FFA president to be part of parade

Freedom New Mexico

New Mexico State FFA President Ryan Best, an Elida native, is to participate in the 121st Tournament of Roses Parade Jan. 1 in Pasadena, Calif., as part of the first-ever national FFA organization’s float in the event, according to a news release.

Best, along with FFA presidents from all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, will carry the state flag and march with the 75-foot float, according to the release. He is also set to help decorate the FFA float and take part in numerous events surrounding the Rose Bowl football game.

According to the release, Best is also scheduled to appear in a one-hour television special, the “Making of the FFA Float,” which will precede RFD-TV’s “live” coverage hosted by Crook & Chase on New Year’s morning. RFD-TV expects to then repeat the entire three-hour broadcast after the end of the Rose Parade.