Rose Parade 2012!

     This year was my 21st year working on the Rose Parade. Every year I am excited to begin the challenge of decoration week, though this year was more challenging than previous years in a different way. I came into the 100 hour work week already tired from holiday hubbub and end of the year freelance gigs. Additionally, this year I was training a new supervisor and did not have the ultra experienced co-supervisor to lean on. I very much enjoyed training my new co-supervisor and felt confident in my abilities throughout most of the crazy week. The only thing lacking for me this year besides my physical energy was the lack of artistic input I had on the decoration the float. Given that I was made the head cheese of my float for the first time and I was training my co-supervisor, the level of difficulty was perfect for the both of us. It was a very manageable float, and in the end I think that is why I found myself a little bored this year. This year was about people, management and the volunteer's experience and less about the art. The art is what has always feed my passion for the Rose Parade. The large scale of the production and the beauty and artistry of the float is always amazing.
     Though this year the art was less satisfying for me I still learned many lessons about team and project management, working with corporate clients and teaching volunteers decoration skills while still having fun. The 2012 Rode Parade may not have been what I thought it would be for myself, but it was still a rewarding experience.

Stop and Smell the Roses

     Well, I had gotten behind on this blog over the past couple months since I have been busy with nothing but new change, both personal and professional. 2011 has already proven that it will be one heck of a year for me with a lot of busyness and excitement that will be all about building a new foundation for the future and creating memories that will hopefully last a life time. I have high hopes for this year!

   With new beginnings and looking ahead as my interest for this post, to me, nothing celebrates this theme more than New Year's. New Years is my favorite holiday. It is all about celebrating with your loved ones and looking ahead with optimism to the coming year's opportunities. The most exciting thing about it for me is working on the Rose Parade.

    Decorating Rose Parade floats has been my annual tradition and this past year, 2011, marks my 20th year! For the last few years have have been working as a decoration supervisor, executing the decoration of one float from bald to work of art. In a given day I could be managing anywhere from 50 to 100 volunteers, who are usually inexperienced. Supervising the decoration involves great attention to time management, training your volunteers one by one and using creativity to produce the best looking float possible. Even though there is only one week to decorate the float and the deadline is strict, decorating Rose Parade floats is also very much about having fun and creating a sense of team and community.

    "Building Dreams, Friendships & Memories" was the theme for this past year. Working on the Discover Card float definitely made this theme feel appropriate. We won the Grand Marshal award for "excellence in creative concept and design." This year proved to be just as exciting as previous years especially considering I had a great time working with a wonderful co supervisor and very dedicated volunteers. Looking ahead to next year's parade, 2012's theme is "Just Imagine...". There's sure to be some excellent designs again next year!

 

Missed the parade?  Click Here to View the Float in action on parade day.


To see the float built and decorated from start to finish, Click Here.