Dole to Receive 2017 Rose Parade Sweepstakes Trophy in March 21 Presentation

Dole Packaged Foods announced it be accepting its seventh Tournament of Roses float award in a ceremony at its Westlake Village headquarters on Tuesday, March 21.

The company’s float, “Spirit of Hawaii,” won the Sweepstakes Trophy for having been the “most beautiful parade entry with outstanding floral presentation and design,” according to the Tournament of Roses judging committee.

The float celebrated Dole Packaged Foods’ origins in the Hawaiian Islands and honored the state’s welcoming culture, unique heritage and unparalleled beauty with a breathtaking floral salute.

A three-member judging panel, composed of civic and floral industry leaders appointed by the judging committee, evaluated the floats during two judging sessions before the parade. Scores were based on such criteria as creative design, floral craftsmanship, artistic merit, computerized animation, thematic interpretation, floral and color presentation, and dramatic impact.
The scores from each judging session were then combined to determine the trophy recipients.
Dole Packaged Foods, a leader in the development of healthy packaged fruits and snack products, collaborated with the Feeding America network in the Rose Parade entry, as well as with Ventura County’s FOOD Share program.

The company has announced it will be expanding its partnership with FOOD Share for the 2018 Rose Parade and Live on Green event.

At the trophy presentation on Tuesday, FOOD Share President and CEO Bonnie Atmore will be joining Dole Packaged Foods President Brad Bartlett and Tournament of Roses President Lance Tibbet, along with other members of the Dole and Tournament of Roses leadership teams.