Award-winning filmmaker Ken Burns, whose documentaries include a series about America's national parks, was today was named the grand marshal of the 2016 Rose Parade, themed "Find Your Adventure."
"I'm honored to share that I have been selected as the grand marshal of the 2016 Rose Parade in recognition of the centennial of the National Park Service," Burns said in a speech posted on YouTube.
"As an honorary park ranger, I couldn't be prouder, and I encourage everyone, especially children, to get out and find your park," he said.
Burns told the history of the country's national parks in the 2009 series, "The National Parks: America's Best Idea," which PBS will rebroadcast in April.
"Our national parks belong to all of us. They are part of our heritage and our future," he said.
"Every journey starts with a step, and I am pleased to see the Tournament of Roses celebrate the beauty and imagination that are embodied in our parks."
The 62-year-old, Brooklyn-born documentarian said he "would never have imagined getting to attend" the New Year's Day parade and Rose Bowl Game as grand marshal. He said he has never been to the parade in person.
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It is such an honor. It is, after all, America's New Year celebration," he said.
Pasadena Tournament of Roses President Mike Matthiessen said Burns was a great fit for this year's theme, which is the result of a unique partnership between the Tournament of Roses and the U.S. National Park Service.
"We're so honored to have someone like Ken, who has devoted his life to telling the story of America, lead the Rose Parade ...," he said.
Burns is known for his style of using archival footage and photographs in his documentaries, characterized by slowly zooming in and panning to subjects of interest in what's been deemed "The Ken Burns Effect."
The 14-time Emmy and two-time Grammy award winner, who's also notched two Oscar nominations, has made films for PBS on such subjects as the Civil War, baseball, jazz, the Statue of Liberty, Frank Lloyd Wright, Mark Twain, Huey Long, Lewis & Clark and the Roosevelts.
Burns' next film, "Jackie Robinson," made with his daughter Sarah and her husband, will air on PBS over two days in April. He has projects in the works on the Vietnam War, the history of country music, Ernest Hemingway and the history of stand-up comedy.
