Pigs set to fly as event raises bucks for float

As the countdown to New Year’s Day nears and work begins in earnest on the city’s float entry in the Rose Parade, members and supporters of the La Cañada Flintridge Tournament of Roses Assn. gathered Sunday night for the group’s annual major fundraiser.

The event, “An Evening of Wine and Roses,” was co-chaired by Nymia Cucueco, Pat Hutchins and Corkie MacPherson and drew more than 120 guests to the La Cañada Flintridge Country Club. Also joining the gathering were the Tournament of Roses 2012 Rose Queen Drew Washington and her Royal Court, Morgan Devaud, Sarah Zuno, Hanan Worku, Stephanie Hynes, Cynthia Louie and Kimberly Ostiller. The young women were escorted into the club’s ballroom by the local float association’s members. They then took turns introducing themselves to the crowd.

Chris Erskine, noted Los Angeles Times columnist and La Cañada resident, served as emcee and auctioneer, successfully coaxing maximum dollars out of bidders competing for three different packages: a party catered by Los Gringos Locos with music provided by Misplaced Priorities; tickets to the Rose Parade and Rose Bowl game, along with assorted gifts related to the La Cañada float; and a week’s stay at a vacation home in Sedona, Ariz.

This year the La Cañada Flintridge float is called “If pigs could fly,” and LCF Tournament of Roses Assn. President Ann Neilson is hopeful the community will continue to support the all-volunteer organization’s efforts.

“We’re very excited about ‘If pigs could fly,’” Neilson said, “as we think it’s a perfect fit for the Rose Parade theme of ‘Just Imagine....’ I do hope lots of people will volunteer to help us make it a reality.”

-- Carol Cormaci, Times Communtiy News