FIESTA PARADE FLOATS, DAY 5

And so here we are at day 5, Judging Day.  All of the floats were completed the night before and are ready for the judges to review.  Here are a few images taken before the judging of each float.

Discover's "State Fair"

City of Torrence, California "Afternoon Tea with Friends"

The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation

City of Beverly Hills, California

Cunard Lines

Kaiser Permanente's "Purrfectly Healthy"

Dole's "Living Well in Paradise"

Uno's "Timeless Fun for Everyone"

 

City of Duarte, City of Hope "Living the Healthy Life"

During the hours following judging the floats will be driven to Pasadena, a trip taking many hours since the floats can only go at a max speed of 15 mph.  Each float supervisor will accompany the float to the staging area where they will remain until parade time, guarding the float as well as fixing any problems that may have developed from the long ride over.  The floral crews show up at 4 am to look over the floats, fix any mishaps and wait for the judging results that are announced at the Tournament of Roses house at 6 am.

FIESTA PARADE FLOATS, DAY 4

By day 4 many of the floats are nearing completion.  The "trees" are usually completed by this time, much of the focal florals have been added and most of the botanical applications by volunteer groups have been applied.

Here are a few photos of floats in the final stages of completion.

Over 200 stems of Oncidium, Vanda and James Storey orchids comprise the trees on the Natural Balance float.

A "monkey's eye" view from atop the Dole float.

A close-up look at the details on the Dole Float

This tree on the Dole float was made with Dendrobium, Vanda and Mokara orchids.

As the Cunard Lines float nears completion, decking of blue Iris, Agapanthus and Roses is applied to give the impression of riding the high seas.

A great deal of craftsmanship, skill and perseverance goes into creating specific components such as this magnificent bird on the Dole float.

Every single millimeter of space is applied with botanical material to provide for a for one of this worlds most unique experience's; the Tournament of Roses Parade.

Fiesta Parade Floats, Day 3

As many of the floats are coming to the final stages of being finishing by this time, the media are invited to see the special attractions that make up some of the floats.  For instance, the mascot dogs  made an appearance today on the Natural Balance pet food float.  This year the float contains a long wake boarding area AND a pool!

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 Here is are a couple pictures of the Cunard Lines float being finished.  As you can see, alot of attention is paid to the fine details!

Rear of the Cunard Lines float.

Fiesta Parade Floats Day 2

The process of designing with live botanical materials begins by allocating all of the different material and placing it in separate boxes.  Many of the floats have as a theme; trees and each tree will contain a number of "pads" that will need to have blocks of floral foam soaked and wired onto them.  The botanical material is then inserted into the wet foam and even the pad, depending on whether or not it needs water to survive. 

The following photos were taken of the "Beverly Hills" float and showcase the beautiful orchids involved in creating the trees.

Dendrobium, Mokara and Vanda orchids in shades of purple.

Wiring chicken wire wrapped foam onto a tree "pad".

A group of volunteers is coached on their jobs.