. The couple will have opportunities to meet community members, band students and families, and area leaders as well as enjoying the beautiful Gulf Coast. The public is invited to welcome the president and his wife on Friday, May 20 at “Jazz on the Bayou,” featuring remarks by President Ratliff, music by the NHS jazz bands and dinner at Ernie’s Dockside Café. Barge and dockside seating are available; tickets must be purchased in advance by contacting Stella Verzwyvelt at 850-428-2032 or nhsroses@gmail.com.

Ratliff has been a volunteer member of the Pasadena Tournament of Roses since 1988 and was appointed a chairman in 2004 and a director in 2007. Throughout his extensive Association career, Ratliff served on and chaired various committees including Equestrian, Queen & Court and Services & Properties.  He was elected to the Executive Committee in 2009.

Professionally, Ratliff is a member of the executive management team for Inline Distributing Company headquartered in Sylmar, CA.

Ratliff is a third generation Pasadenan and is a UCLA graduate.  He and his wife, Susan, reside in La Cañada and have two adult children, Christen and Sarah.  He enjoys spending time with Susan, waterskiing, reading, running and hiking.  Ratliff follows in the footsteps of his father, Dick E. Ratliff, who was the Tournament of Roses president of the 110^th Rose Parade and 85^th Rose Bowl Game in 1999.

About the Pasadena Tournament of Roses^®

The Tournament of Roses is a volunteer organization that annually hosts America’s New Year Celebration^® with the Rose Parade^® presented by Honda, the Rose Bowl Game^® presented by Northwestern Mutual and a variety of accompanying events. The Association’s 935 volunteer members will drive the success of 128^th Rose Parade themed “Echoes of Success,” on Monday, January 2, 2017, followed by the 103^rd Rose Bowl Game.  For more information, visit www.tournamentofroses.com and follow on social media: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.

For additional information on the Eagle Pride’s participation in the internationally famous event, please email nhsroses@gmail.com.