January 1, 2011 marked the Rotary Rose Parade Float Committee’s 32nd consecutive entry in the Tournament of Roses Parade. The Rotary International float is the largest public relations project of the Rotary clubs of the United States and Canada. The first Rotary float was entered in 1924. The theme of the 2011 parade was “Building Dreams, Friendships, and Memories.” Rotary’s float closely paralleled this theme through the use of 2010-2011 RI President’s theme: “Building Communities, Bridging Continents.”
The float is not a project of RI nor are any RI funds used in the building or promotion of the float. Rotary’s ability to enter a float is dependent solely on the generosity of Rotarians and friends. A multi-district Rotary committee in southern California coordinates planning of the float. Rotarians, Rotaractors, Interactors, families and friends work on the float. These volunteers come from the US, Canada, and occasionally other countries. Over 800 volunteers will donate in excess of 6,000 hours of their time. Rotary entries have won several prizes over the years.
Traditionally, the RI President has attended the festivities, and this year will be no exception.
The famous Pasadena parade is in its 122nd year and seen by an estimated 300 million people in more than 200 countries. Every year, a member of the Goleta Noontime Rotary Club organizes a trip to the Pasadena area for local Rotarians to work on this float.