City council votes to give Downey Rose Float $30K annually

Downey Rose Float Association members receive a certificate of appreciation from Mayor Claudia Frometa on Jan. 10, 2023.

DOWNEY – The Downey Rose Float Association’s annual $30,000 entry fee in the Tournament of Roses Parade will now be covered by the city of Downey, council members decided Tuesday.

The Downey Rose Float is one of only six self-built floats to participate in the Rose Parade, held in Pasadena on New Year’s Day.

Participating in the parade costs $30,000, not including the cost to build the float itself.

On Tuesday, the city council voted to create an annual subsidy to cover the entry fee.

The city council gave the Rose Float $30,000 last year. The organization also leases property at 7631 Gardendale Street from Los Angeles County and is not charged rent for use of the site.

The Rose Float raises about $65,000 to $100,000 annually, depending on the size and scope of the float. Their fundraisers include a 4th of July fireworks stand that brings in about $25,000, a “Parade of Winners” raffle that generates $10,000 to $15,000, and the Miss Downey Pageant, which raises between $15,000 and $22,000.

Of the six organizations that enter self-built, non-commercial floats in the Rose Parade, Downey officials contacted four to determine if they receive city funding.

The City of La Canada Flintridge gave $15,000 last year and South Pasadena allocated $1,000 for the purchase of flowers. Sierra Madre gives no money to its rose float association. Burbank receives approximately $54,000 annually from Burbank Water and Power.

“We, as a city, take great pride in this float and we look for it every year on January 1 as it goes down Colorado Boulevard,” said Mayor Claudia M. Frometa. “It is important for us to step up and support it and not just support it by word but by putting it in our budget as a line item.

“Needless to say, I’m fully supportive of this.”

The final vote was 3-0 with Councilman Hector Sosa absent. The $30,000 will be deducted from the Parks & Recreation general fund.

“I don’t want this beautiful program to ever leave Downey,” said Mayor Pro Tem Mario Trujillo. “I want to cement it for eternity so my grandchildren will get to know who the Downey Rose Float Association is.”