Designs sought for Downey’s 2016 float

DOWNEY – The Downey Rose Float Association is accepting design submissions for its float entry in the 2016 Rose Parade. The parade theme is “Find Your Adventure.” Drawings need to be on 8 1/2 x 11 paper in black and white only (no color), and any information should be put on the back.

Drawings can be submitted by email to downey.rose.float@gmail.com, mailed to P.O. Box 765, Downey, CA 90241 by Jan. 27, or brought to the general meeting. on Jan. 28.

Voting will take place at the general meeting, which begins at 7 p.m. at the Barbara J. Riley Community and Senior Center.

Downey’s 2015 float, titled “Home for the Holidays,” won the National Trophy for “Best Depiction of Life in U.S.A. – Past, Present or Future.”

Built by a small army of volunteers and entirely self-funded, the float was the Downey Rose Float Association’s 63rd consecutive entry in the Rose Parade, which was themed “Inspiring Stories.”

The Downey Rose Float Association has a long history with the Tournament of Roses. In 1913, it submitted its first entry into the parade and again in 1920 where they took fourth place.

In 1952, a talented group of citizens founded the Downey Rose Float Association (DRFA for short) and incorporated in 1954. Continuously since 1955 this group of citizens has worked to enter a float in the Tournament of Roses Parade on New Year’s Day.

Downey’s entry has the distinction of being one of only six floats which come under the parade classification of self-built. This classification means that Downey’s float is completely financed, constructed and decorated by volunteer contributions and help.

The worldwide publicity received by the city through participation in the Tournament of Rose Parade on New Year’s Day and the awards won have aided in establishing Downey as a desirable community in which to live, work and have a business, organizers said.

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Published: Jan. 22, 2015 - Volume 13 - Issue 41