Talk:Rose Parade floats

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Wiki Education Foundation-supported course assignment[edit]

This article is or was the subject of a Wiki Education Foundation-supported course assignment. Further details are available on the course page. Student editor(s): Normaa22. Peer reviewers: Zorolee1997.

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Float Facts[edit]

Float facts: Not sure what the 25 tons of steel is supposed to represent; it's more than is used in the typical single float, and far less than is used in all (46 or so) floats combined. A float that weighs 25 tons total, including engine, chassis, float, and decoration, would be a slightly heavy float. I think that fact needs a cite.

For comparison, Phoenix Decorating says (http://www.phxdeco.com/build.php) that they will use 300 tons in 19 floats -- or roughly 15 tons per float, and they also say 25 tons total float weight -- those numbers sound reasonable to me. I'm changing the figure to 15 unless someone can support 25 somehow. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 216.103.50.52 (talk) 20:13, 15 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Where is that information? From your referenced site, it says: "And... - What makes the floats float? Generally it’s not air. Due to the weight of many floats (up to 50,000 pounds) the tires are foam or gel filled to ensure against flats or blowouts." 25 tons = 50,000 pounds, for the whole float? All the items came from the Pasadena Official Visitors Guide 2007/2008. The 2.5 miles per hour for the 5.5 miles in 3 hours doesn't add up. Ucla90024 (talk) 21:10, 15 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

I agree, the speed/time information looks wrong as well. The parade currently takes 2 hours to pass a given point (at least, the camera point), and a touch longer for a float to go from one end of the parade to the other. There was an all-out push last year to get the parade into the 2 hour window for TV purposes -- in previous years, 2.5 hours or so was more typical, and that's the figure still quoted on the Tournament's web site (later in the route, that may be accurate). If memory serves, our float passed camera row around 8:25 last year, and we pulled into post-parade around 11:00. If I get a chance (and there's interest), I'll check out our time-lapse and get some exact times.

The steel information is on that same page I referenced: Steel - 300 tons -- and in the intro to the page, it says they are building 19 floats. Simple division gives around 15 tons/float. Looking through my invoices from last year, I'd estimate our medium-largish float used about 5 tons of steel, but that's on top of another 7 or so tons of (mostly steel) chassis (our chassis is heavier than many). We usually estimate 12.5 tons for the whole float, though last year was larger than usual for us. I know that can't be used due to WP:NOR which is why I went with Phoenix's numbers. I looked through the whole Visitor's Bureau site, and didn't see anything about the steel -- or was this only in a printed document? (On the other hand, 10 tons of deco materials, wood, foam, water, fuel, riders, etc. seems high as well -- even for floats with waterfalls. -- Then again, we're considering putting a counterweight of a ton or so onto a major moving part of this year's float.) 216.103.50.52 (talk) 06:13, 16 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Incidentally, while I'm not sure when the last working roller coaster was -- I know Downey built one, and maybe 1998's Rollerbunnies was it -- I found out today that Cal Poly will be building one this year. The drawing is posted on their web site, showing a roller coaster, but it doesn't actually say there that it will be functional; I only know that from talking to them. So we'll be able to knock off at least one "when" once that becomes officially announced. 216.103.50.52 (talk) 07:14, 19 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

2009 float building[edit]

Do you know how many floats have been approved and started construction? Ucla90024 (talk) 15:03, 19 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

- Not yet. I know that 7 Phoenix floats (of at least 17) have already had their first test drive, which means their outline is at least largely complete (those same floats are scheduled for their second test drive on 7 June, at which time they should be ready to paint), but the current test schedule is too incomplete to determine totals. It only shows 20 floats from 2 builders, omitting the second largest builder, the 6 self-builts, and the NAMM float which is usually built in Oregon; it also doesn't show the 3 unjudged floats (queen and 2 football teams). At this stage, the pros may still be trying to sell another float or two. As far as I know, only 1 or at most 2 self-builts have begun construction: Downey just got power back last week after recovering from copper thefts, South Pas traditionally doesn't start until Labor Day, Burbank and Cal Poly are still finishing design work. Sierra Madre is well on their way; not sure about La Canada/Flintridge. 216.103.50.52 (talk) 16:53, 20 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Thanks. Maybe I will go take a look and take some pictures. -- Ucla90024 (talk) 17:38, 20 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Don't think this is an appropriate forum for discussing the float test schedule. All that info is available to committee members. If not a tournament member, see if they are willing to give you the info.
The first float test of the 3 required is for the chasie without any support structure on it. The Orange Locusts must be at all tests but early tests may not have the assigned liaison yet.
Maybe we should create an entry about the Orange Locusts Saltysailor (talk) 11:12, 21 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]
OK, I've seen a tentative parade lineup, and there were 47 floats listed, and 90 units total. 216.103.50.52 (talk) 04:15, 27 October 2008 (UTC)[reply]
A newer lineup has come out with 46 floats. The breakdown (mostly from builder web sites): Phoenix: 19; Fiesta: 12; Self-builts: 6; Festival Artists: 6; Charisma: 2; Studio Concepts: 1. 216.103.50.52 (talk) 07:18, 22 November 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Too bad that only couple of floats will be at Brookside Pavilion this year. It was the best place to view float decorating, up close and personal, especially with the new Irwindale barn. Ucla90024 (talk) 18:55, 22 November 2008 (UTC)[reply]
I'm biased, of course, but I think the best place to view float decorating, up close and personal, is at the 5 self-built decorating sites (Cal Poly decorates in the tents). 216.103.50.52 (talk) 02:24, 27 November 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Yes, I like the So Pasadena site behind the bank building. I think they are still there. Irwindale barn is going to be a mess I think. Ucla90024 (talk) 02:28, 27 November 2008 (UTC)[reply]
South Pas moved a couple years ago to the parking lot of the war memorial building. They may have it the toughest of any float, since they can't really start until about Labor Day. 216.103.50.52 (talk) 07:18, 1 December 2008 (UTC)[reply]

2010[edit]

Its nearly parade time again, so I think about this article: -- the 2 floats that are used for the Rose Bowl Game Teams are made by an older method. The Chassis is covered in plywood and plants on placed in wooden planters. before decorating the floats look like mobile cabinetry. -- The Bush float (now InBev), is pulled by Clydesdales. The float does have a motor to get to the Formation Area and back to the barn after the parade. Saltysailor (talk) 05:51, 20 December 2009 (UTC)[reply]

2012[edit]

Charisma has announced that they are going out of business this weekend because they were unable to get any contracts for floats this year. I've deleted their link; unclear there's anything more that should be done (should the link be retained with a note until the web site is taken down?). Floatjon (talk) 04:13, 7 October 2011 (UTC)[reply]

OK, that was apparently not acceptable, so I've split Charisma into a new category instead. Floatjon (talk) 03:41, 19 October 2011 (UTC)[reply]

The decoration by the participants of the Amazing Race TV program was done long before the parade and not sure if any would last that long of time. Ucla90024 (talk) 21:38, 21 July 2012 (UTC)[reply]

New rules[edit]

Not sure if this has been covered in the press -- maybe Pasadena Star-News -- but there were a number of rule changes that took effect in the 2020 parade (and more that would have taken effect in 2021) to improve safety in the wake of the 2019 fire. I'm inclined to think there should be a note in the main article following the entry about the fire, but should something be mentioned here? If there's agreement, I'll see if I can find a public source. Floatjon (talk) 05:09, 18 September 2020 (UTC)[reply]

Actually, it has been covered (superficially, but enough for our purposes): https://www.pasadenastarnews.com/2019/07/14/after-float-catches-fire-heres-how-the-tournament-of-roses-is-upping-its-safety-measures/ Floatjon (talk) 05:21, 18 September 2020 (UTC)[reply]