News Release
ALASKA FLOAT PASSES INSPECTION WITH FLYING COLORS
Irwindale, Calif. – Dec. 9, 2008 – Field testing of the “Alaska – Spirit of the Wild” float slated for the Tournament of Roses parade on Jan. 1, 2009, took place last week at the Fiesta Parade Floats warehouse in Irwindale, Calif. Sponsored by the Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau and partners, the float is a tribute to Alaska’s 50th anniversary of statehood. Tournament of Roses committee heads representing float construction, mechanics and operations reviewed more than 800 items to ensure the float met Tournament of Roses standards for size and safety. The Alaska float is one of 12 floats in the 2009 Rose Parade being constructed by Fiesta Parade Floats.
“We measure, review safety equipment, check drive trains and engines – basically inspect every aspect of the float to ensure it meets rigid standards set by the Tournament of Roses,” said Gary Floyd, a 17-year Tournament of Roses volunteer and 2009 barn chief for Irwindale float building facility. “Each float is assigned a float liaison and volunteer who gets to know the float operations well and accompanies the float on its five-mile parade journey.”
In addition to inspections, the “Alaska – Spirit of the Wild” float went for a test run. Fiesta Parade Floats volunteers filled in for Alaska’s float riders, and about halfway through the road test, a fire drill was conducted to ensure participants could evacuate the float within 45 seconds. “The Alaska float successfully completed its test run,” said Mark Penn, a four-year Tournament of Roses volunteer assigned to the Alaska float.
The float building process will continue, with the organic materials added beginning Dec. 27. Flowers are added last, with decorating expected to run around the clock through Dec. 30. Judging takes place Dec. 31. The float will debut on Jan. 1, 2009, in the 120th Rose Parade, which will be broadcast on ABC, NBC, Univision, HGTV, Travel Channel, and Discovery HD, as well as KWHY and KTLA in the greater Los Angeles area on New Year’s Day. The four-hour parade will be seen by more than one million on-site spectators and 40 million television viewers in the United States, and will be televised to 150-plus territories around the globe.
“This offers an excellent opportunity to showcase Alaska’s abundant natural beauty, stunning scenery, copious wildlife, rich history and indigenous cultural traditions to a worldwide audience,” said Julie Saupe, president and CEO of the Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau. “And the post-parade viewing event provides a one-on-one opportunity to reach out to one of the Alaska tourism industry’s most lucrative markets, California. Alaska experts will be on hand during the post event to engage potential future visitors.”
Two Alaskans have a chance to win a VIP trip for two to the Tournament of Roses parade and game, including VIP events leading up to the event. The trip includes round-trip air from Anchorage to the Los Angeles area, as well as accommodations for three nights, passes to special functions and VIP seating. The sweepstakes runs through Dec. 11. Visit www.Anchorage.net/Roses for more information and to enter.
The Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau’s (ACVB) mission is to attract and serve visitors to the Municipality of Anchorage as a Destination Marketing Organization (DMO). ACVB’s marketing functions are funded by one-third of the bed tax collected by lodging associations. One-third goes to the Municipality’s general fund, a contribution established in 1978, and one-third goes to the construction and annual maintenance costs of the Dena'ina Civic and Convention Center and the William A. Egan Civic & Convention Center. ACVB receives no state or federal funds. Explore www.Anchorage.net for more information.
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Media Contacts:
Jeanette Anderson Moores
Public Relations
Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau
jmoores@anchorage.net
(907) 276-4118
Explore www.Anchorage.net
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