Does
Rotary International pay for the float?
How
are the contributions used?
Why
do we enter a float in the Rose Parade?
Where
can I get information about the Rose Parade and Rose Bowl Game?
Can
I see the float during decoration?
Can
I help decorate the float?
How
are floats selected for entry into the Rose Parade?
When
did Rotary first enter a float in the Rose Parade?
How
many people will see the Rotary float?
How can I contact the Rotary Float Committee?
Does
Rotary International pay for the float?
No. Rotary International
endorses the Rotary Rose Float, but Rotarians in the United States and
Canada donate all of the money to pay for the float.
See the Contributions
page for more information.
How
are the contributions used?
Approximately ninety three percent
of the money raised goes directly into building, decorating and
entering the float in the parade. The other seven percent pays for
raising the money. None of the money raised for float construction is
spent on professional staff or committee perks.
Why
do we enter a float in the Rose Parade?
Paul Harris said, "In the
promotion of Rotary, it is important to reach large numbers and you
cannot reach them privately."
When Rotary International's
directors approved the first entry in the parade over 20 years ago,
they saw in it an unrivaled opportunity to bring Rotary's name into
public view. They reasoned that an eye-catching float would capture
the interest of network commentators and remind the world, of Rotary's
good works. And so it has!
Again, last year the Rose
Parade scored a new record viewing audience; over 100 million in the
United States and another 300 million around the world in more than
100 countries. For the 24th consecutive year Rotary again proudly
presents its float to North America and the world .
And each year, more Rotary
clubs enthusiastically contribute financial support to this most
important Rotary public relations project.
Where
can I get information about the Rose Parade and Rose Bowl Game?
Visit the Tournament of Roses
website: www.tournamentofroses.com
Can
I see the float during decoration?
See the Viewing
the Float page for information. Each year, over
100,000 people view the float under construction.
Can
I help decorate the float?
Yes. See the Decoration
Schedule page on this website. You will be able to volunteer
on-line to decorate the float.
How
are floats selected for entry into the Rose Parade?
The Tournament of Roses selects
applications for Rose Parade Floats carefully. There are about 60
floats in the Tournament of Roses Parade each year. Floats are
sponsored by municipalities, community volunteer organizations and
commercial sector.
Rotary International is fortunate
to be one the three service clubs invited to appear in the
parade. We are very proud to be a part of the prestigious
Tournament of Roses New Year's Day Parade.
When
did Rotary first enter a float in the Rose Parade?
While watching the 1979 Pasadena
Rose Parade on Television, Jack Gilbert, who was President of
the Wilshire Rotary Club, in Los Angeles, California, and subsequently chairman of
the Float Committee, had an idea. Rotary would be celebrating its 75th
Anniversary in 1980. 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 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 lead to the formation of the Rotary Rose Parade Float
Committee which now receives contributions each year from
approximately 3,000 Rotary Clubs to fund the Rotary International
float. Rotary has entered a float every year since 1980.
See the History page for pictures and
descriptions of previous floats.
How
many people will see the Rotary float?
Over 425 million people see the
Rose Parade New Year's Day.
The Rose Parade is seen by an
estimated U.S. audience of 40 million people and an estimated
international audience of more than 300 million in over 150 countries.
The Pasadena Police Department estimates that approximately one
million spectators view the Rose Parade in person. Another 200,000
visit the Post Parade Float Viewing Area where the floats are on
display for several days. Following the parade is the Rose Bowl
Football Game, the "Granddaddy of all Bowl Games," which is
viewed by about 1/3 of those who viewed the parade.
This means that your Rotary
International float is seen more than the Rose Bowl is!
The A.C. Nielsen Company's combined
national rating for the Tournament of Roses Parade as broadcast by the
three major US networks (ABC, CBS, and NBC) was 16.5 for a share of 37.
See the Viewing
the Float and Parade page for additional information about viewing
the float being decorated, in person on January 1 and on television.
How can I contact
the Rotary Float Committee?
Ray Bushnell, Chairman, 2007-2008
Rotary Rose Parade Float Committee, Inc.
P.O. Box 92502
Pasadena, CA 91109-2502
chair@rotaryfloat.org
