Rotary International Rose Parade Float

Rotary International has entered a float in the Rose Parade every year since 1980. Floats were also entered in 1966, 1946,1942, and 1927. For more about the float, see the Frequently Asked Questions page

	2008 The theme was "Sharing World Literacy Day". Raul Rodriguez designed the float which was constructed by Charisma Floats and was decorated by hundreds of volunteers from Rotary, Rotaract, and Interact clubs. Construction Pictures Float Rider Pictures and Biographies Float Video
	2007 The theme was "Lead the Way" and the float presented a 16 foot mother duck leading her four young ducklings through a garden. Thousands of roses, carnations, iris, gerbera daises and gladiolas were used on the float. Riders on the float were selected from Rotary Exchange Students visiting the United States. Raul Rodriguez designed the float which was constructed by Charisma Floats and was decorated by hundreds of volunteers from Rotary, Rotaract, and Interact clubs. Construction Pictures Float Rider Pictures and Biographies
	2006 The theme was "The Magic of Caring". The float presented a garden setting with mom and pop bear playing doctor and nurse to their baby bear. Naturally colored cotton was used to create the fur on this loving family of bears. Oversized flowers and toy tops, decorated with orange lentils, raspberry seed, split pea, statice and yellow strawflower, surrounded the bears in the garden. A large arbor, whose criss-cross appearance was created using a pattern of corn husks, completes the garden setting Raul Rodriguez designed the float which was constructed by Charisma Floats and was decorated by hundreds of volunteers from Rotary, Rotaract, and Interact clubs. Construction Pictures Float Rider Pictures and Biographies
	2005 The theme, "Family Tree - A Century of Service", and design were selected to recognize the service of the Rotary family throughout the world during the past 100 years as Rotary International celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2005 and begins its second century of service to the world community. The 2005 Tournament of Roses Parade theme was Celebrate Family. The float presented a large tree amidst an active park setting, representing Rotary’s extensive family tree. Bird houses and large butterflies ornament the tree, which was surrounded by a lush garden featuring two dogs at play. The setting was created using real grass sod, roses, carnations, mums, lilies and orchids, with Yellow Oncidium orchids in the tree. Orange fluff, which comes from the seed pod of the Bird of Paradise, comprised the orange fir on the wings of the monarch butterflies. Raul Rodriguez designed the float which was constructed by Charisma Floats and was decorated by hundreds of volunteers from Rotary, Rotaract, and Interact clubs. Construction Pictures Pictures and Biographies of Float Riders
	2004 The float won the Princess' Trophy the for the "Most Beautiful Float Under 35 Feet". The "Symphony of Service" theme depicted a garden stage where a string quintet of bears and rabbits are playing a concert. The float used nearly 15,000 roses and thousands of other floral materials including carnations, iris, gerbera daises, strawflower, statice, crushed walnut shell, coconut, cranberry seed, onion seed sesame and sweet rive. Gladiolas and orchids created the look of the water fountain and ornamental cabbage made up the floral ruffle encircling the deck of the float. Raul Rodriguez designed the float which was constructed by Charisma Floats and was decorated by hundreds of volunteers from Rotary, Rotaract, and Interact clubs. Construction Pictures Pictures and Biographies of Float Riders
	2003 The theme of the float was "The Sky's the Limit". In commemoration of the 100th anniversary of flight, the Rotary float depicted the sandy beach where the Wright Brothers took their first flight. At the rear of the float was a group of buildings that are similar to the working areas of the bothers. Sesame seed was used to achieve the fabric covering of the wings of the plane. The deck was plush with grasses, roses, iris, carnations, and gebera daises-used to achieve the look of the sand dunes and groupings of growth along the shoreline. Orville Wright was a Rotarian in Dayton, Ohio. Raul Rodriguez designed the float which was constructed by Charisma Floats and was decorated by hundreds of volunteers from Rotary, Rotaract, and Interact clubs. Construction Pictures
	2002 The 2002 float theme was "Around the World Through Education". It was a magical journey that started on a 17-foot-tall turtle crafted from hundreds of pounds of split pea, lentil seeds, green tomatoes, strawflowers, statice and citrus fruit. The decking of the float was vibrantly adorned using thousands of roses, carnations, lilies, iris and gerbera daisies with small and medium sculpted flowers creating the flowering branches on the deck. Raul Rodriguez designed the float which was constructed by Charisma Floats and was decorated by hundreds of volunteers from Rotary, Rotaract, and Interact clubs. Construction Pictures
	2001 The 2001 float won the Volunteers Trophy for the "best floral design of Parade theme under 35 feet in length." Mark Twain’s story of Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn is instantly recognizable by millions of people around the world. They were the recognizable element of the theme for the 2001 float, "Recognizing Tomorrow's Leaders". If there had been a Rotary club in Hannibal, Missouri when Tom and Huck were having their adventures, those Rotarians would have been interested in these two young men. This float celebrated the many young people Rotary has channeled into roles of positive leadership through the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards program. There were ten young people who have participated in the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards program, riding on the float. What a memorable experience for a RYLA student to participate in the RYLA leadership seminar, and ride a float in the Rose Parade. All of this to get the message across that Rotary not only recognizes tomorrows leaders, but also develops their leadership skills and principles. Our Rotary float created awareness in the world regarding RYLA, one of the most effective programs in the world of Rotary. Raul Rodriguez designed the float which was constructed by Charisma Floats and was decorated by hundreds of volunteers from Rotary, Rotaract, and Interact clubs. Construction Pictures Pictures and Biographies of Float Riders
	2000 The float won the Isabella Coleman Award for "Best presentation of color and color harmony through floral use." "Readers are Winners" recognized Rotary's emphasis on the need for functional literacy since 1985. UNESCO has estimated that more than a fourth of the people in the world are illiterate and unable to read or write well enough to adequately support themselves. Rotary clubs are engaged in tutoring programs, work place literacy programs, public awareness campaigns, book drives, funding of adult literacy classes, and in improving primary education. Renowned designer Raul Rodriguez used the fable of the tortoise and the hare to depict the studious tortoise winning the race with his basket of books while the laid back rabbit was listening to his walkman. The thirty five foot float was constructed by Charisma Floats and was decorated by hundreds of volunteers from Rotary, Rotaract, and Interact clubs.
	1999 The 1999 float won the Volunteers Award for best floral design of parade theme 35 feet and under. "Service is Timeless" was the theme. It was built by Charisma Floats;
	1998 The was about more than beautiful flowers and spectacular pageantry. It told the story of Rotarians through its theme "Bringing the World Together" by encouraging and fostering international understanding, goodwill and peace through the programs of the Foundation of Rotary International. This year's float celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of the Ambassadorial Scholar program, the oldest and best-known program of the Rotary International Foundation. It is also the largest privately funded international scholarship program. The scholarship program distinguishes itself from others by its unique ambassadorial purpose, which is possible only through the personal involvement of Rotarians worldwide. Program objectives include sending ambassadors of goodwill to improve international understanding; instilling a high degree of international understanding in all scholars within the context of the high ideals which Rotary embodies; imparting needed skills to scholars, especially those from developing countries; and educating scholars from developed countries in the unique problems and challenges faced by developing countries. With attention to these objectives, which help set Foundation Scholarships apart from other, Rotarians succeed in creating "ambassadors of goodwill" to help further the mission of The Rotary Foundation. The float was truly a marriage of the 1998 Rose Parade Theme of "Hav'n Fun" with the 1997-98 Rotary International Theme of Show Rotary Cares. The float was constructed by Charisma Floats.
	1997 The float titled "Caring for the World's Children" provided an opportunity to reveal the shining achievements of the PolioPlus campaign. The float featured three medical officers on three different continents, each surrounded by children who have been immunized against polio and other childhood diseases. Colorful flowers, animals, vegetation and monuments depicted the different cultures were immunization efforts have been carried out. The float was constructed by Charisma Floats.
	1996 Float Theme: "Lending a Helping Hand" The float was constructed by Charisma Floats.
	1995 Float Theme: "Building Universal Friendship" Winner of the Fantasy Trophy The float was constructed by Charisma Floats.
	1994 Float theme: "Believing in the Future" The float was constructed by Charisma Floats.
	1993 Float Theme: "Performing for a Better World" The float was constructed by Bent
	1992 Rotary's float, titled "Time for Learning", with its sculptured floral cuckoo clock, baby birds in their nest, and youthful students. all symbolized the birth of learning and discovery. In a riot of lavish floral display, the verdant garden scene exploded in a bust of color cascades of exotic blooms from all over the world, with 40,000 roses. The float was constructed by Fiesta Parade Floats.
	1991 Float Theme: :Ropin' 'N' Rompin'" The float was constructed by Fiesta Parade Floats
	1990 Float theme: "The Peaceable Kingdom" The float was constructed by Fiesta Parade Floats
	1989 "Making Childhood Dreams Come True" was a cause for celebration. the spectacular 24-foot storyteller and his magically live marionettes captured the hearts of children of all ages. The float told the world what Rotary does to make the dreams of peace, common to all children, closer to reality. The float was constructed by Fiesta Parade Floats.
	1988 The float theme was "Look Whoo's Talking" and it won the Princess Trophy The float was constructed by Fiesta Floats.
	1987 Float theme: "Rotary Brings Hope" The float was constructed by the American Decorating Company
	1986 Float theme: "Turning Tears Into Laughter" The float was constructed by the American Decorating Company
	1985 Float theme: " Youth: Bridge to Tomorrow" The float was constructed by the Jubilee Parade Float Company.
	1984 The theme of the float was "Neighborhood Carpool" exemplifying the Rotary motto, "Service Above Self", the seemingly overburdened dad takes it all with a patient smile as we see clamoring on his shell his own young turtle carrying a violin case, a little league team of frogs, a campfire bluebird mouse, a Brownie chipmunk, a Cub Scout duckling, and a ballerina bunny. The float was constructed by Festival Arts.
	1983 Float theme: "Mankind is One" The float was constructed by Festival Arts. Video of the float in the Rose Parade
	1982 Float theme: "Peace Through World Understanding" Bridges of peace, understanding, join the continents of the world. The final bridge supported by the Rotary emblem saluted the dedicated service of members throughout the world. Nations' flags encircled hemispheres on a ribbon of Yellow Town Crier Roses. Floral sculptured couples join hands in friendship. The float was constructed by Bent
	1981 Float theme: "Trails to Happiness" A poignant celebration of the United Nations' International Year of the Handicapped, "Trails to Happiness" represents the humanitarian actions of Rotary International. Practicing its motto, "Service Above Self", the organization-as depicted on the float-takes time to serve the blind, the handicapped and the disadvantaged by providing nature trails and a variety of other outdoor experiences for boys and girls throughout the world. At the front, a Rotarian helps a little boy in a wheelchair, while up ahead a small girl on crutches watches. At the rear, another Rotarian holds up a fish that a blind child has caught. The entry consists of roses, pompon mums, calendulas, orchids, iris, carnations and marigolds. The float was constructed by Floatmasters.
	1980 The theme of Rotary's 75th Anniversary Float was "Love Makes the World Go Around" and it won the National Trophy. "Anyone who makes it the age 75 deserves at least a few flowers on his or her birthday." This year rotary got roses, thousands of them. The rainbow colored float carried a revolving globe covered with white carnation petals, surrounded by a bouquet of Dutch Iris and silverleaf. A musical staff with notes bordered the sides of the float, leading to the Rotary emblem, colored with swarms of pompoms and cornflowers. The float's base was blanketed with 8,000 red roses. The float was valued at over $40,000, but a price tag couldn't be placed on the favorable publicity attracted to Rotary International. The 1980 float was funded by Rotary Clubs in the Western United States. The float was constructed by Floatmasters.
	1966 Float theme: A Closer World Through Rotary" The float was constructed by Bent.
	1946 Float theme: "Service Above Self" Tournament of Roses theme: "Victory, Unity and Peace"
	1942 The theme of the Tournament of Roses was "The Americas" and the Rotary float was in Division V.
	1927 The theme of the Tournament of Roses was "Songs in Flowers" and the Rotary float was in Division IV, Class B.