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| FLOAT THEME: |
Festival of Flowers
The City of Torrance salutes their Sister City, Kashiwa, Japan, in this artistic floral depiction celebrating Sakura Matsuri (Cherry Blossom Festival) where, since ancient times, the people of Japan have celebrated the Cherry Blossom Festivals and O-hanami (flower viewing) enjoyed by both the young and young at heart.
The arrival of Spring in Japan, a time when fanciful flowers and cherry blossoms awaken in dazzling color after a long winter’s rest, is cause for celebrations and festivals held throughout the country to mark the changing of the seasons. For centuries, the Japanese have depicted beautiful flowers in songs, writings and paintings, but the blossoms of the magnificent cherry trees are held in the highest reverence with O-hanami (flower viewing) allowing revelers to travel throughout the regions, following the blooming trees.
In celebration of the 35th Anniversary of friendship between City of Torrance and their Sister City, Kashiwa Japan, Torrance salutes the Festival of Flowers held throughout Japan with their 2008 Tournament of Roses Parade entry. |
| FLOAT BUILDER: |
Fiesta Parade Floats c/o Beverly Stansbury |
| FLOAT DESCRIPTION: |
Height: 21 Feet
Width: 18 Feet
Length: 35 Feet
Beneath blossoming cherry trees, Japan, known as the Land of Flowers, celebrates the arrival of spring and the spirit of the season. The beauty of the county is highlighted in this floral salute to the city of Kashiwa, Torrance’s Sister City. A torri gate at the entrance of the flourishing floral garden frames an elaborately costumed Kabuki dancer. Colorful butterflies, lanterns and ornately decorated fans flank the dancer. Sculptured lotus blossoms and koi fish float in a tranquil floral pond beneath the Japanese footbridge.
Spring is in the air and all of Japan delights in the splendor and extravagant of the Flower Festivals throughout the regions. Flower viewing is both a cultural and entertainment event where spring is celebrated with festivals including dances, concerts, plays and picnics among families and friends beneath the blossoming cherry trees. |
| FLOWERING: |
Cherry trees laden in thousands of pink and white dendrobium orchids cascade over manicured gardens of over 10,000 coral Donna and peach Osianna roses. The float is framed in an unique Ikebana floral design armature grid created by weaving bamboo river cane, meyeri foxtail fern, steel grass and natural raffia over pieces of cork bark.
The Kabuki dancer is dressed in a kimono embroidered in a creative combination of chrysanthemums and carnations with golden clover seeds and strawflower petals highlighting the intricate detail patterns of pink sinuata staice, fresh kumquats and cranberries with squash seed rosettes. The oversized sculptured lotus flowers of crisp white coconut feature golden Sensation roses. Majestic butterflies come alive with broad wings made from petals of yellow and gold strawflower petals, with accents of blue sinuata statice, orange marigold, luminous lunaria and glossy black seaweed.
Silk fans of ironed cornhusk and creamy sesame seed have patterns crafted in Vanda orchid petals, pink sinuata statice, orange Chinese lanterns with green split peas and mung beans. The torri gate and bridge are crafted in red safflower spice with accents eucalyptus leaves, dehydrated red bell pepper and gold strawflower petals. Two magnificent roosters with individual feathers cut from black ang green seaweed, ironed cornhusk, skeletal leaves and mahogany til leaves are proudly perched high in the trees. |
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