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A Rose is a Rose is a Rose Parade Float

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Contributed by: Margie Ramey on 12/23/2007

Thanks to the Simi Valley and Santa Susana Kiwanis Clubs, Simi Valley Aktion Club members shared an experience they might not otherwise have had an opportunity to. On December 8th and December 15th, approximately 15 Aktion Clubbers were escorted to Pasadena by their Kiwanis Club mentors for the opportunity to work on, not only the Kiwanis International Floats, but other floats that will be seen in the 2008 Rose Parade. Under the direction of Aktion Club Advisor Roberta Leap, members joined with hundreds of other parade float volunteers at the Rosemont Pavilion, cutting and blending flowers and pasting them, along with rice and seeds, onto various floats and float signs.

The Trader Joe's float sign was one of their finest accomplishments and sponsors of that float honored the members who worked on it with a commemorative 'Trader Joe's 2008 Rose Parade' pin. When members rise early on January 1st, they will all be smiling proudly as they watch the 80 foot long masterpiece being guided by Don Harris, a 33 year parade veteran, pass by the television cameras.

An added treat for Aktion Club members who participated on December 8th, was the opportunity to see the actual insides of the Honda float titled, "Passport to the Future". A representative from The Phoenix Decorating Company, the largest builder of Rose Parade floats, opened the hidden door to expose the crowded 'innards' of the float, where the drivers, observers, sound technicians, animators and pyrotechnicians are concealed inside the massive float. Driving the Honda float this year in what promises to be a show-stopping experience, will be Roger Thomas in his 29th parade.

The Simi Valley Kiwanis Hot Dog Wagon, which has been at the Rosemont Pavilion site each day it's been open in December, accommodates the hungry parade volunteers with their infamous breakfast burritos, hotdogs and hamburgers, and lot's of coffee, hot chocolate and soda to keep them going all those long hours, and will continue to be there right up until 11:00 pm on New Years Eve.

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