Posted 1/1/19 – “Harmony’s Garden”, Sierra Madre Rose Float Association’s 2019 entry in the Tournament of Roses Parade, was the town’s 87th entry, going back to 1917. And for the thirteenth time in fourteen years, SMRFA’s entry has won an award, this year The Director’s Award, described by the Tournament as “most outstanding artistic design and use of floral and non floral materials.”
Congratulations to the Sierra Madre Rose Float Association for winning AGAIN!
In 2006, the “Wonder of Reading”, designed by Charles Meier, took the Founder’s Banner Trophy, for the most spectacular float built and decorated by volunteers from a community or organization. In 2007, “Our Wonderful Wistaria” designed by Charles Meier was the winner of the Lathrop K. Leishman Award, for most beautiful non-commercial float. 2008’s “Valentine’s Day”, again designed by Charles Meier, won the Princesses’ Award, for most beautiful float 35′ and under. In 2009, SMRFA and Meier’s streak continued with “Bollywood Dreams”, which again brought home the Lathrop K. Leishman Award, for most beautiful non-commercial float. In 2010, “California Girls”, designed by Dick Sappington, won the Governor’s Award for best depiction of life in California. Sierra Madre also got the Governor’s Award in 2011 for “Suenos de California”, again designed by Meier.
Gorgeous as it was, 2012’s Colorful Imagination did not garner any awards, but 2013’s “The Sky’s the Limit” put SMRFA back in the winner’s circle, taking home the Mayor’s Trophy. The Sky’s the Limit was designed by Charles Meier from a concept drawing by Sierra Madre resident Maria Murray. In 2014, “Catching the Big One” was a winner. Charles Meier was once again the designer.
In 2015, SMRFA’s entry “I Think I Can” based on the little train that could, and dedicated to Robert Young, longtime president of SMRFA who passed away in July of 2014, won The Mayor’s Trophy. The entry included the phrase “Forever Young” at the back of the train in his honor. Then in 2016, “Rollin’ on the River” took the Animation Trophy, described by the Tournament as “Best Animation and Motion.”
In 2017, SMRFA did it again, with “The Cat’s Away” taking the Mayor’s Trophy, for most outstanding float from a participating City! Last year’s “Chivalry!” took the Fantasy trophy for most outstanding display of fantasy and imagination.
And now, in 2019, SMRFA takes home another! Congratulations SMRFA!!
From SMRFA’s Facebook page re: when Harmony’s Garden will be in Kersting Court: “Following post-parade on Wednesday, January 2, we will be returning home to Sierra Madre and the float will once again be on display in Kersting Court (weather permitting, but that looks not to be an issue). Our estimated arrival to Kersting Court is between 6PM-7PM and I will post once en route and are coming back through town. We will remain there through the night and until late afternoon on Thursday, January 3. Any additional flowers will again be available to help us fund our to-be-determined 2020 entry.”