Tournament of Roses Parade (2014)

Designing for the Tournament of Roses Parade fulfilled a childhood dream I never thought possible. In 2014, my journey began when SeaWorld approached me to create their 50th Anniversary float, "A Sea of Surprises." Drawing on my unique background in both theatrical design and horticulture (yes, I was in Future Farmers of America!), I crafted a vibrant underwater world featuring a young boy snorkeling through a coral reef. The design captured exactly what SeaWorld wanted to convey—allowing viewers to see the majesty of the ocean through a child's eyes.

Working with the legendary Fiesta Parade Floats was a masterclass in this unique art form. The process of transforming my renderings into a three-dimensional spectacle adorned with millions of flowers and natural materials was both exhilarating and humbling. Our float won the President's Award for Most Effective Floral Use and Presentation—an incredible honor for my first parade design. Even more exciting, during the construction process, Tim Estes invited me to design directly for Fiesta the following year, launching what has become an unexpected and joyful chapter in my career.

Want to discover how my float went from concept to award-winning spectacle?

‍Click here to read my story about the route to float design.