Burbank Rose Parade float organizers to host volunteer ‘deconstruction party’

All good things must come to an end -- or in this case, be destroyed.

Burbank is one few cities that rely almost completely on volunteers to build its Rose Parade float, a system that goes both ways. So for as much work that goes into building the float, organizers over the years have come up with plan to attract volunteers to help tear it apart: a party and little bit of money.

To motivate volunteers to destroy the 45-foot-long float, Burbank Rose Float Assn. Vice President Steven Edward said he sprinkled a “large handful” of coins along the bed of the float as extra motivation for those who volunteer to help break apart the float on Saturday.

“It just makes the day a little more interesting in a kind of unique and creative way,” Edward said. “I had been saving coins for several weeks.”

The deconstruction party tradition spans back two decades, when float organizers found themselves -- in small numbers -- still taking apart the float well into March.

“We said, ‘Why don’t we throw a party? Maybe we can do this in a day,’” Edward recalled.

Between 80 and 100 people are expected to participate in breaking down “Deep Sea Adventures,” which won the award for best display of fantasy and imagination. And Edward has a task for every last volunteer — flower buckets need washing, 12,000 roses need to be pulled out with each individual vial needing disinfecting, and the float’s foam base needs to be broken down and trashed.

“It’s a great family event,” Edward said.

To volunteer, put on some old clothes and working gloves and head to the Burbank Water and Power yard at 123 West Olive Ave. on Saturday between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Lunch will be served.

-- Alene Tchekmedyian, Times Community News

Follow Alene Tchekmedyian on Google+ and on Twitter: @atchek.