Year 2000 Rose Parade Float
"Rain Forest Rendezvous"
January 1, 2000, saw an important rendezvous -- the meeting
of two centuries. For Rain Bird employees, another rendezvous
was the company's Tournament of Roses float, "Rain Forest
Rendezvous".
Since 1997, Rain Bird has been capturing honors for its breathtaking
floats with tropical rain forest themes focused on water conservation.
The last two years the company has received the coveted Sweepstakes
Trophy, presented to the "most beautiful entry in the
parade for outstanding floral presentation and design."
This year, Rain Bird's float won the President's trophy.
Celebrating
2000: Visions of the Future
The 2000 Rose Parade's theme is Celebrating 2000: Visions
of the Future. The parade promised many special millennium
surprises, and Rain Bird's entry was one of the parade's most
thrilling.
Measuring 55 feet long, 18 feet wide and 28 feet high, the
float featured nine magnificent scarlet macaws that rendezvous
high above a water lagoon and lush tropical foliage of vivid
colors.
"The macaws are celebrating the advancements we've made
in the health of the world's rainforests during the past century
and anticipating a future where we can celebrate the restoration
of the rain forests," explained Beverly Stansbury of
Fiesta Parade Floats, the company who built the float.
Below the macaws were six separate waterfalls. More than
15,000 gallons of water circulated and cascaded down the moss-covered
walls into misty gardens filled with water lilies, vanda and
dendrobium orchards, hot pink roses, rainbow obake, midori
anthuriums, and other blooms. The float's chassis was specially
designed and engineered to safely support the float, including
more than 12,000 pounds of water.
A Winning Team
Rain Bird employees decorated the float and were part of
a team that included professional designers and builders.
The float's look was designed by Raul R. Rodriguez. Rodriguez
has won more awards than any other designer in the history
of the parade. Fiesta Parade Floats, responsible for construction,
is the leading float builder for the parade. Fiesta president
Tim Estes masterminded the float's engineering design, and
Jim Hynd, AIFD, vice president and floral director for Fiesta,
designed the floral use.
The catalysts for the team are the many Rain Bird employees
who help. Rain Bird's float is one of very few 100% decorated
by employees.
Celebrating
2000: Visions of the Future