NAR Centennial Tournament of Roses Parade Float
One of America’s greatest New Year’s Day traditions, the Tournament of Roses Parade is seen by one out of every four U.S. households, and in more than 150 international territories. This year, viewers enjoyed a float sponsored by the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®, wrapping up the association's Centennial year of celebrations in style and reinforcing positive messages about REALTORS® and housing.
The inspiration for the NAR float was the Swiss Family Robinson by Johann David Wyss. As the story goes, the family was shipwrecked on a deserted island. Rather than give up, they pulled together to build a unique home among the trees. The home became their strength and solace.
The NAR float used this concept to highlight the true value of homeownership and how important the home is to families today. The design was a creative representation of the Swiss Family Robinson’s home among the trees.
View a rendering of the parade float > (PDF: 162KB)
We hope you were able to watch the parade on January 1, and saw the premiere of your 2009 Public Awareness Campaign commercials.
Parade Float "Behind the Scenes" Webisodes
In celebration of the float and what it means to NAR and our members, we are featuring five webisodes capturing “behind-the-scenes” footage of the parade float's design, construction, and participation in the Tournament of Roses Parade. There is a new webisode each week, through January. View all webisodes >
Episodes 1 to 4 - “Behind the Scenes”
1. Float Design and Meaning to NAR
2. Float Construction
3. History/Information About the Parade Float Flowers
4. The Day Before – Judging, Parade Logistics, and REALTOR® Participation
Episode 5 - “The Big Reveal”
Time lapse of float build and application of flowers; interviews with NAR representatives, float riders, and NAR members in the crowd; and the Rose Bowl party.
To get the word out about the webisodes, post these promotional banner ads to your Association's Web site. Select the size and version you like and instruct your Webmaster to link to www.realtor.org/about_nar/nar_centennial/parade_webisodes, where members can view the webisodes.
More on the Parade and Float
Learn more about the Pasadena Tournament of Roses at www.tournamentofroses.com.
Tournament of Roses Parade Information on Wikipedia >
NAR President Dick Gaylord's June 24 podcast discussed plans for the parade float. Listen to the podcast >
Rose Parade Court
First row, left to right: Rose Queen Courtney Lee and Tournament of Roses President, Corky Conzonire
Second row: Daryl De Falla, NAR Float Aid; Raul Rodriquez (with Sebastian), NAR Float Designer; Rita Sahlein; Peggy Vaccaro, NAR Float Liaison; and Tim Estes, NAR Float Builder
Top row: The Rose Parade Court - Mary Gaule, Jasmine Jenkins, Bridget McDonald, Molly Novell, Lauren Valenzuela and Quinn Young
