by Laura Berthold Monteros
All the Rose Parade floats are so beautiful and creative that we thought readers would like to know more about them all. Here’s a list of all the floats that were in the 129th Rose Parade on Jan. 1, 2018, along with their designers and builders, and the awards won in both 2018 and 2017. This year’s winners are in bold.
Floats that did not compete in judging are presenting sponsor American Honda Motor Company, Tournament of Roses entries (theme banner float, the two football universities, Queen & Court), and Wells Fargo. For an explanation of the new awards for 2018, read “Rose Parade trophies get an update for 2018.”
129th Rose Parade Floats
| Sponsor | Title | Builder | Designer | 2018 Award | 2017 Trophy |
| 24 Hour Fitness | “Proud Sponsor of Everyday Athletes” | AES | John Ramirez | Crown City Innovation | |
| Ag PhD TV and Radio | “Salute to Farmers” | AES | John Ramirez | Wrigley Legacy | |
| AIDS Healthcare Foundation | “Keeping the Promise” | Fiesta Parade Floats | Art Aguirre | Lathrop K. Leishman | |
| Amazon Prime Grand Tour | “Make Your Own Momentuum” | Paradiso Parade Floats | Charles Meier | Crown City Innovator | |
| American Armenian Rose Float Association | “Armenian Roots” | Phoenix Decorating | Johnny Kanounji | Judges | Past Presidents |
| American Honda Motor Company | “Power of Dreams Express” | Phoenix Decorating | Michelle Lofthouse | ||
| Burbank Tournament of Roses Association | “Sand-Sational Helpers” | Self-Built | Catherine Glandeon, Fred Fraleigh | Founder | |
| Cal Poly Universities | “Dreams Take Flight” | Self-Built | N/A | Past President | Founders’ |
| China Airlines | “Caring for Our Sea” | AES | John Ramirez | International | International |
| City of Alhambra, CA | “Story Time” | Phoenix Decorating | Mike Abboud | ||
| City of Carson | “Honoring the Past – Envisioning Our Future” | Fiesta Parade Floats | Art Aguirre | ||
| City of Hope | “Transforming Our Lives with Hope” | Phoenix Decorating | Michelle Lofthouse | Isabella Coleman | |
| City of Los Angeles | “Everyone Is Welcome” | Fiesta Parade Floats | Mike Abboud | ||
| City of Riverside | “25th Annual Festival of Lights” | Fiesta Parade Floats | Stanley Meyer | Golden State | |
| City of Torrance | “Protecting Nature…The Madrona Marsh Preserve” | Fiesta Parade Floats | Art Aguirre | Mayor | Tournament Volunteers |
| Dole Packaged Foods | “Sharing Nature’s Bounty” | Fiesta Parade Floats | Stanley Meyer | Grand Marshal’s | Sweepstakes |
| Donate Life | “The Gift of Time” | Paradiso Parade Floats | Charles Meier | Theme | Theme |
| Downey Rose Float Association | “Working Together” | Self-Built | Jeff Shadic, Jason Redfox, Thom Neighbors | Queen | Governor’s |
| Farmers Insurance | “Red Hot Mascot. Seen it, covered it” | Phoenix Decorating | Dave Pittman | American | Grand Marshal’s |
| Kaiser Permanente | “Inspiring Healthy Communities” | Fiesta Parade Floats | Stanley Meyer | ||
| Kiwanis International | “Racing to Serve Children” | Phoenix Decorating | Michelle Lofthouse | ||
| La Cañada Flintridge Tournament of Roses Association | “Panda-monium” | Self-Built | Renee’ Hoss-Johnson, Brianne Johnson | Bob Hope Humor | Bob Hope Humor |
| Lions Clubs International | “Preserving Our Environment” | Phoenix Decorating | Michelle Lofthouse | ||
| Lucy Pet | “Paws for Life” | Fiesta Parade Floats | Mike Abboud | Extraordinaire | |
| Lutheran Laymen’s League | “Bringing Christ to the Nations” | Phoenix Decorating | Michelle Lofthouse | ||
| Miracle-Gro | “150 Years of Growing” | Fiesta Parade Floats | Stanley Meyer | Queen’s | |
| Northwestern Mutual | “Letting Kids Be Kids” | Fiesta Parade Floats | Stanley Meyer | Animation | |
| Odd Fellows Rebekahs Rose Float | “Sacrifice to Serve” | Phoenix Decorating | Michelle Lofthouse | Director | |
| Queen & Court | Fiesta Parade Floats | ||||
| Rotary | “Planing the Seeds of Service” | Phoenix Decorating | Michelle Lofthouse | Princess | Princess’ |
| Shriners Hospitals for Children | “Caring for Kids Around the World” | Phoenix Decorating | Cynthia McMinimy | Tournament Volunteer | |
| Sierra Madre Rose Float Association | “Chivalry!” | Self-Built | Joanne Garcia (concept) | Fantasy | Mayor’s |
| Singpoli American BD | “Rising Above” | Paradiso Parade Floats | Charles Meier | Sweepstakes | Fantasy |
| South Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association | “Booster Club” | Self-Built | SPTORA Design Committee | ||
| The Forum | “The Story Lives On” | Phoenix Decorating | |||
| The UPS Store, Inc. | “Books Bring Dreams to Life” | Paradiso Parade Floats | Charles Meier | Extraordinaire | Isabella Coleman |
| Theme Banner Float | “Making a Difference” | Phoenix Decorating | |||
| Trader Joe’s | “Hats Off” | Phoenix Decorating | Michelle Lofthouse | Showmanship | Tournament Special |
| Underground Service Alert of Southern California (DIGALERT) | “Making It Safe for All” | Fiesta Parade Floats | Stanley Meyer | Animation | |
| United Sikh Mission | “Serving Kindness” | Phoenix Decorating | Michelle Lofthouse | Leishman Public Spirit | |
| Wells Fargo Closing Show | “America’s New Year Celebration” | Phoenix Decorating | |||
| Western Asset Management Company | “Oceans of Possibility” | Phoenix Decorating | Michelle Lofthouse | President | Director’s |