Rose Parade Floats Break Down, Too

Most years there is at least one beautiful and lovingly crafted floral float forced to finish the five-mile stretch of the Rose Parade in Pasadena, Calif., behind a tow truck. It's a painful sight for those who spent all year working on the float only to see it hurt by a flat tire, a broken transmission or some other mechanical malfunction. This year, at least four floats suffered from complications; two needed to be towed the entire route. Those floats include Donate Life's "Treasure Life's Journey," Singpoli's "Marco Polo: East Meets West," South Pasadena's "Fishing Follies" and the Tournament of Roses' own "Find Your Adventure" theme banner. The banner float trailed at the end of the parade attached to a tow truck, instead of leading it. Next month, the builders of all four will likely have to appear before the Tournament of Roses' Float Compliance panel to plead their cases. The float's builder—not the sponsors—will appear before that tribunal in February if they break down. Builders also appear if they violate TofR's rules, either by adding something to that float without approval or by ignoring the association's orders. Beyond the visible complications that require a tow, TofR records carbon monoxide and temperature levels for every float, from the parade's beginning to end. If levels for either exceed the limits, such as the float driver's compartment going above 120 degrees, they'll have to answer for it. The panel has the power to issue fines that can range between $1,000 and $80,000 or more, according to tournament officials and builders who went through the process. "Twice, I got a $10,000 penalty," said Tim Estes, president of Fiesta Parade Floats. "I know a builder, I won't mention his name, I won't say what year it was ... he got penalized $80,000. "That's a big hit." Source: www.pasadenastarnews.com