For decades the LCFTRA has built entries for the Tournament of Roses Parade that make their city proud.

 By Mary O’KEEFE

It takes almost 1,000 volunteers each year to bring the La Cañada Flintridge Rose Parade float from concept to Colorado Boulevard.

The La Cañada Flintridge Tournament of Roses Association (LCFTRA) 2023 Rose Parade entry, titled Secondhand Shenanigans, is one of six self-built floats in the parade. Self-built floats are those built by non-profit, all volunteer organizations that design, construct and decorate the entry – and raise funds for the float.

The 2023 Rose Parade theme is Turning the Corner. The LCFTRA entry focuses on the corner being turned by students graduating from high school and continuing their journey into adulthood, according Ernest Koeppen, LCFTRA president.

“We have a high school graduate turning the corner of life and preparing for the next step in going away to college,” Koeppen described the entry. “As our graduate leaves, all of the old toys are put out for a yard sale and a young family of rambunctious raccoons happen by and take advantage of the opportunity to play and raise shenanigans with their newfound treasure.”

Each year people enter a contest to design the LCFTRA float. Once that design is chosen it is really all hands on deck.

        “It was a collaborative effort,” Koeppen said of the Secondhand Shenanigans float. “Once we receive the ideas from the design contest, we select a number of designs and then modify them to best fit into the theme. Then, with three of our final choices and designs, we go to Tournament House on a particular day, [Tournament House representatives] pick a number out of a hat and all builders present their designs.”

The reason they bring multiple designs is so they’re ready for a quick exchange if their idea, or design, is too similar to another that is presented before they get their turn.

Many think the Association begins the float building process in December because that’s when the float can be seen under the 210 Freeway near Hampton Road and Foothill Boulevard but it takes a year to get ready.

        “The concept [phase] begins now,” Koeppen said.

The 2024 Rose Parade Float Design Contest for LCFTRA is in full swing with applications due by Jan. 8, 2023.

“This is an ongoing yearlong project; concept and design due by March, engineering and deconstruction of the previous year’s float from January through May. The Memorial Day Parade is a dry run of the empty and serviced chassis, followed by the build from May through December. Finally during the last two weeks of the year it’s the big decoration to get the freshest floral on and beautiful right before judging on New Year’s Eve day,” Koeppen said. “And of course the parade down Colorado [Boulevard] where we proudly are part of the country’s New Year’s celebration.”