The Illinois Office of Tourism is making its first-ever float for the annual Tournament of Roses Parade along Route 66 on Jan. 2 in Pasadena, California.
The 24-foot-tall float features nearly 30,000 flowers and took about 22,000 volunteer hours to create, according to a news release.
More about the float:
The Enjoy Illinois float will also feature a live musical performance from “American Idol” finalist and Illinois native Grace Kinstler, who will perform her original song “Leo.”
On one end, the float features a replica of the bronze bust of Abraham Lincoln from Lincoln’s Tomb, a historic Route 66 sign and a recreation of the iconic Centennial Wheel at Chicago’s Navy Pier. The opposite end showcases the Garden of the Gods in Southern Illinois’ Shawnee National Forest, including a real waterfall with flowing water and towering trees sporting fall colors.
The parade goes down 5 1/2 miles of Colorado Boulevard (aka Route 66) in Pasadena. This will be the 134th edition of the event.
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