Did you watch the ROSE parade?

[Twila]

For many years, the car decorations were created by the wonderful designer, Els Hazenberg http://articles.latimes.com/2007/jan/01/local/me-dutch1

She had been working with J Keith White and a fantastic designer, Michael Garcia, to be her replacements. About three years ago, Michael gave up all US onnections to work full time for a company in China. Michael grew up at Fiesta. A great young man and an amazing designer. He came to visit us at Fiesta on last Thursday and was going to help Keith with the cars. I was thrilled to see him.
I was sad when he said that he wasn't going to do the cars anymore. Begged him not to give it up when I was working in Hong Kong for a very short time. Told him that he should come and visit his mom at Christmas time every year and then he could do the cars.
I think he's come for the last two years to help with the cars.
Jim Hynd and Fiesta have nutured many incredible designers.

Both Michael and Keith are incredibly talented designers...and both real sweeties!

 

[rsef]

The grand marshall's car was one of my favorites!

I was part of 1.5 million on the streets. We got up at 3:30 and got a spot right on the curb. (The family said I was just a BIT too chipper for that early--especially after 2 days at the Sea World & the SD Zoo. But I did the amusement parks with them; they got to do the parade with me! HA.) It was incredible! I can only imagine working on these.
-RSEF

 

[Kristine]

I didn't watch any of it very unusual for me this year.

However I did check in on the rose bowl game and did anyone see the flowers around the broadcasters booth. There were so many wilted roses and hydrangea - I was floored.

Are those arrangements made way ahead or was it warm? We were at friends and they laughed cause they didn't notice, but I sure did.

 

[cherrie]

The grand marshall's car was one of my favorites!

I was part of 1.5 million on the streets. We got up at 3:30 and got a spot right on the curb. (The family said I was just a BIT too chipper for that early--especially after 2 days at the Sea World & the SD Zoo. But I did the amusement parks with them; they got to do the parade with me! HA.) It was incredible! I can only imagine working on these.
-RSEF

The Grand Marshalls car was outright breathtaking!!!

As far as the roses go, they were all around crappy this year.
I was whining about them all week and when I was walking the parade, I could see that all of the floats had bad roses. Our (Fiesta's) hydrangea were beautiful. The anthuriums and cymbidiums were amazing.
It's funny, how at three in the morning, on your hands and knees on the cold cement, poking in cyms and cattleyas, how I can still stop and be awed by the beauty of individual blooms. Must love what I do or be totally nuts. Maybe a little of both.....

 

[shannonlovesflowers]

I didn't watch any of it very unusual for me this year.

However I did check in on the rose bowl game and did anyone see the flowers around the broadcasters booth. There were so many wilted roses and hydrangea - I was floored.

Are those arrangements made way ahead or was it warm? We were at friends and they laughed cause they didn't notice, but I sure did.

yep, florist eyes...

 

[shannonlovesflowers]

The Grand Marshalls car was outright breathtaking!!!

As far as the roses go, they were all around crappy this year.
I was whining about them all week and when I was walking the parade, I could see that all of the floats had bad roses. Our (Fiesta's) hydrangea were beautiful. The anthuriums and cymbidiums were amazing.
It's funny, how at three in the morning, on your hands and knees on the cold cement, poking in cyms and cattleyas, how I can still stop and be awed by the beauty of individual blooms. Must love what I do or be totally nuts. Maybe a little of both.....

I noticed a lot of dead dried up crusty palm on one float, I couldn't believe it...

Them florist eyes again..

 

[cherrie]

We had some bad commodore. I replaced my fern clumps.

The floats are judged on the morning of the 31st. Then, the drive for about 12 miles to the parade route. At least, our floats do this drive. I pray that they make it to the parade in somewhat the same condition I left them. And they do. We make the arrangements in chicken wired deluxe foam.
This year it seemed unusually warm. It was outright toasty on the 30th. I was flipping out. My float is all roses. With Osianas, no less. I used about 2 gallons of AquaFinish and Crowning Glory. Usually, it cold between Xmas and New Years. Sometimes, lots and lots of rain. This year, sunny and toasty, not so good for flowers. Good for me. A couple of years ago, I came back with walking ammonia.

I also noticed a lot of gerberas not looking so good by parade route.

 

[cherrie]

walking pneumonia
sorry, I'm a little tired and whacky......

 

[thejabbershop]

I got to watch most of it and as usual was awed. I am sure that seeing it in person would be even better (the old pictures don't do justice saying). It would be a dream to have the opportunity to work on a float. Ohhhhh maybe someday!