Here’s a Sneak Peek at South Pasadena’s 2017 Rose Parade Float

The South Pasadena Tournament of Roses is the oldest self-built float in the parade. This year’s entry is called “Never Give Up” and was drawn from their archive of designs to fit the theme “Echoes of Success.” It features the Tortoise and the Hare from Aesop’s Fables and promotes the idea of perseverance.

“It’s not so much about the success but the journey to success,” said Janet Benjamin, Decoration Chair.

Volunteers carefully work to apply floral materials like eucalyptus bark, which was gathered from the War Memorial Park in South Pasadena, dried chickpeas and pinecones. Flowers started arriving on Wednesday and it will be a team effort to finish the float by parade day.

“It really is a community building event,” said Benjamin. “We have so many people that come year after year – it really is like a family.”

Volunteers included local high school students, out of town visitors and parade-fans looking to check float decorating off their holiday bucket list.

South Pasadena’s float has a decorated Barbie hidden on the float every year. Benjamin explains that this tradition comes from a child who was reluctant to stop playing with a Barbie during float decorating and their parent decorated and sent the Barbie on the float as a joke. This year, Barbie will be dressed as a Ninja Turtle.

Another special feature is the back of the float decorations. Many floats focus on the front and ignore the back of their floats but the South Pasadena Tournament of Roses always makes a point to add something fun. Look out for a turtle, the same one that rode on last year’s float.

Be sure the catch the South Pasadena Tournament of Roses float on January 2.