Centennial Rose Parade Float

Huntington Float Wins the Golden State Award for Most Outstanding Depiction of Life in California

For the first time in 50 years, The Huntington joined Pasadena’s world-famous Rose Parade® with a spectacular float, themed “Cultivating Curiosity,” capturing the spirit of The Huntington’s Centennial Celebration and winning the Golden State Award for most outstanding depiction of life in California. The float highlighted the institution’s rare research materials, inspiring art collections, and enchanting botanical gardens that have made it a beloved destination that welcomes 750,000 visitors each year.

Float Facts

“Cultivating Curiosity” featured elements from the Chinese and Japanese Gardens, artworks including Mary Cassatt’s “Breakfast in Bed,” Edward Hopper’s “The Long Leg,” and the Ellesmere Chaucer, all in floral form, along with a few Corpse Flowers emitting a “stinkless” fog!
The float measured 23 ft. high, 18 ft. wide, and 55 ft. long
59,617 flowers were used in its decoration, including petals, seeds, and items from The Huntington’s botanical gardens along with materials grown at The Huntington, such as Golden Barrel Cacti
“Cultivating Curiosity” appeared in position 38 of 88 floats in the parade
The float is the culmination of almost a year’s work, and the product of nearly 1,000 volunteers from each part of The Huntington: its staff, volunteers (including our dedicated teen volunteers), Members, Fellows, and friends and family.
Designed and built by Phoenix Decorating Company in Irwindale

Float Time Lapse

Float Riders

Two youth participants from The Huntington’s community partner programs with the Heart of Los Angeles (HOLA): Nana Ama Ampofo (age 17, downtown Los Angeles) and Giovanni Tellez (age 17, downtown Los Angeles)
Two youth participants from The Huntington’s community partner programs with the Pablove Foundation: Aaryan Andreev-Jain (age 13, Glendale) and Tessa Krause (age 15, Inglewood)
Huntington President Karen R. Lawrence
Two lucky staff members who won a staff-wide raffle: Alfred Torres and Javier Vasquez
Leadership donor and member of The Huntington’s Board of Governors Mei-Lee Ney

Float Walkers

Six walkers followed the float, including five of The Huntington’s teen volunteers and one adult supervisor:

Max Liu, Oak Avenue Intermediate School, Temple City, CA, Class of 2020
Ella Minton, Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy, La Cañada Flintridge, CA, Class of 2022
Claudio Reynoso, Marshall Fundamental School, Pasadena, CA, Class of 2020
Ava Slocum, San Marino High School, San Marino, CA, Class of 2020
Cameron Yu, Temple City High School, Temple City, CA, Class of 2023