Media Advisory

Alaska Rose Parade Float Wins National Award

WHO:
Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau, the Alaska Railroad, the Alaska Travel Industry Association and the Alaska Statehood Celebration Commission

WHAT:
Alaska’s float, “Celebrating Alaska – Spirit of the Wild” wins national trophy – “Best Depiction of Life in the USA – Past, Present or Future” – at the Tournament of Roses Parade

WHEN:
Jan. 1, 2009

WHERE:
Pasadena, Calif.

The float representing Alaska at the 2009 Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, Calif. on Thursday received a national trophy -- “Best Depiction of Life in the USA – Past, Present or Future.”

“We are absolutely thrilled to have won this award,” said Julie Saupe, president and CEO of the Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau. “We’ve applied to be in the parade for six years in a row now, so to have won an award in our very first outing is just incredible.”

The appearance in this year’s parade is particularly timely as Alaska prepares to celebrate its 50th anniversary of statehood on Jan. 3, 2009.

The float, designed by Fiesta Parade Floats designer Raul Rodriguez, featured masks representing all five major Alaska Native cultural groupings in Alaska; wildlife including a bald eagle, humpback whale, moose, bear, puffins salmon, king crab and walrus; mushing and Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race champion Libby Riddles; and outdoor life including kayakers and hikers. The Alaska float was among 24 award winners.

The float was sponsored Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau and several other Alaska partners, including the Alaska Travel Industry Association, the Alaska Railroad, the Alaska Statehood Celebration Commission and the Anchorage Statehood Celebration.

For more information about Alaska’s entry in the Rose Parade, visit www.anchorage.net/roses.

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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