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2018 rose bowl parade
2018 Rose Bowl Parade
January 2018
Amelia Pinto, Co-Editor in Chief,
Katie Evenfield, Co-Editor in Chief
As the one hundred and twelfth Rose Parade turns around the corner, we reflect on the process that has gone into making these gorgeous floats that showcase the agricultural beauty of our California (and all around the globe) flowers. The Rose Parade is famous worldwide, and a variety of diverse people come from all around the world to watch the procession. The 10,000 pounds of flowers brighten up the streets of Pasadena with color and light. In honor of all the amazing individuals and groups around the world that are changing our future, the parade theme was “Making a Difference”.
In 2010, over 51.9 million Americans watched the annual Tournament of Roses. 700,000 of which, watched the parade in person. Every year about 500,000 tourists come from around the world to watch Pasadena’s famous line-up. John Grant, a returning volunteer at the Rose Parade, mentions that this New Years parade is one of the most well known around the world.
As for the floats, there’s a lot of work that goes into the 44 featured in the Rose Parade. There are 10,000 pounds of floral arrangements used in total, that’s over 18 million individual flowers used in decorating. Besides all the organic material, there’s a lot of equipment that’s used in the floats. This includes 300 tons of steel, 70,000 square feet of plywood, 225,000 square feet of chicken wire, 350,000 square feet of aluminum screen, 14 tons of plastic foam, 8,000 gallons of glue, and 30,000 watts for sound power. Singpoli American BD’s “Rise Above” float was decorated from parsley, corn meal, split pea, nigella, lentils, cranberry seeds, corn husk, rice, seaweed, coconut, millet, and ground walnut. In addition to the countless supplies used on the floats, there are 16,000 - 18,000 floral volunteers each year.
January 2018
Amelia Pinto, Co-Editor in Chief,
Katie Evenfield, Co-Editor in Chief
As the one hundred and twelfth Rose Parade turns around the corner, we reflect on the process that has gone into making these gorgeous floats that showcase the agricultural beauty of our California (and all around the globe) flowers. The Rose Parade is famous worldwide, and a variety of diverse people come from all around the world to watch the procession. The 10,000 pounds of flowers brighten up the streets of Pasadena with color and light. In honor of all the amazing individuals and groups around the world that are changing our future, the parade theme was “Making a Difference”.
In 2010, over 51.9 million Americans watched the annual Tournament of Roses. 700,000 of which, watched the parade in person. Every year about 500,000 tourists come from around the world to watch Pasadena’s famous line-up. John Grant, a returning volunteer at the Rose Parade, mentions that this New Years parade is one of the most well known around the world.
As for the floats, there’s a lot of work that goes into the 44 featured in the Rose Parade. There are 10,000 pounds of floral arrangements used in total, that’s over 18 million individual flowers used in decorating. Besides all the organic material, there’s a lot of equipment that’s used in the floats. This includes 300 tons of steel, 70,000 square feet of plywood, 225,000 square feet of chicken wire, 350,000 square feet of aluminum screen, 14 tons of plastic foam, 8,000 gallons of glue, and 30,000 watts for sound power. Singpoli American BD’s “Rise Above” float was decorated from parsley, corn meal, split pea, nigella, lentils, cranberry seeds, corn husk, rice, seaweed, coconut, millet, and ground walnut. In addition to the countless supplies used on the floats, there are 16,000 - 18,000 floral volunteers each year.
In spite of our sunny California weather, rain seems to threaten the Rose Parade each year. Regardless of the cold, cloudy, weather, celebrating its 129th anniversary, it has only really rained ten times during the parade. The LA Times puts it at these 10 dates, 1895, 1899, 1906, 1910, 1916, 1922, 1934, 1937, 1955 and 2006. Float designers always hope for clear weather, but back-up plans do exist if the April showers decide to show up early.
This year, several different float winner have been showcased in the parade, including Trader Joe’s “Hat’s Off” float, the UPS’ “Bringing Books to Life”, the “Dreams Take Flight” float from Cal Poly, Amazon Prime’s “Make Your Own Momentum”, “The Gift of Time” from Donate Life, and floats to represent five nearby cities: South Pasadena, Downey, Burbank, La Canada, and Sierra Madre. This is only few compared to the 44 floats that make up the two hour spectacular.
The Donate Life Organization presented their float with a meaningful message- Those that have donated organs, tissues, hearts, eyes, and other life saving contributions can change someone’s life. An act of kindness when you have no more use for an organ, can save up to eight people. Their float is made up of a 12 foot Aztec calendar surrounded by 15 feet Macaw parrots. Circling the Mayan tradition are faces of donors to the program, ranging from kids to grandparents. The calendar is decorated by ground walnut shell, sesame seeds, and caraway seeds.
This year, Cal Poly returned to the Rose Parade, with their iconic float “Dreams Take Flight” made entirely by students. The float featured animals in small airplanes, to represent dreams coming true. The float got a lot of attention with it’s positive message, and even won the Past President Award. The volunteers worked with white beans, lima beans, marigold, tea leaf, blue iris, and carnations. At the tour, a sign encouraged visitors to share photos of the worked on float. Cal Poly plans to return in future years, so keep an eye out in 2019.
Amazon Prime celebrated its first year in the Rose Parade with a very unique float. This is the first float in the history of the Rose Parade, to be completely human-powered. That means no hidden vehicles, and no propulsion equipment except for push bars to control the wheels. The float broke another record, for being the first with multiple parts. Amazon’s creation featured three larger-than-life wheels to be moved altogether. In the light of Amazon’s participation, Prime broadcasted live footage of the Parade, featuring Will Ferrell and Molly Shannon commentating on the ceremony.
However, the Rose Parade is not only about floats. 20 Marching bands stepped to the beat around the 5.5 mile route in the 67 degree weather. Bands from Australia, Japan, Canada, and Republic of Panamá (as well as several from the United States) bring groups of 100-300 people- from young kids to adults- playing various instruments. Songs range from old classics, to new modern songs, both bringing the crowd to their feet. These musicians practice for hours on day and compete with over 50 other bands that plan to march in the parade. According to the LA Times, the most popular song played throughout the past Rose Parades is “Everything’s Coming Up Roses” by Ethel Merman. The familiar anthem has been played several times of the course of the years.
Gary Sinise, well known actor and veteran supporter, was named 2018’s Grand Marshall.
The 62 year old announced, “It is an absolute honor and thrill to be the 2018 Grand Marshall for the Rose Parade. I feel blessed that I’ve been able to take this success I’ve had in the movie and television business and to do something positive with it, to make a difference in the lives of our veterans. So, if by shining a little spot light on me on January 1st, can shine a spotlight on them to help me make a difference in their lives, I am very grateful to do that.” Isabella Marie Marez, La Salle High School Senior, was named the 2018 Rose Queen on October 18. This marks the 100th year of the Rose Court, commemorating Hallie Woods, the first Rose Queen. More than 1,100 people try out to be in the Rose Court each year. These young women represent not only their schools and families, but their community. |
There’s a lot of crowds gravitating towards the Rose Bowl on New Years Day, but it’s not all about the Rose Parade. The first Rose Bowl Game was in 1902, which means that it has existed for just over 116 years! This year the Oklahoma Sooners played against the Georgia Bulldogs, and there were lots of disappointed fans out in the bleachers when the Bulldogs were victorious.
We were lucky enough to get the chance to go on a VIP tour of the floats pre parade at the Rose Mount Pavillion. There, John Grant, a white-suiter for the parade, led us around the making of several different floats. Many of these were volunteer decorated by hundreds of people that come out to the parade to fill vials of flowers, or to glue on finishing touches. Whatever their job may be, it all comes together to make a difference on the street.
Within the year, designs will be drawn, flowers will be grown, and people will start lining up to wait for the 130th Annual Rose Parade. Although the parade has been going on for nearly thirteen decades, the excitement and awe of the varying, unique, breathtaking, and magical floats come alive every year. The parade brings spirit and voice into streets of Pasadena, and represents culture and togetherness in the community.
For full list of float winners, go to the Tournament of Roses’ Website: Link
We were lucky enough to get the chance to go on a VIP tour of the floats pre parade at the Rose Mount Pavillion. There, John Grant, a white-suiter for the parade, led us around the making of several different floats. Many of these were volunteer decorated by hundreds of people that come out to the parade to fill vials of flowers, or to glue on finishing touches. Whatever their job may be, it all comes together to make a difference on the street.
Within the year, designs will be drawn, flowers will be grown, and people will start lining up to wait for the 130th Annual Rose Parade. Although the parade has been going on for nearly thirteen decades, the excitement and awe of the varying, unique, breathtaking, and magical floats come alive every year. The parade brings spirit and voice into streets of Pasadena, and represents culture and togetherness in the community.
For full list of float winners, go to the Tournament of Roses’ Website: Link