Ex-Laker named Grand Marshal for Date Festival Parade; Planning a tribute to Kobe Bryant

Former UCLA and NBA player Tracy Murray has been named the grand marshal for this year's Riverside County Fair & National Date Festival Presidents' Day Parade.

Murray played college basketball at UCLA from 1989 to 1992, making the Pac-10 all-conference team twice. He was drafted in the first round and enjoyed a 12-year career in the NBA. Know for his sharpshooting from the three-point line, Murray won an NBA championship with the Houston Rockets.

One of the most notable stops in his career was the time he spent with the Los Angeles Lakers during the 2002-2003 season. He played side-by-side with Shaq, Fisher, and of course Kobe Bryant.

Murray is planning to pay tribute to his friend Kobe during the Presidents' Day Parade. The rear of his classic black convertible will display a Mamba flag with numbers 8 & 24 on it, Kobe's famous nickname and numbers.

The parade will start on Monday at 9 a.m. and will run from the intersection of Miles Avenue and Deglet Noor Street in Indio. The parade route then runs south on Oasis Street followed by West on Highway 111, ultimately ending at the intersection of Rubidoux Street and Highway 111.

Murray invites the public to join in.

"It's an honor to be named Grand Marshal of the Riverside County Fair's Presidents' Day Parade," said Murray. "It's also a privilege to also honor the memory of the great Kobe Bryant and recognize the wonderful Lakers organization who both were such an important part of my life and career."

Murray returned to the Lakers in 2015 as an assistant coach and shooting consultant. Then Head Coach (and Laker Legend) Byron Scott described Murray as "one of the purest shooters I've ever seen." He is currently a broadcaster with UCLA and a color commentator on ABC7's "Slamdunk Sundays."

Riverside County Fair & National Date Festival runs from February 14th-23rd in Indio. Gates open at 10 a.m. and close at 10 p.m. You can purchase tickets early and receive them at a discounted price: $10 for adults, $9 for seniors, $8 for youth, $8 for group tickets or bus tours (minimum of 25), and $22 for Unlimited Carnival Ride Wristbands.

For more information, call 800-811.FAIR or visit www.datefest.org where you can buy and print your Fair tickets at home.