Fab floats
Along with the marching bands, the backbone of any traditional parade is the floats — those elaborate, vehicle-borne exhibits that vividly illustrate the theme of the event or elements of the organizations they represent. The 2011 Rose Parade, with its “Building Dreams, Friendships & Memories” theme, boasts more than 40 floats, including some perennial favorites and at least a dozen debuts. Here are a few to look out for (in the order in which they’ll appear):
ROSE PARADE OPENING SPECTACULAR
PRESENTED BY WELLS FARGO
Entry: “Building Dreams, Friendships & Memories”
As part of the parade’s opening spectacular — which also features performers from Up with People, the El Dorado High School Drum Line and Grand Marshal Paula Deen — this float depicts a giant version of the 2011 Rose Parade poster decorated with flowers (including, of course, roses). The opening sequence culminates with fireworks and confetti bursting from the fairy tale castle on Honda’s “A World of Dreams” float (Parade Order: 3) and Honda’s ASIMO humanoid robot announcing the start of the new year.
FARMERS INSURANCE
Entry: “Dream Machine”
For its 52nd Rose Parade entry, Farmers Insurance offers a fantasy auto-boat-house (similar to the “Autoboatome” in its recent TV commercial). At 55 feet long, covered with red and white carnations and with wheels covered in nori seaweed and real fruit on the orange tree up front, the “Dream Machine” will certainly draw a lot of attention.
RFD-TV
Entry: “One Nation”
The “One Nation” float from RFD-TV, a cable TV channel devoted to rural issues and interests, features the Native American musical group Brulé and depicts a gathering of representatives from all of our country’s tribal nations. Focused around a 35-foot-tall “fancy feather dancer” and with dancers from different Native American tribes, the “One Nation” float projects an image of friendship and community in keeping with this year’s parade theme.
ALZHEIMER’S ASSN. AND PFIZER
Entry: “It’s Time to Face Alzheimer’s”
As part of an ongoing campaign to raise awareness of Alzheimer’s, the steam-spewing “Boomer Express” float will ring its bell every 70 seconds — the frequency with which someone in America develops the disease. According to an Alzheimer’s Assn. report, about 5.3 million Americans are currently living with Alzheimer’s, and that number is expected to grow to as many as 16 million by 2050 in the absence of treatments that either stop the onset of the disease or slow its progression.
THE RONALD REAGAN PRESIDENTIAL FOUNDATION
Entry: “Ronald Reagan. Inspired Freedom. Changed The World”
A first for 2011, this entry celebrates the 100th birthday of President Ronald Reagan on Feb. 6, 2011, through outsized depictions of photographic moments in the 40th president’s life. The 11 “flora-graphs” are made from crushed sweet rice and poppy and onion seeds, while a statue of Reagan is covered with golden flax seeds.
NAMCO BANDAI GAMES AMERICA INC.
Entry: “Pac-Man’s 30th Anniversary Party”
Namco Bandai Games makes its Rose Parade debut in celebration of the 30th anniversary of the Pac-Man arcade game and its rotund main character. The game was released in the U.S. in October 1980 and went on to become an iconic symbol of the 1980s. Towering 55 feet, this float offers scenes and characters from Pac-Man, which has been bringing friends together to play since the era of acid-washed jeans and leg warmers.
