La Cañada’s Rose Parade float passes its first test
Spirits were high outside La Cañada’s Valley Water Company Saturday, as members of the La Cañada Flintridge Tournament of Roses Assn. waited to see if this year’s entry into the 2017 Pasadena Rose Parade would be ready for the big day.
Although most of the work — from screening to flower assembly — still remains to be completed, dubbed "Backyard Rocketeer," members were assured during an early morning road test conducted by the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Assn. that the mechanics are, indeed, roadworthy.
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In the first test drive of the float, known as the “T1 test,” Chief Technical Inspector Jody Gerstner checked the float's maneuverability and the function of the tires, brakes and hydraulics.
To make sure the float will be able to handle the Pasadena parade route on Jan. 2, the inspector directed driver Jeff Helgager to steer the barge down Hampton Road to the intersection of Baptiste Way.
Arriving at the juncture, the float was then guided to complete a series of turns before returning to the water company, the back lot of which is used by the La Cañada Flintridge Tournament of Roses Assn. float construction site.
The entry passed the test with flying colors, but will be tested in a second inspection scheduled for early December. That test will include a close look at the float's animations and a fire drill.
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Sara Cardine, sara.cardine@latimes.com
Twitter: @SaraCardine
