News Flash

Lorraine Hansen booked the bands adding music and fun to Rose Parade

For more than three decades, Roseville resident Lorraine Hansen worked behind the scenes to weave more melody and movement into Rosefest’s Annual Rose Parade. 

Hansen served as the parade’s volunteer marching band coordinator from 1991 to 2023. Under her direction, the number of marching high school bands grew from two to more than a dozen.  This year, Lorraine will step into the spotlight as one of the 2024 Rose Parade Grand Marshals. 

Hansen retired as the marching band coordinator last year, passing the baton to her daughter. She said the best part of the role was the people she met along the way. 

“I really like working with the kids,” she said. “It’s really a big undertaking from them. The kids have to memorize everything including the music and the marches. They work very hard.” 

Hansen recalls how she got started: Two women city council members asked Lorraine to take over as band coordinator. They knew Lorraine, a payroll manager, was organized and results orientated. She obtained a list of all high school marching bands and began reaching out. 

Soon, bands from across Minnesota were marching in the Rose Parade. 

“My highest year, I had 17 bands,” she said. On parade days, Hansen said she was busy from 9 in the morning until 11 at night. 

The bands compete for awards, with band members’ friends and family lining the parade route to cheer them on. The Roseville VFW provides a meal afterward to the students. Lorraine said some of the bands’ above-and-beyond theatrics were her favorite memories..

“The Litchfield marching band had a big teacup on wheels. When the band passed the judges, the teapot lid popped off, and out came a trumpeter playing a solo,” Hansen recalled. “They have wonderful players in that band.” 

Thank you, Ms. Hansen and Mr. Brokke for your service and dedication to Roseville! 

Lonnie Brokke devoted his career to Roseville Parks

Retired Roseville Parks and Recreation Director Lonnie Brokke dedicated 32 years of service to our community. 

Brokke helped maintain and grow Roseville’s nationally recognized parks system, which includes 32 greenspaces that span nearly 700 acres. Brokke retired in 2022, but he’ll return to carry out one more task.  

Lonnie, accompanied by his grandchildren, will serve as one of the 2024 Rose Parade Grand Marshals. 

"Lonnie Brokke's dedication to our city is incredible. Our recreation programs and services are second-to-none, because of his leadership" said Roseville City Manager Pat Trudgeon when Lonnie retired. 

Brokke began his job with Roseville in 1990 as Roseville’s Park and Recreation Assistant Director and was promoted to Parks and Recreation Director in 2002.  

During his tenure, Brokke has made several notable accomplishments, from the construction, maintenance, and repair of the Guidant John Rose Minnesota OVAL to building one of the premier park and recreation agencies in the nation. Brokke led the City of Roseville's Park and Recreation Department through the successful implementation of the current Parks and Recreation System Master Plan and subsequent implementation of the Park and Recreation Renewal Program.