SCOTTSDALE, AZ (May 20, 2025) – Leading into the 2025-26 College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl, the 53rd annual Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade presented by Lerner & Rowe will open the week's festivities on Saturday, January 3, 2026.

The Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade presented by Lerner & Rowe, a 1.5-mile march through Central Phoenix, will once again be nestled in the heart of Bowl Season. Held days after the Rate Bowl in downtown Phoenix, the Fiesta Bowl Parade will drum up excitement for the CFP Semifinal at the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl on January 8, with its traditional pageantry that attendees have grown to love for more than 50 years.

"Having the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade presented by Lerner & Rowe as a lead-in to the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl elevates both events and invites the community to join in a celebration of the best time of the year – the college football postseason!" said Fiesta Sports Foundation Executive Director & CEO Erik Moses. "The Fiesta Bowl Parade is produced by our community, for our community and is made up of members from our community. The parade's quality continues to elevate, with more enhancements to come, and we invite community groups, institutions, companies and citizens to take an active role as participants to create lifelong memories."
 
Interested community groups and participants may apply for entry into this year's Parade here, while marching bands should access their application here. Applications for all entries must be submitted by Friday, September 12, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. MST.

Additionally, for those interested in supporting the parade or learning more about partnership opportunities, please reach out to Parade@fiestabowl.org.

"The Fiesta Bowl Parade has become the highlight of the year for Lerner & Rowe staff and volunteers! As a brand proudly rooted in Phoenix tradition, we love seeing how the Fiesta Sports Foundation brings the community together in such a fun and powerful way," said Lerner & Rowe Co-Founder/Partner Kevin Rowe. "Every year, the team continues to raise the bar, delivering an event that's more impressive, exciting and inspiring than the last. The natural synergies between Lerner & Rowe Gives Back and the Fiesta Sports Foundation are evident in our shared year-round dedication to uplifting Arizonans through impactful programs, community support and a passion for making a difference."

Each year, more than 3,000 men, women, children and animals participate in the Fiesta Bowl Parade, one of Arizona's most beloved holiday traditions, which is free of charge for all attendees. The Parade features larger-than-life balloons, elaborate floats, marching bands, friendly animals, community groups and more.

Coronado High School claimed the award for top marching band in the 2024 Fiesta Bowl Parade, followed by Marcos De Niza High School and Vista Grande High School. Other 2024 award winners included Superior Dance Company (Best Costume Design), Corona del Sol Steel Band (Best Musical Performance Award) and Ballet Folklorico De Santa Maria (Crowd Favorite Award).

The six 2024 award winners were among the engaging entries that continue to elevate the viewing experience along the Fiesta Bowl Parade route. Fans will also continue to see new floats and balloons this season that will create unforgettable memories for even the most veteran parade attendees.

For those unable to enjoy the 2025-26 Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade presented by Lerner & Rowe in person, the Parade will be broadcast live on Arizona's Family 3TV, Arizona's Family Sports Network and across its digital platforms.

This year's Grand Marshal and special guests will be announced in the fall. Anthony Robles, former Arizona State University wrestler and 2011 NCAA Wrestling Champion, served as Grand Marshal in 2024. He joined an esteemed list of past Grand Marshals that includes Charles Barkley, Jerry Colangelo, Alice Cooper, Richard Jefferson, Randy Johnson, Al McCoy, Jake Plummer, Kerri Strug, Diana Taurasi and more.

For more information about the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade presented by Lerner & Rowe and the application process, please visit www.FiestaSportsFoundation.org/Parade.

Ticket deposits for the CFP Semifinal at the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl and Rate Bowl – Bowl Season's only Big 12 vs. Big Ten matchup – can be placed by visiting www.FiestaBowl.org/tickets or contacting the ticket office at tickets@fiestabowl.org.

ABOUT FIESTA SPORTS FOUNDATION
Since its inception in 1971, the Fiesta Sports Foundation has been a world-class community organization that executes innovative experiences, drives economic growth and champions charitable causes, inspiring pride in all Arizonans during and outside of college football bowl season. As a nonprofit organization, it is driven by its vision to create unforgettable experiences through world-class sporting events, unparalleled hospitality and life-changing community impact. Through the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl, Rate Bowl and its year-round events, including the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade presented by Lerner & Rowe, corporate partnerships and numerous community events throughout the year, the Foundation provides charitable resources to support Arizona nonprofit organizations that serve communities through a focus on youth, sports and education. Learn more at www.FiestaSportsFoundation.org and @Fiesta_Bowl on X/Instagram.

ABOUT LERNER & ROWE INJURY ATTORNEYS
Attorneys Glen Lerner and Kevin Rowe have grown Lerner and Rowe Injury Attorneys into one of the largest personal injury firms in the country with 11 locations just in Arizona, over 60 total attorneys, and more than 450 total support staff. The law firm's continuous exalted levels of success can be attributed to the high levels of respect and dignity shown to victims and family members hurt in an accident. Further, the firm takes pride in nourishing these relationships as they know a personal injury attorney can make all the difference in obtaining fair compensation for the pain and suffering inflicted upon the victims of tortious conduct. Learn more about the firm and the many other community services they support at LernerAndRowe.com, LernerAndRoweGivesBack.com, and @LernerAndRowe on Instagram.