Flowers 4 the Float

The Nurses' Float
Celebrate and Honor All Nurses
at the 2013 Tournament of Roses Parade®

The Story of the Nurses’ Float

On January 1, 2013, Sally Bixby, RN completed her year as President of the Tournament of Roses. Sally was the first nurse to be president of the Rose Parade during its 124 year history and she was only the second woman to hold this prestigious position. A small group of nurses in Southern California saw Sally’s presidency as an opportunity to highlight the profession of nursing on an international stage by designing, building and decorating a Nurses’ Float. From 2007 when they held their first meeting through January 2, 2013 at the post Rose Parade viewing of all the floats, nurses around the country engaged in this exciting and historic project. Over 400,000 dollars was raised supporting a Nurses’ Float entitled “A Healing Place.” The float was beautiful and it touched the hearts of all who saw it. The Nurses’ Float was awarded the Craftsman Trophy which recognizes “outstanding showmanship and dramatic impact over 55 feet in length.”

The contents on this site tell the story in words and pictures.  Some of the information is chronological and the rest is just part of the story. Take a look at the pages that interest you and if you are just finding out about the Nurses’ Float you can get an idea of how tremendous this project was. If you were engaged in the project at any level of involvement have a wonderful trip down memory lane.

We are pleased to be able to leave a legacy of the Nurses’ Float through the establishment of a scholarship fund with the money that was left over from the float. Please visit the Scholarship page for more information.

 

A Healing Place--The Nurses' Float

As Sally Bixby, RN President of the Tournament of Roses went ahead of the Nurses' Float, the Nurses sitting along the parade route let her know that they were there enjoying the day watching the first Nurses' Float make history. It was a chilly but beautiful day and the beautiful float touched the hearts of everyone who saw it. On post parade day people told us they came back just to see the Nurses' Float. Thanks again to everyone for giving this dream life!