The La Cañada Flintridge Tournament of Roses Association is an idea
conceived in 1978, nurtured by the Kiwanis Club of La Cañada Flintridge,
and translated into reality by resident volunteers who proudly watched our first float,
Horse Play, as it delighted the crowds along Colorado
Boulevard on January 1, 1979. Today, the LCF TofR's float is a vital and successful
community activity. We are one of only six self-built floats in the entire parade.
Most floats are built by professional float builders and are costly; our float is a
labor of love paid for by donations.
HOW WE DO IT
The float is purely a volunteer effort. We spend no money for labor or services. We
depend on contributions from the community and others across the country for such things
as steel, welding supplies, parts, computer equipment, and software.
A large portion of our budget goes for the flowers used to decorate the float during
"decorating week" from December 26 until the float leaves for the parade in Pasadena.
Local volunteers and friends from around the country return each year to contribute
their time and loving attention to create a masterpiece. We are especially proud of our teens
whose youth and enthusiasm is a positive symbol for the city's future. Seniors in high school
and senior citizens work side by side for a common goal that crosses all age barriers.
All talents and ability levels are represented when the LCF TofR float parades down
Colorado Boulevard to be viewed by millions of people around the world. This parade is seen
by more people than any other event in the universe.
Each year, the Pasadena Tournament of Roses sets a theme for the parade. Float entry designs
must be approved by Pasadena.
Each January the LCF TofR holds a community contest where anyone may submit an entry. All
entries are considered and, when an entry is selected, the concept is given to a volunteer
artist for rendering. It then goes on to the volunteer engineers for drawings and our float
is "born."
HOW WE GET IT TOGETHER
Construction begins in early spring with a few dedicated workers giving the float additional
life. By summer, both skilled and unskilled volunteers pool their know-how and resources on
Saturdays and Sundays as they teach and learn welding, shaping pencil rod and foam, applying
chicken wire, and screening. Those with skills in computer programming, hydraulics, electrical,
and mechanical engineering are an essential part of this massive volunteer community effort
where everyone becomes a "creator" of joy for others to see.
The holidays approach and excitement grows when character is breathed into the float during
the process of cocooning that covers the chicken wire and screening. The float's features
take shape when it is painted the colors of the flowers that will be applied later.
Near Christmas time the float is moved from the construction site behind the Valley
Water Company at
4524 Hampton Road to the decorating site under the freeway at
Foothill Boulevard and Hampton Road where, beginning on December 26, the flowers are
applied.
When our completed float leaves La Cañada Flintridge for the parade on New Year's Eve,
much of the community turns out for a close up farewell and lots of rousing cheers.
WHAT IT'S MADE OF
While each year's float is unique, there are some constants. There are miles of hydraulic
hose, dual engines for power and reliability (but not for speed), power steering and
space-age controls. Our floats weigh about 30,000 pounds and are operated by man and
machine, aka humans and computers.
The number of flowers may vary but 260,000-plus is normal. Flowers include roses, exotic
orchids, carnations, mums, gerbera daisies, iris, gladioli, statice, and leaves. Accents
are created with seeds, barks, fruits, nuts, and vegetables.
HOW IT'S DECORATED
The Pasadena Tournament of Roses requires every visible part of the float to be covered
with natural materials and that roses be used somewhere on the float.
Seeds, bark and other dried natural materials are put on first. Then the hardier type flowers
such as mums are attached. On the last day of decorating roses, orchids, and other exotic
flowers are applied.
Crews of local and visiting volunteers put in an amazing number of hours to decorate the
float. Our float is the largest outdoor volunteer cottage industry in LCF.
Community service clubs, food professionals, and local restaurants donate and serve food
to feed the hungry workers during decorating week.
HOW IT'S PAID FOR
Fund raising is important for this volunteer organization. Memberships are the major source
of revenue. We also sponsor several events
to help add to our coffers. They include a
Bingo Barbecue, a Day at the Races, and an Evening of Wine and Roses that is highlighted
by the appearance of the newly crowned Pasadena Tournament of Roses Queen and Court.
In addition, each month we have a Happy Hour in someone's home where we bring
hors d'oeuvres to share and enjoy a social evening. In addition, area restaurants host a
"Dining Out" where they contribute a portion of the proceeds from that evening to our
cause.
Our Floatique offers LCF TofR items that make great
collectables and gifts that cannot be purchased anywhere else. We have our own
wine glasses, coffee mugs, license plate frames, sweatshirts, T-shirts, patches, pins,
and more.
