PASADENA, Calif. (June 17, 2021) – As the Pasadena Tournament of Roses® and our community partners actively plan for the 2022 Rose Parade® presented by Honda, the second in a series of sneak previews of floral float entries points to the joy America’s New Year Celebration® will bring to a worldwide audience on January 1, 2022.
For more than 130 years, colorful florals, thematic interpretation and creative designs have been hallmarks of Rose Parade floats, and this year’s entries will continue the tradition. The theme of the 133rd Rose Parade — “Dream. Believe. Achieve.” — inspired the official renderings for float participants Burbank Tournament of Roses Association, Lutheran Hour Ministries—both longtime mainstays with 156 appearances between them—and The UPS Store, which debuted in 2017.
The three float concepts range from whimsical to natural, reflecting the kinds of spectacular, supersized stories that have been embraced for generations. They are among dozens of commercial, non- commercial and self-built floats that will make the 5.5-mile procession along Pasadena’s historic Colorado Boulevard.
This is the Burbank Tournament of Roses Association’s 89th entry in the Rose Parade and is one of the Rose Parade’s six floats that are self-built by volunteers. “An Unlikely Tale” is a story of friendship between a young knight and a dragon who make their dreams come true by spending time together and reading in harmony. Designed by Burbank resident Jonathan Friday, the Burbank Tournament of Roses Association entry will be 53 feet long, 18 feet wide and 25 feet tall at the top of the dragon’s head. The Burbank Tournament of Roses Association is an all-volunteer, non-profit organization that designs, builds and decorates the City of Burbank’s float entry.
Now in their 71st year, the Lutheran Hour Ministries (LHM) float continues to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with millions of parade viewers around the world. Themed “Jesus Teaches” and built by Phoenix Decorating Co., the float features Jesus with 12 modern day disciples in a lush, woodland setting. They are surrounded by books of Jesus’ teachings; trail markers noting attributes that guide our daily lives including joy, peace, love and kindness; and a cross firmly fixed to solid rock. LHM invites viewers to experience the hope and love found in Jesus, as well as join the Petal Pushers, a volunteer group that decorates 8 to 10 Rose Parade floats annually (www.petalpushers.org).
The UPS Store float, themed “Rise, Shine & Read!” celebrates the positive impact literacy can have on a child’s ability to succeed and showcases the company’s support of the Toys for Tots Literacy Program. Reading starts at home, and the float’s animated design features a colorful, spectacled rooster standing atop a stack of books, reading to his family of young chicks. Built by Fiesta Parade Floats, The UPS Store 2022 Rose Parade float inspires children to rise up and let themselves shine bright through the power of literacy. Through reading, children can explore, imagine and dream.
Join us on New Year’s Day to experience the awe and wonder of the floats, bands and equestrian units of the 133rd Rose Parade presented by Honda.