South Pasadena Tournament of Roses
The oldest self-built float in the rose parade
Three Little BirdsConstruction Chair: Chris Colburn
Decoration Chair: Janet Benjamin
Propulsion: Two 5.7 liter Chevrolet powerplant engines fueled by clean burning propane
Power: Hydrostatic drive, closed system
"Inspired by the Bob Marley song “Three Little Birds,” this float uses 20,000 roses, 15,000 alstroemeria, 4,000 orchids and thousands of other flowers in an arrangement that represents a universal message of optimism — with every sunrise comes a new opportunity to pursue happiness."
Source: Pasadena Star News
Fishing Follies!Construction Chair: Bob Abbey
Decoration Chair: Janet Benjamin
Propulsion: Two 5.7 liter Chevrolet powerplant engines fueled by clean burning propane
Power: Hydrostatic drive, closed system
"Here viewers see a remake of a popular adventure that can occur in almost any national park - the sport of fishing! Mr. Bear and his woodland friends set out for an adventurous day on the stream in search of a fish dinner, when Mr. Bear accidentally hooks a fellow angler by the seat of his pants. Hilarity ensues when Mr. Bear tries to frantically reel in his 'catch' while his animal friends chuckle at the fishing adventure. This is the first time the South Pasadena Tournament of Roses float features waterfalls and a stream with 700 gallons of water circulating through the system. This is quite a feat considering the float concept and construction are handled entirely by volunteers from the City of South Pasadena and surrounding communities."
Source: 2016 Official Tournament of Roses Parade Souvenir Program
Never Give UpConstruction Chair: Paul Abbey
Decoration Chair: Janet Benjamin
Propulsion: Two 5.7 liter Chevrolet powerplant engines fueled by clean burning propane
Power: Hydrostatic drive, closed system
"This year's float, 'Never Give Up,' is a whimsical depiction of the age old Aesop's Fable 'The Hare and the Tortoise.' In front, the perseverant tortoise crossing the finish line to win the race, and greet 2017, while the overconfident hare naps his potential victory away in his hammock. Chosen by the South Pasadena Tournament of Roses Design Committee and featuring 43 different color roses, 'Never Give Up' highlights the perseverance and determination needed to help you achieve your goals."
Source: 2017 Official Tournament of Roses Parade Souvenir Program
Booster ClubConstruction Chair: Chris Colburn
Decoration Chair: Janet Benjamin
Propulsion: Two 5.7 liter Chevrolet powerplant engines fueled by clean burning propane
Power: Hydrostatic drive, closed system
"This South Pasadena Tournament of Roses float honors the members of Booster Clubs all over the U.S. for “Making a Difference” in their efforts to support student athletes. Through their endless hours of fundraising and school support, Booster Clubs provide students the opportunity to be part of a team. By example, they show children that people do care about them and their dreams. The float depicts a group of rambunctious revelers in their vintage roadster on the way to support their team. They are pulling a trailer filled with everything they need, including a grill for a tailgate party and flags to cheer on their team. Among the characters is a Tiger, the South Pasadena High School mascot and an ostrich which has been a symbol of the city dating back to the Cawston Ostrich Farm in 1886. As the roadster travels down Colorado Blvd this rowdy bunch blasts a collegiate fight song, "Spots Song” by Weird Al Yankovic."
Source: 2018 Official Tournament of Roses Parade Souvenir Program
Still Winning!Construction Chair: Bob Abbey
Decoration Chair: Janet Benjamin
Propulsion: Two 5.7 liter Chevrolet powerplant engines fueled by clean burning propane
Power: Hydrostatic drive, closed system
Our theme, “Still Winning!” was selected when an inspiring sketch depicting hope and triumph over breast cancer was submitted. The concept includes a pair of dragon boats racing towards the finish line with the bright pink breast cancer ribbon as a backdrop. Our riders, the Los Angeles Pink Dragons, are the first dragon boat team comprised solely of breast cancer survivors. Founded in 2003, the “Pinks” hail from all over Southern California and boast 37 members that range in age from their 30’s to their 80’s, two of them from right here in South Pasadena.
“Inspiring Stories” is the theme of the parade, and our inspiration was to complete the thought by imagining a hopeful, optimistic reaction to a common human condition: Perseverance and triumph over an often deadly disease process. Viewers will appreciate the notion that hopeful individuals with a positive outlook can team up and make the most of any situation and come out winning, such as when given a cancer diagnosis.
Intergalactic VacationConstruction Chair: Chris Colburn
Decoration Chair: Janet Madrigal
Weight: 30,000 +lbs.
Propulsion: Two 5.7 liter Chevrolet powerplant engines fueled by clean burning propane
Power: Hydrostatic drive, closed system
Who hasn’t dreamed of going to outer space? This float presents a whimsical interpretation of a childhood dream of space travel. A family is posing for a photo opportunity with an alien photographer on a hover board, with the earth in the distant background, while other explorers take in the scenery. The main float is joined by a satellite float representing a 1950’s style rocket ship towing a teardrop trailer. The scene is made of some 20,000 carnations and 15,000 mums, as well as an estimated 1.5 million bougainvillea flowers that were harvested in and around South Pasadena. You read that right…1.5 million! These blooms are used in every form, including whole leaves for petaling, and even in powder form with 100 whole blooms yielding only 1 tablespoon of powdered bougainvillea. Five hundred hand cut and decorated stars and 600 pounds of raw cotton will be used for the base cover on the clouds.
Source: 2014 Official Tournament of Roses Parade Souvenir Program
Sailing the Sea of KnowledgeConstruction Chair: Chris Colburn
Decoration Chair: Julie Smith & Janet Madrigal
Weight: 30,000 +lbs.
Propulsion: Two 5.7 liter Chevrolet powerplant engines fueled by clean burning propane
Power: Hydrostatic drive, closed system
A beautifully decorated Spanish Galleon rises and falls on the ocean of a giant book in this self-built float from the City of South Pasadena. Encouraging viewers to find inspiration in many forms – especially reading – the float takes us on a journey with limitless possibilities. The 300-square feet of the book’s cover are made up of 9,000 voodoo roses, selected for their size and striking orange color. Dried bougainvillea flowers, hand-picked from all over the South Pasadena area, are used for the stained glass windows of the ship. Gerber daisies, tulips, hydrangea, iris, wax flowers and two different types of orchids have also been used to decorate this entry from a “can-do” community that thrives on volunteerism and community spirit as well as activism.
Source: 2013 Official Tournament of Roses Parade Souvenir Program
Backyard AdventureConstruction Chair: Paul Abbey
Decoration Chair: Julie Smith
Weight: 30,000 +lbs.
Propulsion: Two 5.7 liter Chevrolet powerplant engines fueled by clean burning propane
Power: Hydrostatic drive, closed system
The City of South Pasadena recognizes that children are the best at building friendships and memories when imagination comes from play. The oldest self-built float organization in the Rose Parade presents “Backyard Adventure”, a lively scene with six children and their furry friends commandeering a self-made pirate ship. The children have converted their backyard into the high seas with household objects. A box serves as lookout and a weathervane stands in for a parrot. Two satellite ships, fashioned from cardboard and a clothesline, trail alongside the main ship. The community-based volunteer organization ran a community-wide design contest that resulted in a common theme: creative kids making the most of their time using their imaginations. The talented design team combined the best sketches to create the final scene making its way down Colorado Boulevard on New Years Day.
Source: 2011 Official Tournament of Roses Parade Souvenir Program
"Our Kids"Design Concept: Richard Carlow & Eugenia Chen
Design Artwork: Richard Carlow & Eugenia Chen
Construction Chair: Scott Wienke
Decoration Chair: Julie Smith
Weight: 30,000 +lbs.
Propulsion: Two 5.7 liter Chevrolet powerplant engines fueled by clean burning propane
Power: Hydrostatic drive, closed system
The city of South Pasadena celebrates the academic and musical achievements of its youth with the oldest self-built float entry in the Rose Parade, Our Kids. The float’s historic South Pasadena buildings provide a backdrop for the city’s vibrant and talented children. Orchids, mums, gerbera daisies and irises adorn the float’s the float’s structures, which include the South Pasadena Library , the Rialto theater, Historic Route 66 and the Reds Cars of the Pacific Electric Company. The float also uses more than 1,000 pounds of seeds, bean and other dry materials to cover its structures. Cranberry seeds give the historic trolley car its vivid red color. Float riders include the South Pasadena Strings, the country’s youngest orchestra to perform at Carnegie Hall.
When Life Gives You LemonsDesign Concept: Joni Smith Design Artwork: Richard Carlow and Eugenia Chen Construction Chair: Paul Abbey Decoration Chair: Julie Smith & Janet Madrigal Weight: 30,000 +lbs. Propulsion: Two 5.7 liter Chevrolet powerplant engines fueled by clean burning propane Power: Hydrostatic drive, closed system As a city that thrives on community spirit and activism, the city of South Pasadena channels its can-do attitude with its inspirational float entry, “When Life Gives You Lemons.” Aimed at providing an optimistic outlook on life’s most common human condition-unexpected troubles- the oldest self-built float participant presents a depiction of two extra terrestrials that have landed in a lemon of a situation. Unscathed and resourceful, they respond to the misfortune by setting up a lemonade stand. The humorous float features a wide variety of dry materials along with fruits, vegetables, 10,000 roses and 3,000 mums. Dried Lily of the Valley adorned with live flowers create the fanciful bushes found in the lemon grove. Planning for the South Pasadena Rose Parade entry begins 14 months in advance and utilizes an all-volunteer construction and decorating crew.Copyright 2013. South Pasadena Tournament of Roses. All Rights Reserved.