Rose float design is set

Members of the Burbank Tournament of Roses Assn. are already well prepared for the 119th annual Rose Parade in 2008, with a float design and a bigger space in which to build it.

The association has finalized its design for its entry into the parade — a float called "Oktoberfest," depicting flute-playing squirrels and a merry German beer maiden serving a man in front of a cottage.

Character designs, color scheme and about 90% of the required flower orders have been made and finalized while the chassis of the 45-foot-long float is in construction, said Isabel Adams, the association's board secretary.

And the new building space is facilitating the creation of the design.

Even though the grand opening of the float association's roomier building and decorating space on Olive Avenue is planned for July 24, float builders have already moved in, said John Hames, Burbank Tournament of Roses Assn. president.

"The city is actually putting their communications center in the building we were in," Hames said, referring to the association's former space in the city's public service yard. "The old building, the way the rafters were in it, we could only build a float that was about 20 feet tall," he said. "Now we can build a float that is 35 feet tall."

Even though they have the option, float designers are not taking it to the 35-foot limit this year with their entry, which the association raised $100,000 to build.

"We're not going take it that high this year, but we plan to in the near future," he said. "We got a late start on construction this year because of moving in."

Not much has changed in the way of size from this year's float to last year's, Hames said. But the parade route's viewers will be seeing an addition to the Burbank entry that they have not before That will come in the form of a live band on the float and a dancer on the ground who will accompany the float.

The association is taking applications for a six- to eight-member German oompah-style band to play live on the float for the entire 5 1/2 -mile stretch of the parade route, Adams said.

They are also looking for eight people to volunteer their time and their feet to dance the polka and be jovial alongside the float at the same time, Adams said.

An extra two places for dancing and walking alongside the float will be auctioned off online, she said.

"We will be looking at their energy and their abilities and can they really dance for 5 miles," she said. The association will continue fundraising with a pancake breakfast in October and monthly 25% proceed donations from participating Domino's Pizza revenues.

The deadline for band applications is July 28 and the deadline for people who want to walk and polka alongside the float is Aug. 4.

For more information on Burbank's Tournament of Roses float, visit www.burbankrosefloat.com.