2008
Fun Float Facts Pasadena Tournament of Roses® Float
Entry
NUMBER OF YEARS IN ROSE PARADE: 12
FLOAT HEIGHT: 32 FEET
FLOAT WIDTH: 18 FEET
FLOAT LENGTH: 55 FEET
HOW / WHY WAS THIS THEME CHOSEN?
The float theme is in accordance with Rain Bird’s corporate philosophy of promoting environmental preservation through The Intelligent Use of Waterä worldwide. In doing so, Preservation Celebration focuses on bringing awareness to the central role that water plays in sustaining the vitality of all of the Earth’s diverse environments and their inhabitants.
HOW DOES YOUR THEME RELATE TO PARADE THEME?
Preservation Celebration celebrates India’s rich heritage of weaving Earth’s most precious resource into the fabric of its cultural celebrations by paying tribute to the intimate relationship that exists between water and life. In focusing on the Indian culture, we see a rich history of festivals and traditions celebrating the significance of water and the central role that water plays in sustaining all of the Earth’s inhabitants.
SIGNIFICANCE OF THEME TO THE PARTICIPANT:
From the times of the ancient leaders and their irrigation systems to the present day, water has been revered by the Indian culture as an integral part of life and a gift of nature, as well as one of nature’s most potent forces. Preservation Celebration calls attention to the importance of adapting behaviors in order to conserve Earth’s most precious natural resource for generations to come – a perfect fit for Rain Bird’s steadfast commitment to environmental preservation and The Intelligent Use of Waterä.
The natural heritage of India is as rich and diverse as its cultural heritage. Hidden deep within this lush tropical rainforest, amid exotic ruins, India’s unique terrain and vegetation brings out the natural diversity that cannot be witnessed anywhere else in the world. Nestled in this rich land is the home of the endangered Bengal tiger, the largest living member of the cat family.
Rain Bird celebrates the Bengal in its presentation of Preservation Celebration, which vividly captures Rain Bird’s commitment to water conservation and its concern for endangered species and their habitats throughout the world.
The powerful Bengal tiger’s reputation for beauty, grace and strength are cause for celebration. Through lush foliage and exotic temple ruins of the subtropical jungles, the magnificent Bengals are overwhelming in size. Whimsical monkeys demand attention with their antics as spectacular albino peacocks bask in the beauty of the forest.
Waterfalls cascade into lagoons as the jungle of exotic flowers, vines and gardens claim the lost ruins of civilizations past.
CONCEPT:
A year in India is one long procession of festivals as varied in origin as they are in number. That there are numerous national, regional, local, religious, seasonal and social festivals is not surprising, considering India is the land of gods, goddesses, gurus and prophets.
The Bengal tiger, which once roamed widely across India and Southeast Asia, is now threatened. Project Tiger, a wildlife conservation program created by the Indian government, promotes and encourages preservation and awareness. Presently, 19 tiger reserves and wildlife sanctuaries exist in India to help protect and conserve Bengal tigers and other large cats.
FLOWERING DETAIL:
The majestic Bengals come to life with fur from petals of orange strawflower and glossy black onion seed with accents of yarrow, pampas grass and cordon blossoms. The monkeys are artistically crafted using combed palm fiber and pharmitas grass. Peacocks have feathers created from crisp white carnation petals and coconut chips with flowing tails of purple Madame Pompadour dendrobium orchids.
Cascading vines laden with lavender cattleya and purple dendrobium orchids provide a fantasy canopy over the brilliant tropical jungle floor created with over 50,000 orange Mirage and Tropical roses. Floral umbrellas in petals of gold and yellow strawflowers offer spots of shade in this tropical forest. Exotic lush gardens of heliconia, protea, ginger and tropical foliages and ferns complete this magnificent floral presentation.
ANIMATION:
Eight separate waterfalls, featuring over 1,500 gallons of flowing and cascading recycled water, showcase Rain Bird’s reverence for water and its importance to the environment. Realistic movements of the tigers are accomplished with computerized hydraulics. An on-board audio system complements this harmonious nature scene.
INNOVATIONS USED IN BUILDING THIS FLOAT:
The float chassis was specially designed and engineered to safely support the 13,000 + pounds of water constantly recycling and flowing over the eight waterfalls..
FLOAT RIDERS & SPECIAL DETAILS ABOUT THE RIDERS.
Jack Hanna, Director Emeritus of the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium Walter Crawford, Founder and Director, World Bird Sanctuary
PARTICIPATING ORGANIZATION INFORMATION:
Based in Azusa, Calif., Rain Bird Corporation is the leading manufacturer and provider of irrigation products and services. Since its beginnings in 1933, Rain Bird has offered the industry’s broadest range of irrigation products for farms, golf courses, sports arenas, commercial developments and homes in more than 130 countries around the world. Rain Bird has been awarded more than 130 patents, including the first in 1935 for the impact sprinkler. Rain Bird and The Intelligent Use of Water™ is about using water wisely. Its commitment extends beyond products to education, training and services for the industry and the community. Rain Bird maintains state-of-the-art manufacturing assembly facilities in the United States, France, Sweden and Mexico. http://www.rainbird.com.
SPECIAL INTEREST INFORMATION:
This is Rain Bird's twelfth year as a participant in the Tournament of Roses Parade, having won ten previous awards including the most prestigious award, the Sweepstakes Trophy, in 2005, 2003, 2002, 2001, 1999 and 1998.
Project Tiger, a wildlife conservation program created by the Indian government, has been organized to promote and encourage preservation and awareness. Presently, 19 tiger reserves and wildlife sanctuaries exist in India helping to protect and preserve Bengal tigers and other large cats.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND COMMENTS:
Rain Bird’s participation in the annual Tournament of Roses Parade is only one example of how the company’s focus on conservation extends beyond products and services. Rain Bird devotes significant resources to its Intelligent Use of Water public initiatives, which include a series of white papers, public service announcements, membership on the Alliance for Water Efficiency and the steering committee advising the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on its WaterSenseSM product labeling program, bi-annual Intelligent Use of Water Summits, partnerships with non-profit organizations, development and support of elementary and middle school curriculums and The Intelligent Use of Water Awards program that showcases leaders in water conservation.
