Anthony Anderson named Grand Marshal of 2026 Palm Desert Golf Cart Parade
PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) - Anthony Anderson, Emmy- and Golden Globe-nominated actor, producer, television host, and philanthropist, will be the Grand Marshal of the 2026 Palm Desert Golf Cart Parade.
The Palm Desert Golf Cart Parade will take place Sunday, October 25, on El Paseo. Festivities kick off at 8 a.m., the parade is scheduled to start at Noon.
Already no stranger to Palm Desert, Anderson has developed a special connection to the community through his annual Anthony Anderson Celebrity Golf Classic at BIGHORN Golf Club. Now, he will return to Palm Desert to lead one of the city’s most beloved community traditions.
This year’s theme, “Better Together,” with the tagline “Individually Unique. Collectively Unstoppable.” celebrates the people, businesses and organizations that make Palm Desert and the greater Coachella Valley such a special place to live, work and visit.
“We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Anthony Anderson as our Grand Marshal this year,” said Alisa Williams, President/CEO of the Palm Desert Area Chamber of Commerce. “Anthony already has such a wonderful connection to Palm Desert through his Celebrity Golf Classic at BIGHORN and the charitable work he does through that event. We love that he is coming back to our community for a completely different kind of celebration. The Golf Cart Parade is about bringing people together, having fun and celebrating what makes our community special, and Anthony’s energy and personality make him such a great fit for this year’s Better Together theme.”
2026 GRAND MARSHAL — ANTHONY ANDERSON
Anthony Anderson is an Emmy and Golden Globe-nominated actor, producer and television host who starred for eight seasons as Andre “Dre” Johnson in ABC’s multi-award nominated sitcom black-ish, where he also served as executive producer. His performance earned him seven consecutive Emmy nominations for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series, along with three Golden Globe nominations and three Critics Choice nominations. He also received four Emmy nominations as a producer of the series.
Anderson can currently be seen in Chris Rock’s latest directorial feature "MISTY GREEN" which debuted at the 2026 Toronto Film Festival to rave reviews.
Anderson has also partnered with Cedric the Entertainer to launch their own barbecue label, AC Barbeque, and documented their journey to become barbeque masters on the A&E Network unscripted series “Kings of BBQ.” The brand opened its first restaurant in Westfield Century City in 2025 and released its cookbook, AC BBQ The Husky and Handsome Guide to Grilling, published by Simon & Schuster.
His extensive career includes roles in Law & Order, The Shield and All About the Andersons, as well as prominent films including Transformers, The Departed, the Barbershop franchise, Kangaroo Jack, Scary Movie 3 and Me, Myself & Irene.
His hosting credits include the 75th Annual Emmy Awards, To Tell the Truth, We Are Family and The Real Full Monty.
Anderson received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2020 and was named a Disney Legend in 2022, The Walt Disney Company’s highest honor recognizing individuals who have made an extraordinary and integral contribution to the company.
Beyond entertainment, Anderson is an active advocate and philanthropist. His annual Anthony Anderson Celebrity Golf Classic has brought together celebrities, athletes and community supporters in Palm Desert to raise funds for charitable causes, further strengthening his connection to the Coachella Valley.
Anderson will take an active role in this year’s Golf Cart Parade celebration, arriving ahead of the parade to join the festivities on El Paseo. He is scheduled to appear on the Main Stage for brief remarks and spend time meeting paradegoers, signing autographs and posing for photographs with fans.
At noon, Anderson will take his place as Grand Marshal and lead the 2026 Palm Desert Golf Cart Parade along El Paseo.
A FULL DAY OF FUN ON EL PASEO
The Palm Desert Golf Cart Parade is much more than the parade itself, with activities and entertainment planned throughout the morning along El Paseo.
The day kicks off at 8:00 a.m. with the Rotary Pancake Breakfast. Beginning at 9:00 a.m., El Paseo comes alive with the Marketplace, Kids & Family Fun Zone, food trucks, live bands, beer gardens, classic cars, custom golf carts and activities for all ages.
A highlight of this year’s festivities will be the return of the skydivers, sponsored by General Air Conditioning & Plumbing, bringing an exciting aerial element to the celebration before the parade begins.
At 12:00 p.m., the Golf Cart Parade takes center stage as creatively decorated golf carts and floats, local businesses, community organizations, marching and performance groups, classic cars and more make their way along El Paseo.
From creative entries and live entertainment to food, family activities and community spirit, the Palm Desert Golf Cart Parade offers something for everyone.
CELEBRATING COMMUNITY, SENIORS AND VETERANS
The Palm Desert Golf Cart Parade has long been a celebration of community, and special areas along the parade route help make the day accessible and enjoyable for even more residents.
The Auen Foundation Senior Seating Area provides dedicated seating and hospitality for local seniors, while the Mechanic’s Bank Veterans Seating Area gives veterans and active-duty military a special place to enjoy the parade while being recognized for their service.
Families can enjoy the Berger Foundation Kids & Family Fun Zone, filled with activities and entertainment for younger paradegoers, while the Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians VIP Area welcomes special guests and community supporters.
For more information about the 2026 Palm Desert Golf Cart Parade, including parade participation, sponsorship opportunities and event updates, visit the Palm Desert Area Chamber of Commerce website.
