Three-peat sweepstakes for Dole ‘Dreaming of Paradise’ in 2013 Rose Parade

A 26-foot volcano with flowing magma of fluorescent orange roses spewed smoke, steam, and flames 30 feet into the air at the 2013 Rose Parade.  The entry, “Dreaming of Paradise” by Dole, was created by Fiesta Parade Floats.  President Tim Estes told KTLA that the volcano was added to the original rainforest design.A pyrotechnic flame unit, high pressure water misting system, non-toxic smoke machine and a high volume, low bass sound system reproduced the look and sound of a live volcano.  A hydraulic system lowered the volcano to 16 feet to pass under low wires and the 201 Freeway bridge towards the end of the parade route.Performing traditional Costa Rican dances, the Alma Tica Fold-Dance Group of the Costa Rican-American Cultural Center in San Bernardino, danced next to the 2013 Dole Rose Parade float, “Dreaming of Paradise.”  The group is directed by Eduardo A. Valverde.The float reflected the luxurious growth and rich culture of Latin American rainforests to honor on of the regions that provides Dole with tropical produce.Fiesta Parade Floats designer Raul Rodriguez and his macaw Sebastian rode “Dreaming of Paradise,” the Dole entry in the 2013 Rose Parade.  A money peeks out of the ruins behind and a leopard stalks on a bed of protea and roses.  The three young ladies were lightly clad in typical tropical attire on a Pasadena morning where the temperature dipped to near-freezing.View the list »
Dole won its third Sweepstakes Trophy in a row at the 2013 Rose Parade with a spectacular recreation of a tropical rainforest with an active volcano that spewed smoke, steam, and flames and fauna that included giant parrots, monkeys, leopards and butterflies.Orchids and other tropical flowers cascaded from the canopy, and the oozing magma of the volcano was created with 8,000 fluorescent orange roses.  Bananas, pineapples, mangoes, papayas, peaches, strawberries and blueberries grown by Dole were also used.

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Ever since the Lakers did it, Southern Californians love three-peats. Fiesta Parade Floats did it with the Dole entry in the 2013 Rose Parade, “Dreaming of Paradise.” For the third year in a row—and only its third entry—the Dole float won the Sweepstakes Trophy for “Most Beautiful Entry in Parade With Outstanding Floral Presentation & Design.”

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The award was also an anniversary of sorts for Fiesta Parade Floats. It’s the 20th consecutive sweepstakes award for Fiesta. Dole floats have focused on different regions of the world where their products are grown. In 2011, “Living Well in Paradise” featured Hawaii, in 2012, “Preserving Paradise” featured Thailand, and “Dreaming of Paradise” takes parade watchers to the tropical rain forests of Latin America.

Liberal use of fresh floral materials on the deck and cascading over what might be Mayan ruins and three waterfalls recycling more than a thousand gallons of water created a lush tropical rainforest with a live volcano spewing smoke, steam, and flame 30 feet into the air at the rear of the float. Roses, specialty anthuriums, several varieties of orchids, protea and heliconia were showcased, along with fresh bananas, pineapples, mangoes, papayas, peaches, strawberries and blueberries grown by Dole.

A pyrotechnic flame unit, high pressure water misting system, non-toxic smoke machine and a high volume, low bass sound system reproduced the look and sound of a live volcano. The 26-foot-high float used a hydraulic system to achieve realistic movements for the butterflies and leopards and to lower the elements to 16 feet to pass under low wires and the 201 Freeway bridge towards the end of the parade route.

Riders and outwalkers included designer Raul Rodriguez with his macaw Sebastian and girls attired in light Mexican muslin dresses. The Alma Tica Fold-Dance Group of San Bernardino, directed by Eduardo A. Valverde, danced beside the float as it rolled down Colorado Blvd.

For photos and detailed descriptions, click on the “list” link.

The theme of the 124th Rose Parade and 99th Rose Bowl Game was “Oh, the Places You’ll Go!” The Tournament of Roses is a celebration that lasts several weeks in the fall and winter, with the high points being the Rose Parade presented by Honda and the Rose Bowl Game presented by VIZIO on New Year’s Day. Keep following your Tournament of Roses Examiner for the latest news and for upcoming announcements.

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  • Dole won its third Sweepstakes Trophy in a row at the 2013 Rose Parade with a spectacular recreation of a tropical rainforest with an active volcano that spewed smoke, steam, and flames and fauna that included giant parrots, monkeys, leopards and butterflies.Orchids and other tropical flowers cascaded from the canopy, and the oozing magma of the volcano was created with 8,000 fluorescent orange roses.  Bananas, pineapples, mangoes, papayas, peaches, strawberries and blueberries grown by Dole were also used.
  • Fiesta Parade Floats designer Raul Rodriguez and his macaw Sebastian rode “Dreaming of Paradise,” the Dole entry in the 2013 Rose Parade.  A money peeks out of the ruins behind and a leopard stalks on a bed of protea and roses.  The three young ladies were lightly clad in typical tropical attire on a Pasadena morning where the temperature dipped to near-freezing.
  • Performing traditional Costa Rican dances, the Alma Tica Fold-Dance Group of the Costa Rican-American Cultural Center in San Bernardino, danced next to the 2013 Dole Rose Parade float, “Dreaming of Paradise.”  The group is directed by Eduardo A. Valverde.The float reflected the luxurious growth and rich culture of Latin American rainforests to honor on of the regions that provides Dole with tropical produce.
  • A 26-foot volcano with flowing magma of fluorescent orange roses spewed smoke, steam, and flames 30 feet into the air at the 2013 Rose Parade.  The entry, “Dreaming of Paradise” by Dole, was created by Fiesta Parade Floats.  President Tim Estes told KTLA that the volcano was added to the original rainforest design.A pyrotechnic flame unit, high pressure water misting system, non-toxic smoke machine and a high volume, low bass sound system reproduced the look and sound of a live volcano.  A hydraulic system lowered the volcano to 16 feet to pass under low wires and the 201 Freeway bridge towards the end of the parade route.
  • Three waterfalls added to the steamy, wet atmosphere of a tropical rainforest on the Dole 2013 Rose Parade float, “Dreaming of Paradise.”  Two flowed from the mouths of stone animals, and this one from underneath a spray of white anthurium.  The waterfalls recycled more than a thousand gallons of water.The builder, Fiesta Parade Floats, is a master at using water to enhance the atmosphere of a float or create entertaining entries.  It built the Natural Balance floats which featured skimboarding, dock-diving, and surfing dogs in the 2011 and 2012 parades.
  • Dancers from the Alma Tica Fold-Dance Group of the Costa Rican-American Cultural Center in San Bernardino add to the entertainment as they paraded along both sides of the Dole “Dreaming of Paradise” float in the 2013 Rose Parade.Float designers frequently add outwalkers to enhance the excitement, energy and experience of parade watchers.
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, Tournament of Roses Examiner

With 30 years of Rose Parade viewing under her belt, Laura Monteros knows the ropes when it comes to the Tournament of Roses. She's gone to the Rose Bowl game, decorated Rose Parade floats, stood on the street to watch, and organized grandstand seating for 635 people. And that's just the start....

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