We were tipped off that the three Grand Marshals and their families would be at the car decorating tent on Saturday to sit in the classic automobiles that will drive them down Colorado Blvd. in the 128th Tournament of Roses Parade. The parade is held on Monday, Jan. 2, 2017 because of the “Never on Sunday” rule. Olympians Janet Evans, Greg Louganis, and Allison Felix climbed into the cars with huge grins on their faces. Be sure to take a look at the photos below.
FTD floral designer J. Keith White, AIFD CFD, has decorated the vehicles used in the parade for a dozen years. He chooses colors and floral materials that complement the color and design of the cars. Or buses, trolleys, and mule team wagons that he is called on to beautify for the Rose Parade. None of the three Grand Marshal cars—a 1915 Pierce Arrow for Evans, a 1937 Bentley for Louganis, and a 1911 Pope-Hartford for Felix—has been in the Rose Parade before. All will be driven by their owners, and White made sure that each one has the Olympic rings on the front.
2017 Grand Marshal Janet Evans poses with husband Bill Willson and children Jake and Sydney in a seven passenger 1915 Pierce Arrow Phaeton.
All decked out for the 2017 Rose Parade, the 1915 Pierce Arrow Phaeton is owned by Joe and Janice Conzonire. Joe’s brother Corky was president of the Tournament of Roses for the 2009 celebration.
2017 Grand Marshal Greg Louganis, left, and husband Johnny Chaillot will ride in a gorgeous 1937 Bentley 4 ¼ liter.
The 1937 Bentley was often called the Derby Bentley, because it was built in the Rolls Royce plant in Derby, England. It’s owned by Barry G. Hon.
We got this shot the day before the Grand Marshals arrived. Pete Samek, a FTD designer places floral materials on the Bentley.
2017 Grand Marshal Allyson Felix stands by her ride, a 1911 Pope-Hartford, Model W, Pony Tonneau.
The 1911 Pope-Hartford, Model W, Pony Tonneau is owned by Ted Bowers, who drove it over 100,000 miles after purchasing it in 1946. He fully restored the car in 1982.
An arrangement of white and yellow roses, sunflowers, calla lilies, and yes, heads of cabbage nestles in a spare tire on the 1911 Pope-Hartford.
