​​The oldest self-built float in the rose parade

Spark of Imagination
​Construction Chair: Rob Benjamin & Steve Fillingham
Decoration Chair: Janet Benjamin
Concept By: Scott Fieldman
Design Artist: Richard Carlow & Matthew L. McCoy Propulsion: Two 5.7 liter Chevrolet powerplant engines fueled by clean burning propane ​Power: Hydrostatic drive, closed system

The 2023 entry highlights the imagination and creativity of children but with a twist, mice! The float depicts winners of the science fair, a crazy house with spinning gears and the goof clock on the house has hands that are spinning out of control. Several types of bark (eucalyptus, melaleuca and sycamore), along with sycamore and liquid amber leaves can be found on this colorful and playful float. The float also features fourteen diverse types of roses.

2023


2022


Boogie Fever
​Construction Chair: Rob Benjamin
Decoration Chair: Janet Benjamin
Concept By: Anne Muller
Design Artist: Reneé Hoss-Johnson Propulsion: Two 5.7 liter Chevrolet powerplant engines fueled by clean burning propane ​Power: Hydrostatic drive, closed system

The 2024 entry "depicts five joyful animals holding musical instruments. A smiling giraffe grasps a tambourine in its mouth. An elephant’s trunk has been transformed into a horn instrument. A happy orangutan plays bongo drums while a playful toucan shakes a pair of maracas. A snake is poised to start spinning a record on an old-fashioned player with more vinyl records on deck. They are all on a lush bed of colorful tropical flowers and plants."


Source: The South Pasadenan

2020



Sky's The Limit
​Construction Chair: Joss Rogers
Decoration Chair: Janet Benjamin
Concept By: Brian Ewing
Design Artist: Richard Carlow & Louis Pecci
Propulsion: Two 5.7 liter Chevrolet powerplant engines fueled by clean burning propane
​Power: Hydrostatic drive, closed system

"The goal behind this entry is to promote community spirit and volunteerism. It features Theodore the ostrich jumping off the top of a mountain believing he can fly, all the while receiving encouragement from other ostriches. 150,000 flowers went into the making of this float, including black and grey buffalo grass, pampas grass and corn husks (legs and feet) for the, let’s say, here-to-fore flightless birds, assuming Theodore succeeds. Pine cones and liquid amber pods, collected by the community, decorate the mountain and deck sides."

Source: Pasadena Star News

2024



Victory At Last
​Construction Chair: 
Decoration Chair: 
Propulsion: Two 5.7 liter Chevrolet powerplant engines fueled by clean burning propane
​Power: Hydrostatic drive, closed system

"South Pasadena, whose entries date back to 1893, was the first to honor the centennial, with a float designed by Mike Mera. The entry features the hat popular with suffragettes, a boater in purple and decorated with feathers and flowers and a campaign button. It leans against a ballot box, while the scroll of the 19th Amendment sits in front. A large jewel in the purple and green of the movement represents a secret sign women had for others who supported their rights."

Source: The Rose Examiner