ROTARY BLOSSOMS AT PASADENA ROSE PARADE

Here we have a good news story, with a different take on Rotary fundraising, coming all the way from sunny California.

On New Year’s Day, Rotary International President Gordon McInally and his wife Heather were sitting in an upside-down umbrella as they supported the 2024 Rose Parade in Pasadena, California.

The Rose Parade, also known as the Tournament of Roses, is an annual parade held mostly along Colorado Boulevard in Pasadena every New Year's Day.

The parade is produced by the non-profit Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association, starts at 8:00 am and includes flower-covered floats, marching bands, and equestrian units.

The parade is followed in the afternoon by the Rose Bowl, one of the major bowl games in college football – American that is, not football as we know it! It has been uninterrupted since 1890, except for a three-year absence during World War II and a year during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Floral floats in the Tournament of Roses make their way down the 5.5 mile parade route each New Year’s Day. Above shows example floats from Honda (2018), UPS (2022), Loyola Marymount University (2012) and Downey Rose Float Association (2010). iStock users raksyBH, Angel Di Bilio, MarieAppert.

The float this year was all about raising awareness of clean water, and as one of Rotary’s seven Areas of Focus, the Rotary International float was named Clean Water - The Music of Life at the 2024 Rose Parade!

The Rotary float has also won the coveted Leishman Public Spirit Trophy Award.

Congratulations must go to the Rotary Rose Parade Float Committee and all the Rotarians that participated in decorating this year’s Rotary Rose Parade Float for winning the award for most outstanding floral presentation from a non-commercial participant.

Each year, 80,000 volunteer hours are given to decorating floats and ensuring that all elements of the event are a success.

“I am conscious that for more than 40-years, Rotary International has participated in the Rose Parade in Pasadena, California, and it has been thrilled to do so,” said Gordon.

“Each year the Rotary Rose Parade Float Committee creates a world-class float that showcases Rotary – and with tens of millions of viewers, the Rose Parade is a great opportunity to elevate our message to communities far and wide.”

“As one of the most highly regarded global membership organisations, we are so proud of the service we provide: eradicating deadly disease, educating communities, providing clean water and sanitation, unlocking the potential within girls to attain equality in their communities, addressing the issues surrounding mental health and so much more.”

So here a little history for you. While watching the 1978 Pasadena Rose Parade on Television, Jack Gilbert, who was President of Wilshire Rotary Club, in Los Angeles, California, and subsequently chairman of the Rotary Rose Parade Float Committee, had an idea. Rotary would be celebrating its 75th Anniversary in 1980.

“Each year the Rotary Rose Parade Float Committee creates a world-class float that showcases Rotary – and with tens of millions of viewers.”

Jack believed that by entering a float in the 1980 New Year’s Day Rose Parade, Rotary could communicate its message, “Service Above Self” to millions of people worldwide.

Jack shared his vision with other Rotarians, who supported the idea. Seven District Governors in Southern California agreed to underwrite the cost of the float and make up any shortfall not covered by Club contributions. Fortunately, the Clubs contributed $35,000 which covered the full cost of the original float.

This first Tournament of Roses experience led to the formation of the Rotary Rose Parade Float Committee which now receives contributions each year from approximately 8 Rotary Districts and an additional 700 Individual Rotary Clubs to fund the float.

The Committee has entered a float every year since 1980. That’s 44 years of amazing contribution to Rotary Public Image and shouting about the good Rotary does in the world!

Read more about the history of the Rotary Float.

Photo grid: iStock users raksyBH, Angel Di Bilio, MarieAppert. All other photos courtesy of Rotary Rose Parade Float Committee.