Karen S. Kim
A hush fell over the crowd as the judges from the Tournament of
Roses Assn. strode into the warehouse where about a dozen floats were
stored.
Workers frantically sweeping up fallen flower petals and leftover
leaves scurried away. Nervous giggles from giddy float riders were
cut short, and onlookers abruptly stopped their chatter.
With a ringing of a bell, the judges were off, starting with
Glendale's "Enchanting Dreams" float for the 2003 Tournament of Roses
Parade.
As lilting music from Tchaikovsky's "Swan Lake" poured out of
speakers, the judges, wearing matching navy sportscoats and rose
boutonnieres, began to circle Glendale's float.
"This is a thrill of a lifetime for me," said Jim Sokoloff, a
Glendale decoration crew chief who will ride on the float with his
daughter Jeneda, 17, today. "This is the one time this is ever going
to happen for me. I've been turning this thing on television every
year, and now I'm a part of it."
Glendale's float includes a large coconut-covered swan, floating
on a lake of multi-colored roses. Riders sit in two boats beside the
swan and on a large heart-shaped swing behind the float.
The boats bear the names "Paul E I" and "Paul E II" in honor of
longtime Glendale Rose Float Assn. volunteer Paul Estep, who died in
November.
Kirk Kopic and daughter Lindsey, 7, will ride in one of the boats
today. The two won a chance to ride the float at a charity event for
the Glendale Rose Float Assn.
"At first, Lindsey didn't think it was that big of a deal because
when we came home and told her, she was falling asleep," Kirk Kopic
said. "But the next day, she went and told her friends at Verdugo
Woodlands, and then she got really excited."
Glendale Rose Float Assn. volunteers decorated the "Enchanting
Dreams" float, as well as IHOP's "Winter Fun" float. "Winter Fun"
includes large floral birds, perched atop branches hovering over an
ice rink. A young girl will ice skate down the parade route on the
float.
The results of the final judging Tuesday will be announced today
during the parade, which will be broadcast at 8 a.m. on KTLA-TV
Channel 5.
Several miles away from Pasadena, La Canada Flintridge float
volunteers were also receiving some recognition. Los Angeles County
Fire Department Chief P. Michael Freeman hosted a ceremony for the
families of New York City firefighters who will walk beside the city
of La Canada Flintridge's float today. The two New York firefighters
will be joined by firefighters from L.A. County Fire Station 82 at
352 Foothill Blvd.
La Canada Flintridge's "Backyard Heroes" float depicts two boys
dressed in oversized firefighter turnouts and hats and playing on a
fire engine. One of the boys sprays a young girl playing with teddy
bears with a hose.
