Louisiana will be on display to the world Saturday, in the 133rd annual Tournament of Roses Parade. Speaking from Pasadena, California, where the Louisiana float is being assembled, Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says the first-ever Rose Parade float representing a whole state must be made by the main rule: everything is made of flowers or plants. “The alligator has nuts cut in half for the humps on his back. Everything on it may look painted on TV, but it’s either seeds or oregano … and the shutters are green with parsley.”
The Louisiana “Feed Your Soul” float features cypress trees, pelicans, alligators, jazz and New Orleans; all represented with natural plant materials. As for float riders, Nungesser says they invited real Louisiana heroes to be in the parade, like hurricane first responders and front-line health care workers, teachers and more.
Parade floats often have music and Nungesser says Livingston Parish’s own Lane Hardy – a past American Idol winner – will be providing that. Nungesser worked hard to make arrangements for our state to take part in the parade, with a first-of-its-kind entry.
The Rose Parade broadcast starts at 10 am Louisiana time, and can be seen on ABC, NBC, the Hallmark Channel and on RFD TV.
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