When I was a kid, the Rose Parade was a New Year’s Day staple in our lives. While black-eyed peas bubbled away on the stove, the Rose Parade played on the living room TV. Because we were poor, we had a color television. Poor people will do without certain basic necessities, but they will not abide a black-and-white TV.
Anyhoo, each New Year’s Day would find me watching the parade for a while, then I’d take a break, come back later and watch some more. It always looked sunny in that faraway place called “Pasadena,” on the other side of the continent. And though I didn’t quite understand the ramifications of the floats being covered entirely in organic materials, I did get that those floats were special.
I’ve lived in Southern California for a looooong time now, and I’ve not gone to the Rose Parade a single time. But this past week, I did go check out a float. And it was pretty flippin’ cool.
This year’s Rose Parade theme was “Oh, the Places You’ll Go!” As in Dr. Seuss, thank-you-very-much. The city of Burbank won the Fantasy Trophy for their amazing entry, “Deep Sea Adventures.”
Flowers, seeds, nuts, beans, grasses, fruits, fungi, grains, roots – the volunteers who put this float together used a crazy array of living and organic materials to assemble this gi-normous award winner. (It’s 22 feet high, 20 feet wide and 50 feet long!)
Each and every flower is inserted into its own water vial before being attached to the float!
This octopus’ suction cups were made by inserting lotus pods into portobello mushroom cups. Wha?
This is where the float’s driver sat. That driver moved the float down the 5+ mile route – slowly. I guess patience really is a virtue.
The float was beautiful. Crazy. Cool. Fragrant! I’m so glad I went to see it.
The Rose Parade is still a staple on New Year’s Day. As the black-eyed peas bubble away on the stove each January 1st, I still watch a little of the parade, then take a break, then come back and watch some more. I am now duly impressed by the time, work and creativity that goes into each and every float.
And as I watch the Rose Parade each year, I still marvel at how sunny it looks in Pasadena. Which is just down the road…
I am glad you enjoyed the float. I designed the float and Burbank Tournament of Roses Assoc did a great job turning the design into the finished product. Richard.
Great job, Richard! The float was beautiful, whimsical and fun. I’m so grateful to folks like you who share their creativity with the world!
I am very glad you enjoyed our hard work, I am the Decorations Chairperson along with my committee picked the materials, colors and figured the quantity needed ro cover it. I was also very pleased to have Chef Ray Duey carve fruits and vegetables that were on the float. Please come back and visit anytime and hopefully work on our float some year.
Most Sincerely,
Linda Cozakos
I more than enjoyed it – I flipped my doodle over it! Your group has a history of very impressive floats and I am so happy I’ve been able to enjoy them over the years. Seeing this one up close and personal was such a treat! Keep up the great work, Linda. And thanks for getting in touch!