Burbank
Tournament of Roses Association presents the 67th entry for the City of Burbank.
A reflection of the century is presented as
two young children explore the treasures collected in "Grandma's
Attic". We take a trip into the past and experience treasured
memories - music, fashion, heirlooms. These wonderful moments give us feelings
of warmth, family and love that will never grow old.
FLOWERING:
Bordered
in vibrant Star 2000 roses, a peach carnation quilt, with floral patterns
in deep orange roses and purple Tulip Antheriums, cascades from a packing
crate of carrot seed.
Seated atop a lettuce seed and silver leaf milkcan,
the grandson, dressed in an aviator style cap of magnolia leaves, baseball
jersey in yellow marigold petals and white strawflower, and knickers of red
strawflower, cranks the arm on the vintage victrola of Black Japonica.
The family dog of white pampas grass
and honey-brown corn silk sits on an oval rug of Christmas, pinto,
black, fava, lima and northern beans.
Grandma,
wearing a detailed dress of light lavender mums and cattleya orchids, peeks
through the trap door every time she checks on the children.
A candelabrum of alfalfa seed and lunaria
sits on the mahogany ti leaf table. The sewing machine is seaweed with
a gold leaf pattern in popcorn, button mums and marigold petals.
Granddaughter,
in a wide brim raffia hat with fresh floral, models one of grandma's old dresses
of blue statice with pink and yellow rose buds. She stands on a tufted rug
of cauliflower, broccoflower and broccoli.
Grandma's trunk is eucalyptus leaf; brass
fittings are alfalfa seed and pulverized bronze strawflower. A treasured quilt
spills over the side of the trunk. Edged in red and white carnations,
the quilt depicts outlines of the five states that joined the union in the
20th century.
Hanging above the trunk is a Tiffany style
lamp in a repeated pattern of tulip petals.
The treasures explored by the children in Grandma's
Attic are set within the clapboards of ground yellow peas under the
redwood shingled roof. The interior is sesame seed with rustic
beams of crushed walnut shell.
A tree of eucalyptus bark adorned in
lavender/purple dendrobium orchids graces the back of grandma's home.
ANIMATION:
The record
spins as the boy cranks the handle on the vintage victrola to play music of
the 20's, 30's and 40's.
The dog tilts his head and wags his tail to
the music.
Grandma raises and lowers through the trap door
as she peeks into the attic to check on the grandchildren.
A forklift mast mechanism lowers the roof to
clear obstacles (freeway overpass, etc.).
INNOVATIONS USED IN BUILDING THIS FLOAT:
To provide
a life-like appearance, carved foam is used for heads and hands.
Burbank Tournament of Roses Association recycles
float mechanisms by using the forklift mast from the castle on the 1993 float,
"Medieval Adventure", to lower the roof for overhead obstacles.
HUMAN INTEREST ITEMS:
One of
only 6 self-built floats, every element of design, construction and decoration
is provided entirely by volunteers. Volunteers work year round soliciting
funds, equipment, advanced technology and methods from local businesses, and
sell souvenirs such as T-shirts, pins and patches to help raise additional
funding.
Several foam carving classes were provided to
Association members who then carved the heads, hands, sewing machine, boots,
dolls and other toys.
The drive engine and animation engine operate
on clean-burning propane fuel.
The float tires are foam filled to prevent flat
tires.
Scout groups decorated the oval rug with a variety
of beans, each glued on one by one.
Music found on records of the 20's, 30's and
40's is played on the vintage victrola.
"Grandma's Attic"
is designed by member Wayne Poirier. Something he always wanted to do, winning
the Association's open float design contest is a "dream come true".
Additional information, including the history
of Burbank Tournament of Roses Association, can be found on our web site,
www.burbankrosefloat.com.
FLOAT RIDERS:
There are no float riders on this float.
