Burbank Tournament of Roses Association is preparing a show.

It’s going to weigh upwards of nine tons, travel 5.5 miles, and incorporate fire and water elements into the spectacle.

Of course, the “show” is their upcoming Rose Parade® float.

Called, “Having A-Lava Fun”, the float incorporates animation, special effects and a lot of imagination.

Nonprofit Burbank Tournament of Roses Association is a “self-built”–one of the six independent, noncommercial floatbuilders creating floats which they’ll drive in Pasadena’s Tournament of Roses® Parade on New Year’s Day.

A tradition of excellence

According to their website, Burbank Tournament of Roses Association have been participating in the parade since 1914! In those 110 years, they’ve garnered numerous awards. These include the Mayor Award, this past January, for “Most Outstanding Entry From a Participating City”, for their 2024 entry, “Caterpillar Melody”.

And, quick note–even as they prepare for the 2025 parade, coming up on New Year’s Day, Burbank ToR are thinking a year ahead! Their 2026 Design Contest is currently in progress. Submissions will be accepted from now through 8 pm on Wednesday, January 29, 2025. Here’s a link for more information!

Your chance to get involved

While the show happens on New Year’s Day, Burbank Tournament of Roses Association works year-round on their incredible floats. And they welcome volunteers–especially those who can work with them throughout the year. (Here’s where to find out more.)

Steve Edward is Burbank ToR’s Vice President-Float, and Bob Hutt is their Vice-President Administration. In this episode of Over Coffee®, we explore the ways S.T.E.A.M. (science, technology, engineering, art and math) elements work together in creating their award-winning floats.

On this edition of Over Coffee® we cover:

• How Bob and Steve first became involved in building Rose Parade® floats;

• Some of the challenges of building their 2025 float, through the lens of S.T.E.A.M.;

• Some of the weight considerations on the float;

• And, some of the technological considerations

• A lesson in engineering!

• A preview of the special effects New Year’s Day audiences will see, from “Having A-Lava Fun”;

• The story of the float design;

• One of the creative lessons Bob and Steve each learned from constructing their award-winning 2024 float, “Caterpillar Melody”, which has stood them in good stead for creating “Having A-Lava Fun”;

• Some of the math involved in float construction;

• How you can support Burbank Tournament of Roses as they work independently to create their spectacular floats.