Sunday, January 1, 2012

Preserving Paradise Float - Rose Parade Behind the Scenes Peek!

Watching the Rose Parade on tv has been a tradition in our our ever since I was a little girl.    I never thought I'd have the chance to participate and peek behind the scenes of what goes in to float building, so when we were invited to Family and Friends Day at the Dole Preserving Paradise Float, I was beyond excited!

Last year the Dole Float won the Sweepstakes award for it's Float "Living Well in Paradise" and this year's float "Preserving Paradise" is set to be another contender this year.  "Preserving Paradise" was designed by renowned float designer Raul Rodriguez.  Much to our excitement he was at the Dole Family and Friends Day with his Blue Hyacinth Macaw, Sebastian.  You may recognize the gorgeous bird as the inspiration for Blue from the recent movie Rio.   

Some fun fast facts I learned during the day:

  • Float Design starts is some cases only a few short weeks after the Rose Parade.
  • Design pieces are frequently re-used as different elements on floats year after year.
  • The Floats are built in refrigerated warehouses to preserve the flowers.
  • The structures are built color coded weeks (sometime earlier) before the parade, but the actual flowers and other natural elements aren't added on to the floats until about 3-4 days before the parade.
  • At Fiesta Floats (where the Dole Preserving Paradise Float was built) there are a number of other well known floats being built simultaneously.

This year's Preserving Paradise Float will contain over 1,000 gallons of recycled water in three cascading waterfalls and 24 Thai Dancers.  The float will contain hot pink and orange roses, yellow and white chrysanthemums, kumquats, cranberries, limes and lemons.  The elephants will be covered in ming moss. 

When you watch see if you can find the palm fronds I covered in dried sage (I believe)!
Floats will be on display after the Rose Parade January 2nd through January 3rd.  Call (626) 795-4171 for ticket information.

3 comments:

chell January 9, 2012 at 3:03 PM  

I so want to do this!!! I have to do it next year!!! Love the pictures.

Caryn B. January 9, 2012 at 5:04 PM  

I have ALWAYS wanted to do this. It looks like so much fun. I've heard it's cold to preserve the flowers...is that true?

Liz January 10, 2012 at 9:26 AM  

I did this last year. I had a wonderful time.

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