The American Armenian Rose Float Association, Inc. (AARFA) is proud to announce that it has been accepted for the third time into the Tournament of Roses Parade. The 128th Tournament will be held on January 2, 2017. Though a tremendous challenge, this project is a great vote of confidence for AARFA. With skilled and talented members and supporters, the float is sure to be a success, again this coming year. The Tournament of Roses began as a promotional effort by the distinguished Valley Hunt Club of Pasadena. In the winter of 1890, the club members invited their former East Coast neighbors to warmer California for a mid-winter holiday, where they would watch games like jousting, chariot races, polo, foot races and tug-of-war. Thanks to the warmer California weather and the abundance of fresh flowers, even in winter, the club decided to add another event to these festivities: a parade of carriages decorated with hundreds of blooms. This was the start of the world-famous Tournament of Roses Parade. On January 2, 2017, floats will be showcasing “Echoes of Success” down Colorado Blvd. along with high-stepping equestrian units and spirited marching bands. AARFA has decided to share ‘Echoes of Success” as a podium of the American Armenian diaspora success story. It is an honor to share Armenia as an sucess story in the world during the 2017 Rose Parade. This float belongs to every Armenian in the United States and around the world. One hundred years ago, the Tournament of Roses chose Mr. Pashgian, an American Armenian, as the Grand Marshall, and now, the American Armenian community will again be represented with a float for the third year in a row. It is the AARFA’s hope that the World Armenian communities support this float and help share “Echoes of Success”. AARFA is looking for corporate, media and individual sponsors who wish to support this project. Keep up with the latest information by visiting aarfa.org.
