Talk:Tournament of Roses floats

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[edit] Float Facts

Float facts: Not sure what the 25 tons of steel is supposed to represent; it's more than is used in the typical single float, and far less than is used in all (46 or so) floats combined. A float that weighs 25 tons total, including engine, chassis, float, and decoration, would be a slightly heavy float. I think that fact needs a cite.

For comparison, Phoenix Decorating says (http://www.phxdeco.com/build.php) that they will use 300 tons in 19 floats -- or roughly 15 tons per float, and they also say 25 tons total float weight -- those numbers sound reasonable to me. I'm changing the figure to 15 unless someone can support 25 somehow. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 216.103.50.52 (talk) 20:13, 15 May 2008 (UTC)

Where is that information? From your referenced site, it says: "And... - What makes the floats float? Generally it’s not air. Due to the weight of many floats (up to 50,000 pounds) the tires are foam or gel filled to ensure against flats or blowouts." 25 tons = 50,000 pounds, for the whole float? All the items came from the Pasadena Official Visitors Guide 2007/2008. The 2.5 miles per hour for the 5.5 miles in 3 hours doesn't add up. Ucla90024 (talk) 21:10, 15 May 2008 (UTC)

I agree, the speed/time information looks wrong as well. The parade currently takes 2 hours to pass a given point (at least, the camera point), and a touch longer for a float to go from one end of the parade to the other. There was an all-out push last year to get the parade into the 2 hour window for TV purposes -- in previous years, 2.5 hours or so was more typical, and that's the figure still quoted on the Tournament's web site (later in the route, that may be accurate). If memory serves, our float passed camera row around 8:25 last year, and we pulled into post-parade around 11:00. If I get a chance (and there's interest), I'll check out our time-lapse and get some exact times.

The steel information is on that same page I referenced: Steel - 300 tons -- and in the intro to the page, it says they are building 19 floats. Simple division gives around 15 tons/float. Looking through my invoices from last year, I'd estimate our medium-largish float used about 5 tons of steel, but that's on top of another 7 or so tons of (mostly steel) chassis (our chassis is heavier than many). We usually estimate 12.5 tons for the whole float, though last year was larger than usual for us. I know that can't be used due to WP:NOR which is why I went with Phoenix's numbers. I looked through the whole Visitor's Bureau site, and didn't see anything about the steel -- or was this only in a printed document? (On the other hand, 10 tons of deco materials, wood, foam, water, fuel, riders, etc. seems high as well -- even for floats with waterfalls. -- Then again, we're considering putting a counterweight of a ton or so onto a major moving part of this year's float.) 216.103.50.52 (talk) 06:13, 16 May 2008 (UTC)

Incidentally, while I'm not sure when the last working roller coaster was -- I know Downey built one, and maybe 1998's Rollerbunnies was it -- I found out today that Cal Poly will be building one this year. The drawing is posted on their web site, showing a roller coaster, but it doesn't actually say there that it will be functional; I only know that from talking to them. So we'll be able to knock off at least one "when" once that becomes officially announced. 216.103.50.52 (talk) 07:14, 19 May 2008 (UTC)

[edit] 2009 float building

• Do you know how many floats have been approved and started construction? Ucla90024 (talk) 15:03, 19 May 2008 (UTC)

• • Not yet. I know that 7 Phoenix floats (of at least 17) have already had their first test drive, which means their outline is at least largely complete (those same floats are scheduled for their second test drive on 7 June, at which time they should be ready to paint), but the current test schedule is too incomplete to determine totals. It only shows 20 floats from 2 builders, omitting the second largest builder, the 6 self-builts, and the NAMM float which is usually built in Oregon; it also doesn't show the 3 unjudged floats (queen and 2 football teams). At this stage, the pros may still be trying to sell another float or two. As far as I know, only 1 or at most 2 self-builts have begun construction: Downey just got power back last week after recovering from copper thefts, South Pas traditionally doesn't start until Labor Day, Burbank and Cal Poly are still finishing design work. Sierra Madre is well on their way; not sure about La Canada/Flintridge. 216.103.50.52 (talk) 16:53, 20 May 2008 (UTC)

• Thanks. Maybe I will go take a look and take some pictures. -- Ucla90024 (talk) 17:38, 20 May 2008 (UTC)

• Don't think this is an appropriate forum for discussing the float test schedule. All that info is available to committee members. If not a tournament member, see if they are willing to give you the info.
• The first float test of the 3 required is for the chasie without any support structure on it. The Orange Locusts must be at all tests but early tests may not have the assigned liaison yet.
• Maybe we should create an entry about the Orange Locusts

Saltysailor (talk) 11:12, 21 May 2008 (UTC)