Performers from Canada are seen during the 124th Annual Rose Parade in Pasadena, California, the United States, Jan. 1, 2013. (Xinhua/Yang Lei)

This year saw more international participation. China Airlines from China's Taiwan sent its float "Cycling Through Paradise," and won the International Award.

The float looks very attractive with a pagoda as the main scene and red-crowned crane to demonstrate the beauty of Taiwan's tourist attractions. This is the 27th year that China Airlines has sent float to the parade.

China's Beijing No. 57 High School has sent 99 students to joint the Valley Christian High School band in San Jose, California, for the parade. The Chinese costume and Chinese style flag waving and performance won applauses along the route. It is the first time Chinese students came for a Rose Parade band.

This year's parade theme is "Oh, the Places You'll Go!" and the parade was proceeded with a wedding on top of a float, a little boy reunited with his father returning from military service in Afghanistan, and a bat-winged Stealth Bomber flyby over the sky.

Famed chimpanzee researcher Jane Goodall served as grand marshal.

It was highlighted by a young couple pronounced "husband and wife'' in front of the grandstands and on national television.

Nicole and Gerald from Chesapeake, Virginia, were aboard Farmers Insurance's "The Love Float" to become the first people married during the Rose Parade.

The parade was proceeded without major trouble. Pasadena police reported no major problems. A total of 22 people had been arrested along the parade route since 6 p.m. Monday evening (0200 GMT, Tuesday), and the police said it was normal.