One of my favorite events for the past few years as been participating in decorating the Dole Packaged Foods Tournament of Roses Parade float.We’ve been invited a couple of times now to celebrate with The Dole Packaged Foods Family as they gather together to put their mark on the record-holding Sweepstakes Trophy winning floats. This year, they are hoping for their 6th consecutive win.

Dole Packaged Food’s 2016 float, “Soaring Over Paradise,” explores the world’s precious rainforests where more than 30 million species of plants and animals can be found. The float includes four fresh waterfalls, a zip-line that will allow a rider to travel through the lush rainforest canopy, and a flock of brilliantly colored sculptured Macaws that appear to take flight over the dense floral floor of the float. The Macaws are a special tribute to famed float designer Raul R. Rodriguez, who designed DOLE’s winning 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014 Rose Parade floats, all with his pet Macaw, Sebastian, right by his side. Rodriguez designed 528 floats during his 38-year long career, 31 of which were Sweepstakes Trophy winners in the Rose Parade.

This year, Dole Packaged Foods is expanding its Rose Parade presence in 2016 with a special tribute to famed float designer Raul R. Rodriguez.

“Raul was a member of the Dole Packaged Foods family and helped us not only create vibrant, colorful and exotic floats, but also to tell the stories of our heritage and the many cultures that contribute to our mission of inspiring healthy lifestyles,” said Dave Spare, Vice President of Marketing, Dole Packaged Foods. “This year we are honoring our friend by dedicating our 2016 Rose Parade float entry to him, and expanding DOLE’s presence with activities the week prior to the Rose Parade.”

To further honor Rodriguez, Dole is making a monetary donation in the designers’ name to California State University Long Beach, where he is a distinguished alumni.

I recall meeting Raul Rodriguez the first time we participated in decorating with Dole, and I was completely star struck! As a fan of the Tournament of Roses Parade and watching them since I was a child with my mom, I had always admired the beauty and artistry of his designs. To meet him have the chance to chat with him was such an honor.

The 2016 Dole Packaged Foods float also highlights Dole’s environmental practices with the beauty and respect for natural resources and commitment to non-GMO packaged fruit through its vibrant depiction. Featured throughout the float we will see fresh, non-GMO fruits and vegetables grown by DOLE, including bananas, pineapples and mangoes.

This year during Family Day at Dole, we had the opportunity to help decorate some of the flour troughs that will be holding the beautiful bouquets and rows of flowers on the float. It’s quite amazing to think that these floats need to be covered 100% by living materials. We covered these troughs with glue and parsley.

It’s amazing to see the framework of the actual float. If you look closely you are able to see where the driver sits, way down in the bottom of the float (the dark hole right in the center).

In addition to the fresh fruits and vegetables being displayed on the float, Dole will have a major presence at the first “Live on Green” event in Downtown Pasadena.  The three day event, Dec. 29 – 31, at the Pasadena Convention Center will have a special memoriam for Raul R. Rodriguez. Dole will also have live food and beverage demos with Dole California Cook-Off champion Ally Phillips from AllysKitchen.com throughout the event. Attendees will enjoy unique and rare exhibitions, fun activities as well as indulge in healthy snacks, and beverages at The Dole Bistro.

“Live on Green” will also be fun for the little ones as children will be able to play at the Scholarshare Toddler Play Area at the Family Fun Zone and catch live performances. For more information about the event visit: liveongreenpasadena.com.

GIVEAWAY!!!

Now, to kick off the final road to the 2016 Rose Parade, Dole is launching a sweepstakes. You have a chance to win two tickets to travel to a rainforest paradise! Now through midnight on December 31, 2015,enter for a chance to win a grand prize Hawaiian vacation, including hotel and airfare. For more information about the sweepstakes, and to enter, visit Facebook.com/DolePackaged or Dole.com/paradise. Good Luck!

About Dole Packaged Foods
Dole Packaged Foods LLC is a world leader in growing, sourcing, distributing and marketing fruit and healthy snacks. Dole sells a full-line of packaged ambient fruit, frozen fruit, dried fruit, and juices. The company focuses on four pillars of sustainability in all of its operations: water management, carbon footprint, soil conservation and packaging. For more information please visit www.dolepackaged.com or www.doleintlcsr.com.

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