RUM's Centenaria Banda Colegial returns to the Pasadena Rose Parade in January 2028

The Centenaria Banda Colegial and its Flag Bearers (Abanderadas) from the University of Puerto Rico's Mayaguez Campus (RUM) have been selected to march in the January 2028 edition of the Rose Parade in Pasadena, California, the campus confirmed on September 25, 2026 ¹. It would be the group's second time on that stage, after making history on January 1, 2020, when it became the first Puerto Rican university band ever to march in the event ¹².

Background

The news arrives in the middle of RUM's 115th anniversary commemoration — the campus was founded on September 23, 1911 — and the Banda Colegial's own 112th anniversary, having been founded in 1914 ¹³. The announcement was made official by RUM's interim chancellor, Dr. Miguel A. Munoz, and welcomed by UPR system president Dr. Zayira Jordan Conde as part of the campus's anniversary activities ¹². Band director Prof. Lester Perez Flores called the invitation "an extraordinary honor for our group," adding that returning to Pasadena "gives us a new opportunity to proudly represent the College, the University of Puerto Rico, and our country" ¹². President Jordan Conde said the participation "constitutes a source of pride for the entire University of Puerto Rico," since it showcases student talent to an international audience and projects the quality of the university's education abroad ².

The Rose Parade, broadcast worldwide every January 1, is one of the most coveted marching-band stages on the planet; the 2028 invitation places RUM again among a select group of international collegiate ensembles that perform along the Pasadena parade route ¹³.

The numbers

• 1911: the year RUM was founded; the campus is celebrating its 115th anniversary in 2026 ¹³.
• 1914: the year the Banda Colegial was founded, marking 112 years of history ¹³.
• 98,133: professionals RUM has graduated throughout its history, per institutional figures cited in the announcement ¹.
• 117 members: the band currently consists of 98 musicians and 19 flag bearers ⁴.
• January 1, 2020: date of the band's first and only previous Rose Parade appearance, the milestone that made it the first Puerto Rican university band in the event ¹².
• January 2028: the confirmed date for the Banda Colegial's second Pasadena appearance ¹²³.
• The announcement was released between September 23 and 25, 2026, coinciding with the campus's anniversary week ¹³.

What this means for you

For families in Mayaguez and western Puerto Rico, the news is an immediate source of pride — but also a concrete opportunity: the 2020 trip was largely funded through donations and fundraising activities from the university community and alumni, and everything points to a similar effort being needed to cover travel, lodging, and logistics for more than 100 students on the road to 2028 ¹⁴. If you have a child interested in joining the Banda Colegial, this two-years-ahead announcement gives real lead time to prepare academically and musically before the next RUM admission auditions. For alumni and Mayaguez businesses, it also opens a window for sponsorships and visibility tied to an event of international reach.

How to do it / Checklist

1. Follow RUM's official pages (uprm.edu/portada) and the Banda Colegial's channels for fundraising dates and community activities on the road to 2028 ¹⁴.
2. If your child plays an instrument or wants to be a flag bearer, contact RUM's Dean of Students office or the Band and Orchestra office to learn admission and audition requirements well ahead of the 2027-2028 school year ⁴.
3. Consider donating or arranging a sponsorship through the official fundraising channels the campus announces, since these trips have historically depended on support from alumni and local businesses.
4. Mark your calendar for the Rose Parade broadcast every January 1 to follow Puerto Rico's participation once the final 2028 itinerary is confirmed.
5. Share the news on social media with the campus's official hashtag to help amplify this student achievement.

What's next

RUM has not yet released a budget or specific fundraising plan for the 2028 trip; those details are expected in the coming months as the parade date approaches ¹. University administration indicated the participation is part of the campus's 115th-anniversary celebrations, so more related announcements are expected throughout the 2026-2027 academic year ¹³.

Sources

1. University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez Campus — "La Centenaria Banda Colegial regresara al Desfile de las Rosas de Pasadena en 2028"
2. NotiCel — "La Centenaria Banda Colegial regresara al Desfile de las Rosas de Pasadena en 2028"
3. Semanario Vision — "La Centenaria Banda Colegial regresara al Desfile de las Rosas de Pasadena en 2028"
4. RUM — Resena de la Centenaria Banda Colegial del RUM