Modern-day process Rose Parade floats

tapioca pearls , cranberry seeds decorations

every square inch of exposed surface of float entered in parade must covered flowers or other natural materials. these other decorative applicants include bark, seed , leaves. decorating non-perishable materials performed first. in days following christmas, live additions float applied volunteers or hired workers. delicate flowers placed in individual vials of water , set float one-by-one. tournament of roses largest consumer of flowers in world, , flowers arrive on world.

many floats, along drive train, include computer-controlled robotic mechanisms animate floats. float drivers can see ground below them. observer communicates intercom driver. observers hidden within float , have limited visibility. each float has tournament member (float liaison) assigned shepherds float float barn formation area , down parade route. ride on motor scooters although walk. float liaisons communicate float s observer hand signals. @ 2 corners other tournament members direct floats in addition float liaisons.

it estimated takes 60 volunteers working 10 hours day 10 days decorate 1 float.

float builders



20 daisies, 30 roses or 36 marigolds cover 1 square foot of float area
over 500,000 roses (in vials) used in parade
15 tons of steel along 10,000 feet (3,000 m) of chicken wire framework of float
600 tons of steel, 5,000 gallons of glue , 18 million flowers used make floats each year
935 “white-suiters” spent 80,000 hours manpower , plan parade
floats must collapse no more 16.5 ft (5.0 m). high, pass under freeway overpass
natural materials, such bark, seeds, leaves , flowers, shall cover floats
twenty-four awards 50 float entries
length of parade 5.5 miles (8.9 km), 2.25 hours long @ 2.5 miles (4.0 km) per hour pace




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