Modest Rose Parade Float Wins Prize of Survival and New Purpose

The float that represented the city of Arcadia in Wednesday’s Tournament of Roses parade didn’t receive an official award.

But to members of Arcadia’s Tournament of Roses Assn., the modest pink, red and yellow-flowered float won for itself two prizes that may have been even more important: its long-term survival and a new purpose of being.

With declining membership rosters and a deficit of $20,000, a real danger existed that the privately funded association would not complete a float in time for the new year. But thanks to a last-minute outpouring of community support and an offer of help from a San Gabriel Valley medical organization, Arcadians saw their 85th consecutive Rose Parade float Wednesday and have been assured they will continue to have a float in the parade.

After publicity about the parade group’s plight earlier this year, Vince Foley, president of Arcadia’s Tournament of Roses Assn., heard from residents who were shocked to learn that the city government did not finance the float.

The association quickly received 270 membership applications, bringing the active membership to more than 400 and raising about $12,000.

One call Foley received was from National Childhood Cancer Foundation.

The foundation provided $20,000 to complete the 1997 float. In return, two representatives who have survived cancer, 8-year-olds Jeff Headley of San Dimas and Emily Valk of Mission Viejo, rode on the float, alongside five young women who represented Arcadia’s Rose Assn.

Details of the alliance between the two organizations will be finalized at a later date. However, Foley believes that the 1997 Rose Parade theme of “Life’s Shining Moments,” combined with young cancer survivors and an alliance with the foundation gave Arcadia’s float a higher purpose and relevance.