News
Inside the Floral Magic of the Rose Parade
January 20, 2026
By Gracie Alvarez CFD, AFE Digital Marketing and Project Specialist
This January, I had the opportunity to volunteer as a floral designer for the 137th Tournament of Roses Parade in the (normally!) bright and sunny Pasadena, California. While this year’s weather had other plans in store, the experience was an incredible chance to be a part of our floral community in action, get a behind-the-scenes look at one of the most iconic and historic floral events in the country, and see firsthand the teamwork that makes it all possible.
The Rose Parade first began on January 1, 1890, in Pasadena, California as a way to showcase Southern California’s warm winter climate and blooming flowers. What started with flower-decorated carriages and sporting events has grown into the large-scale parade we know today, which features elaborate floats, marching bands, dancers, performers, and equestrian units. The tradition expanded even further in 1902 with the addition of the Rose Bowl football game.
In the days between Christms and New Years leading up to the parade, floral designers from across the country gather to bring the floats to life with larger-than-life floral arrangements. I was fortunate to be on the floral team for the Explore Louisiana float, Gulf to Gumbo, which celebrated Louisiana’s culture, cuisine, and hardworking communities. When the floral designers arrive on site, hundreds of hours have already been put into each float to create the mechanics, structures, and add some of the vibrant colors. Volunteers from near and far also gather to help bring the floats to the finish line, decorating them by-hand with natural materials and water-tubed flowers.
One of the most interesting aspects I learned about the Rose Parade is how the floats are decorated with these natural materials. Every surface of the floats must be covered entirely in natural materials – meaning not just fresh flowers, but also plant seeds, bark, beans, grasses, and moss to create color, texture, and fine detail. Dried flower petals like marigolds and statice are ground down and carefully applied to achieve vibrant golds, oranges, and purples. Cranberry seeds make a vibrant red color, coconut flakes create a textured white color, and brown sesame seeds create a woody brown. Seeing these techniques up close was especially interesting from a floral industry perspective and highlighted just how versatile fresh materials can be with a little creativity!
Louisiana’s float featured a giant pelican chef, stirring a pot of gumbo filled with shrimp, crab, crawfish, and Gulf Coast vegetables, while a shrimp boat led the way to honor the seafood industry that supports so many livelihoods in the state. Each piece exemplified collaboration, from the fishermen and shrimpers to the chefs and culture bearers who define the state’s identity. This year’s float even made history this year with its inclusion of real oyster shells, brought all the way from Louisiana to be added to the shore. Working on the Rose Parade felt like a living example of this year’s theme, The Magic in Teamwork.
Hundreds of volunteers, designers, builders, and organizers worked together around the clock to make the parade possible. This experience reminded me how closely this concept mirrors the floral industry as a whole. At AFE, we see this every day through our research partnerships, Board of Trustees, scholarship reviewer volunteers, internship and educational program hosts, and the many more supporters and donors who chip in to make our mission possible. It shows how progress in our industry doesn’t happen in isolation; it happens because people are willing to work together, share knowledge, contribute time, and work toward common goals.
When the Rose Parade floats finally rolled down Colorado Boulevard on New Year’s Day, the sense of teamwork and pride was undeniable. Despite the rainy conditions, this was the first year since 2006 that it has rained on the parade in Pasadena! The parade was a success and a powerful reminder and example to me of what incredible things we can achieve when we work together.
