PASADENA, CA. Jan. 2, 2009. Today the Tournament of Roses® via the KTLA Morning News announced Cal-Poly Universities as the winner of the inaugural Viewers' Choice Award. Their float, themed Seaside Amusement, was self built, and received 3,219 votes out of a total of 10,618 votes submitted. Cal-Poly has enjoyed a reputation over the years for fun floats with innovative design.
The theme for the 2009 parade was Hats Off to Entertainment.
The winner of the award was announced by Tournament of Roses President Corky Conzonire, live from the Post Parade Showcase of Floats via the KTLA Morning News.
Laura Farber, chairperson of the Tournament of Roses Judging committee said, "In the spirit of the 2009 Rose Parade® … the float submitted by Cal Poly Universities certainly entertained audiences all around the country … For a long time, we have wanted to offer an interactive venue for Rose Parade fans, and are very glad we were able to partner with KTLA to provide the Viewers' Choice award for the 2009 Parade. We are thrilled with the overwhelming turnout of voters for this first run and look forward to providing this opportunity for years to come."
Cal Poly University’s engaging float included a working rollercoaster, ferris wheel and bumper cars.
A parade official shows a young parade-goer a close up view of the bumper car.
On January 1, 2009, more than 10,000 Parade fans visited www.ktla.com/roseparade and cast their votes for the Viewers' Choice Award. At the site, they were able to view video of the Rose Parade, see the floats again and catch the Parade in its entirety for the first time if they missed it on television. Voting took place from 10:00 a.m. (PST) to 6:00 p.m. (PST).
The 120th Tournament of Roses Parade opened on New Year’s Day with a green vision for the future: the Honda CFX Clarity. KTLA’s Bob Eubanks noted that it was the first hydrogen powered pace car ever – the only emission being water vapor, and said, “folks, there is the future, right there in front of you.”
Eubanks expressed appreciation to all the sponsors of the floats for bringing such beauty into our lives, especially during challenging times.
As a little girl growing up in chilly New York, the sunny California weather always seemed so inviting as it beamed through my TV screen on New Year’s mornings. Now I live in California, and I enjoy the luxury of going to Pasadena to get an intimate look at the floats on display after the parade. Some of the fine points are impossible to imagine from a TV image, so these close up shots, offered in roughly chronological order, are offered here to celebrate the beauty in the details. (Please note: Floats with few or no photos or which are not listed were not avoided on purpose, they simply may have had poor lighting or visibility when I was there, or I have not yet been able to identify the image. I took over 400 photos in two hours, I will continue to add them in the next day or two.)
The American Theme Trophy for excellence in presenting the parade theme, went to American Honda and Phoenix Decorating Co. for Hats Off in Celebration, which opened the parade with a fanfare explosion of confetti.
Rain Bird Corporation’s Entertaining Expedition presented an African safari and won the Sweepstakes Trophy for the most beautiful entry with outstanding floral use, (Designed by Fiesta Parade Floats.)
Trader Joe’s Saturday Matinee featured a 3-D glasses-wearing, fire-breathing, monster that used his breath to heat up his popcorn.
La Cañada Flintridge Tournament of Roses Association received the Animation Trophy for best animation for Mechanical Melodies, which was made by volunteers in the City of La Canada-Flintridge.
RFD-TV offered Hee Haw.
The City of Mission Viejo entered Making a Splash which won the Judges' Special Trophy for most spectacular in showmanship. (Fiesta Parade Floats).
Macy’s offered its Renaissance garden-styled Queen’s Float, Presenting the Royal Court.
Vera Bradley’s float, Hope Grows, offered the first look at this year’s new designs of Vera Bradley Bags. It won the Director's Trophy for outstanding artistic merit in design. (Festival Artists floats.)
Rotary International’s Make Dreams Real featured fairies from Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
Lions Clubs International’s The Miracle Workers featured a huge, meticulously crafted floral reproduction of a newly discovered photo of Helen Keller and her teacher Anne Sullivan.
Farmers Insurance Group’s float featured a working waterwheel, a little country inn, and a 1925 Cadillac. They requested and received special permission not to cover the antique car with flowers! They won the Craftsman Trophy for exceptional showmanship for floats over 55 feet, for Family Outing. (Phoenix Decorating Co.)
The City of Cerritos’ float, Camelot – A Knight’s Tale, featured King Arthur and Guineviere, and received the Grand Marshal's Trophy for excellence in creative concept. It was made by volunteers in the City of Sierra Madre.
City of Alhambra entered Salute to the USO.
The Sierra Madre Rose Float Association’s Bollywood Dreams won the Lathrop K. Leishman Trophy for the most-beautiful non-commercial float. It was made by volunteers in the City of Sierra Madre.
The State of New Mexico’s Hats off to New Mexico – BEEP BEEP won the Bob Hope Trophy for use of humor. (Fiesta Parade Floats.)
City of Duarte / City of Hope entered Healthy Living Is Child’s Play.
Lutheran Laymen’s League presented Hallelujah!
The City of Anaheim offered Crank Up the Entertainment.
Dick Van Patten’s Natural Balance Pet Foods, Inc. entered Natural Entertainers.
The City of Long Beach presented Renaissance Revival.
The National Association of Realtors’ float, Celebrating the Dream of Home Ownership for 100 Years, was a poignant reminder of the state of the current housing market. It was awarded the Isabella Coleman Trophy for best presentation of color. (Fiesta Parade Floats.)
The Downey Rose Float Association’s offering, Broadway’s Golden Age, won the Founders' Trophy for most spectacular float built by volunteers.
Kiwanis International’s Sharing the Great Outdoors won the Princess's Trophy for most beautiful float under 35 feet. (Phoenix Decorating Co.)
Kaiser Permanente’s Propel Your Dreams won the Special Trophy for exceptional merit in mulitiple categories for floats over 55 people. (Fiesta Parade Floats.)
The City of Torrance’s Mad Hatter’s Tea Party won the Tournament Volunteers Trophy for best floral design for floats less than 35 feet. (Fiesta Parade Floats.)
The West Covina Rose Float Foundation offered Hooray for Hollywood.
NAMM, The International Music Products Association’s Believe in Music won the President's Trophy for most-effective floral use. (Studio Concepts floats.)
The City of Roseville’s Entertaining Dreams for a Century won the Governor's Trophy for best depiction of life in California. (Phoenix Decorating Co.)
FTD offered The Making of an Epic.
City of Huntington Beach’s entry, Surf City USA, won the Mayor's Trophy for most outstanding city. (Festival Artists.)
Donate Life’s Stars of Life won the Queen's Trophy for most-effective use and display of roses. (Phoenix Decorating Co.)
The City of St. Louis entered 75 Years of Entertainment.
China Airlines, Ltd. - Taiwan Lantern Festival International Trophy for most beautiful entry from outside this country, Taiwan Lantern Festival. (Festival Artists.)
The Burbank Tournament of Roses Association entered 3-D Double Feature.
The Odd Fellows and Rebekahs offered Going to the Fair.
Jack in the Box entered Jack-O-Licious, and won the Extraordinaire Trophy for most spectacular float. (Festival Artists.)
Bayer Advanced’s The Garden of Oz won the Fantasy Trophy for most outstanding display of fantasy. (Phoenix Decorating Co.)
The Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau offered Celebrating Alaska – Spirit of the Wild and won the National Trophy for best depiction of life in the USA. (Fiesta Parade Floats.)
The City of Glendale’s Sneak Preview won the Past Presidents Trophy for most creative use of flowers. (Phoenix Decorating Co.)
The City of Los Angeles entered DiscoverLosAngeles.com
Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southern California offered Time for a Family Gathering.
Western Asset’s Entertaining Our Imaginations won the Crown City Trophy for innovation. (Phoenix Decorating Co.)
And, finally, the City of South Pasadena entered Nature’s Entertainment.
The floral magic continues:
All photos Jan. 1, 2009 by MerylAnn Butler.
