Congratulations to this year's Rotary Rose Parade Float Committee for an outstanding float entry in this year's Pasadena Rose Parade.  The Float's theme was titled Planting the Seeds of ServiceThe Float showcased a whimsical bunny gazing at the just-planted peach tree, which appeared to be in shape and form like any other float entry.  However, if you look beyond the flowers, beyond the plant material, what you will find is the story of a child hungry for food, drinking bacteria infested water; the story of a mother's fight to take care of her family; the story of a family living in a region of conflict, struggling to survive.  If you looked deeper you will see the bunny as a symbol of the watchful gaze of Rotarians;  the tree as a symbol of life growing the seeds of service provided by Rotarians' worldwide and bearing the fruit of Rotary's Six Areas of Focus -  giving hope to all children, all mothers, and all families for a better world.  To enhance this message a real sapling from one of Hiroshima's A-Bomb survivor trees was on the float and later planted in one of Rotary's Peace Gardens to help promote peace and green legacy.  The 2018 Rotary Rose Parade Float Committee's Float is a story of responsibility to our planet, our children and our humanity.    The Float, which was decorated with thousands of flowers and seeds was the winner of the Princesses' Trophy - Most outstanding floral presentation among entries 35 feet and under in length.  The Float was constructed by the Phoenix Decorating Company.

 
The seven sustain Districts each sponsored a walker for the Float.  District 5340 was represented by Brett Morey from the La Jolla Golden Triangle  Rotary Club.   Riding in front of the Float was John Matthews, Rotary International Director for Zones 25/26  and Paul Netzel, Chair of the Rotary Foundation Trustees.