2005 Fun Float Facts Tournament of Roses® Float Entry
FLOAT DESCRIPTION:
HEIGHT: 32 FEET
WIDTH: 18 FEET
LENGTH: 55 FEET
Rain Bird’s ninth annual Rose Parade float Playful Pandamonium magnificently and vividly represents its continued commitment to water conservation and its ongoing concern for endangered species and the habitats in which they live throughout the world.
A mother’s nurturing love is exquisitely celebrated in this tranquil floral scene set within a colony of giant pandas and their playful offspring. Cool mist swirls through dense forests of bamboo and colorful conifers setting the backdrop for this woodland floral playground as the loveable and charismatic baby pandas playfully frolic near the refreshing cascading waterfalls. Chinese golden-fronted leaf and yellow-cheeked birds serenade as colorful butterflies flutter about.
For centuries the Giant Panda’s characteristics and qualities as a loving and gentle animal have been held in great reverence in the Chinese culture and the panda is now a world symbol of peace. Pandas have also become the world’s symbol for conservation efforts for all endangered species and dwindling wild habitats. Found only in China, the giant panda clings to survival with as few as 1,000 pandas remaining in the wild today. Aggressive ongoing education and conservation efforts are helping to protect the pandas in the wild and to ensure their survival.
FLOWERING:
The unsurpassed beauty and charismatic features of the Giant Pandas has been artistically fashioned with whole white carnations and glossy black allium seed. Colorful birds and butterflies are decorated in an array of textures and materials including vanda orchids, Chinese lanterns, pansies, pepperberry, bells of Ireland and hydrangea petals.
Unique trees created with coral-bush spines, dusted in paprika and augmented with red dendrobium orchid florets, float over vibrant, fanciful trees layered in solid purple cattleya orchids accented with sprays of red ilex berries. Live bamboo shoots, enhanced with green ti leaves, stand against textured cliffs of lotus leaves, seagrapes and chartreuse moss.
Sculptured lotus blossoms and exotic orchids have been crafted in peach lentil and coconut flakes set amid gardens of florescent red Rouge Baiser and Charlotte roses. Peony, China’s national flower, is featured in floral designs intermingled with white azaleas and Casablanca lilies.
ANIMATION:
Eight separate waterfalls, signature elements of all of Rain Bird’s floats, showcase the company’s reverence for water and its importance to the environment. Featuring over 1,500 gallons of flowing and cascading recycled water; the waterfalls span the float along with 24-high pressure misting nozzles. Realistic movements of the pandas are accomplished with hydraulics. An on-board audio system complements this fun and harmonious scene.
HUMAN INTEREST ITEMS:
This is Rain Bird’s ninth year as a participant in the Tournament of Roses Parade, having won the Sweepstakes Trophy (for the most beautiful float) in 2003, 2002, 2001, 1999 and 1998. This 2005 float is decorated by Rain Bird’s employees, families and friends.
FLOAT RIDERS:
Jack Hanna, Director Emeritus, Columbus Zoo and renowned animal expert. Walter C. Crawford Jr., Founder and Director, World Bird Sanctuary.
