Cunard - Rose Parade Float-Out: A Grand Celebration At Sea (Part 2)

In early December, the second and final test drive for Cunard's Rose Parade float took place in the early hours one Saturday morning at Fiesta Parade Floats in Irwindale, California. Officials, mechanics and technicians from the Tournament of Roses were on-hand to inspect all of the design and safety specifications required for this "float-out" when the superstructure was carefully maneuvered out of the warehouse before its final test drive on the quiet streets of the commercial site located approx 50 miles from Cunard's North American headquarters. Among the 11 floats being built by Fiesta Parade Floats is Cunard's inaugural entry in the parade, entitled A Grand Celebration at Sea. The float will feature various aspects of the grand celebration experience onboard Cunard's three Queen ocean liners, including a big band and ballroom dancing. On this morning, the float was still bare of the flowers that will cover its surfaces on 1 January for the 122nd Tournament of Roses Parade. One of those in attendance was Terry Miller, a photo journalist from the Pasadena Independent newspaper. Mr. Miller's interest in covering the building of Cunard's parade float goes deeper than journalism. He's one of the hundreds of thousands of people who actually emigrated to America aboard Cunard's Queen Mary, now a permanent floating hotel and maritime attraction in Long Beach, CA.