2004 Rose Bowl parade
Floats sponsored by Companies
“Golden Oldies” was chosen to represent the idea that your old glasses are like gold to someone in an underdeveloped part of the world. A gigantic pair of spectacle frames are presented with images of the world map. At the front and rear of the float are individual rotating lenses that depict people who have been helped by LensCrafters’ “Gift of Sight” program which provides eye exams and glasses to people in need in North America and around the world. The oversized eyeglass frames — weighing approximately one ton each — are created with yellow, brown and white strawflower and silverleaf. The floragraphs at the front and rear of the float are made up of varied spices, herbs and seeds.
Centuries ago Pythagoras’ “Music of the Spheres” philosophy brought the discipline of mathematics to the creativity of music —and today Boeing Company brings this approach colorfully to Rose Parade viewers. Pythagoras, who dominates the float, is created with a variety of spices and ground organic materials, and his hair and beard feature pampas grass curly seaweed and palm fiber In his hands is a gyroscope created with various shades of strawflower, rice and coconut. The ratios in the gyroscope are those of a major musical scale. The fiery space trails at the rear of the float are made up of roses, carnations, iris and chrysanthemums.
Music of the U.S.
first unit
second unit
third unit
forth unit
fifth unit
U.S. Bank’s first Rose Parade float salutes the rich and diverse music of the U.S. This five-unit float, totaling 150 feet in length, has a little musical-something for everyone’s taste. The patriotic lead unit sets the stage for the four musical scenes of the U.S. that follow. as American flags create the backdrop for the U.S. map made of solid roses. Gardens in thousands of red Mercedes roses visually connect all five units with additional rose varieties used to coordinate with the color scheme of each individual musical float. The U.S. Bank floats are decorated in floral materials available in all 24 states in which U.S. Bank branches are located.
A Sudden Drop in Pitch
This float — the tallest in Rose Parade history at nearly 100 feet —depicts the “The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror" attraction which is coming to Disney’s California Adventure park this spring. The animated scene — with live shuddering passengers riding its shaky and unpredictable elevator — is inspired by the classic CBS television series The Twilight Zone . The rich golden tones of over fifty varieties of seeds and spices create the subtle shifts of color in the towering building with the windows reflecting a sky of blue and purple statice blossoms. The soaring track of the roller coaster is crafted of bright pink roses with a Mickey Mouse profile fashioned of soft pink iris.
Whistle While You Work
A traditional barn raising has been a classic element of Americana for centuries — and from the very start, hard working volunteers knew that the job could he musically enhanced when you “Whistle While You Work.” The walls actually rise on this 55-foot long, 30-foot tall barn as the structure and the workers will move along the Rose Parade route. A special element of the decoration on this float is the “Orange Passion Rose” which was developed exclusively for the Home Depot.
A Symphony of Life
Proudly making their first Rose Parade appearance, Coalition on Donation offers a special interpretation of this year's musical theme. In this scene, family members of donors and transplant recipients walk together across a garden bridge decorated with rice and seeds. The water, created with blue and white irises, contains swans made from rice and coconut whose faces feature a combination of seeds herbs and spices.
“Troubled Waters” gush and spew as this entry from Roto-Rooter Plumbers “floats” along the Rose Parade route. A number of plumbing problems plague residents as they are washed from their home while still in an easy chair, at the grand piano, in the tub and even perched on a spinning commode created from crushed and powdered white rice. A rising tide of floral water, which is actually blue and white iris and gypsophilia, rushes out of the chimney, front and rear doors, and real water cascades from four of the second floor windows. Parade viewers can take heart, however, as help is on the way. Completing the scene are window boxes accented by floral bouquets and gardens containing various roses and orchids.
Little Old Lady from Pasadena
The “Little Old Lady from Pasadena” is at the wheel of her hot
rod once again, heading down Colorado Boulevard. The hot rod, created with red,
yellow and orange carnations, features an engine decorated with silver leaf,
poppy seed and herbs, as well as tires of black seaweed. The food basket
features a structure of corn husks that is filled with sculpted bread, fruit and
produce from Trader Joe’s markets. Granny’s face is made up of a variety of
spices, her lei is created from orchids, and her hat is made from ti leaves. The
garden of the float features roses, orchids, haliconia, birds of paradise,
anthurium, larkspur, gerbera daisies — and as noted in the lyrics of the Jan and
Dean song — gardenia (it almost rhymes with Pasadena).
Let me Call You Sweetheart
The Longaberger Company takes great pride in presenting their first Rose Parade float, “Let Me Call You Sweetheart.” The simple pleasures of life, love and romance comie alive through flowers and music as sweethearts woo their admirers amidst the floral gardens. Lush trees of orange and yellow roses, white cattleya orchids and bright yellow Oncidium orchids cascade above summertime gardens. Shades of coral and pink roses including Marlysse, Movie Star, Peekaboo, Charming, Vogue, Ravel, Princess and Neon, complete the scene. The basket weave lattice on the lower section of the handstand is fashioned after the tight and precise weave of Longaberger Baskets themselves.
Bayer Advanced Garden presents an animated garden — depicted with the greatest variety of flowers and plants in the 2004 Rose Parade. The vibrant scene features rock ‘n’ roll in the ultimate rock music garden with every element on the float playing an instrument, singing or enjoying the show A gigantic rose establishes the tempo on mushroom drums, a pair of colorful zinnias play bass guitar and daffodils play lead guitar and a soulful sax, joined by a quartet of roses as blossoming backup singers. The sunflower spotlights spin and scan the crowd of actively motivated fans.
Unit descriptions taken from material supplied by the Pasadena Tournament of Roses in their parade program.
