Coloring a Rose Float
Despite the heavy rain, four days before the 2026 New Year, a group of mostly volunteers gathered for an evening shift in a warehouse in Irwindale, Calif., to take part in the beloved annual tradition of decorating Rose Parade floats. At this stage of the process, the skeletons of the imagined pieces have already been formed from painted foam. Workers’ duties mostly involve gluing organic materials onto the colored surfaces, while others cut flower petals and other organic materials to create more “paint.”
By New Year's Day, every inch of the outer layer of each sculpture will be covered with only organic materials like flowers, seeds, beans, rice, leaves, bark, fruits and vegetables. Fresh flowers will be installed last. On New Year's Eve, the finished floats will make the 15-mile drive from Irwindale to Orange Grove Boulevard, Pasadena for their grand debut.
Ronnie Espolt traveled from as far as Apple Valley. He began working on and decorating the float in 2009 and hasn’t missed a year since. Anna Meyer, meanwhile, is participating for the first time along with her friend. This year, both are working on the City of Alhambra float.
As the rain finally stops, the warehouse closes the night shift at 9 p.m., and the workers head home. Espolt, after hours of cutting and picking flower petals, makes the long drive back to Apple Valley and prepares to return for another day until the floats are done.