The whimsical design for the South Pasadena Tournament of Roses float that will debut in the Jan. 1 Rose Parade has been chosen and its title is called “Boogie Fever.”
The artist’s rendering depicts five joyful animals holding musical instruments. A smiling giraffe grasps a tambourine in its mouth. An elephant’s trunk has been transformed into a horn instrument. A happy orangutan plays bongo drums. A toucan shakes a pair of maracas. A snake is poised to start spinning a record on an old-fashioned player with other vinyl platters beside it. They are all on a lush bed of colorful tropical flowers and plants.
“The design was chosen from dozens of entries submitted by a variety of individuals from kindergarten students to senior citizens,” said Ed Donnelly, president of the South Pasadena Tournament of Roses Committee.
“The design committee studied each of them and ultimately landed on a brilliant concept submitted by Anne Muller,” he said. “Renee Hoss-Johnson took Anne’s sketch and created a vibrant rendering, as well as a practical guide that we can follow to build the float that you will see rolling down Colorado Boulevard in January.”
“Boogie Fever” is the name of a No. 1 hit song from 1975 by the Sylvers, a Los Angeles-based group. The animals are jamming along with the recorded song.
SPTOR has obtained the rights to play the tune royalty-free during the parade, according to committee members.
“Boogie Fever” reflects the Tournament of Roses’ Parade theme of “Celebrating a World of Music: the Universal Language.”
Construction of the float has already begun under a massive tent in the parking lot of the War Memorial Building. To inquire about volunteering on the construction crew, email construction@sptor.org.
Those interested in volunteering for the deco (decoration) squad can obtain information under the “volunteer” tab at sptor.org and can sign up for shifts that start Saturday, Oct. 7.
The city’s entry is completely self-built. Volunteers build and decorate the float. They also sponsor events to raise the $140,000 needed annually to pay expenses. To donate, visit sptor.org.
First published in the September 22 print issue of the South Pasadena Review.
