2018 Dec 3 Rose Parade Floats

On Saturday, 3 days before the Parade, we got to see 6 of the 40 floats under construction.  Everything on the floats have to be covered with some kind of plant material.  A lot of it can be done ahead of time if they are using seeds or something else that won't wilt, but the flowers have to be done at the last minute.  Most of the flowers are in water vials and stuck into areas that's like a thick sponge.

Each float had a painting done so that the workers and those of us just paying to experience this part of the float making could see what the finished product would look like.

These volunteers in white suits were very knowledgeable about these floats.  This man was volunteering for the 8th Rose Parade.  The committee in charge of volunteers tries to rotate them so that they do different jobs every year.  I believe I heard there were 900 of these volunteers, but many more from schools.
Below is a 1940 Lincoln Mark I.  This Lincoln Mark I is one of 54 that were produced that year in a concept developed by Edsel Ford. The Rose Bowl Hall of Fame Class of 2018, George Halas, Randall McDaniel, Pop Warner and Vince Young rode in it during the parade


Fun seeing this Blue Diamond Almond float being built.  It will have 18,000 roses, 12,000 statice blossoms, 7,000 carnations, 2,000 mum blooms and 500 ti leaves.  Additionally, the float includes almond by products such as almond shells and hulls.


Chipotle Mexican Grill float.  It's mission "to cultivate a better world."  Chipotle uses only 51 ingredients, from the farm to your table.  Many of these ingredients including avocados, black beans, brown rice, cilantro, lemons, pinto beans, romaine lettuce where used on the float.

These girls were so cute.  In order to be selected as a volunteer, they had to have good grades and be recommended by their school counselor.  They were so happy to be working at this event.

24 Hour Fitness float.  It was so huge, the main figure could not be lifted to it's full height in this building.
Below is the Cal Poly Universities' float.  "Far Out Frequencies", Over 90% of the flowers are California grown.  The majority of floral materials come from donations or are grown on the Cal Poly campuses.  
Below charts showing the workers what plant materials to use on each object.





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