Float building glue that binds Kiwanis family

Builders Club members from the California-Nevada-Hawaii District found themselves in a sticky situation recently. No, they weren’t in trouble. Rather, they were among the thousands of Kiwanis-family members—and their friends and relatives—who risked getting their hands and clothes covered with glue and petals this past December while decorating floats for the 2007 Rose Bowl Parade.

Ranchero Middle School Builders Club members work on one of the many floats destined for the 2007 Rose Bowl Parade.

Exhibiting traditional Builders Club “sticktoitiveness,” this Ranchero Middle School student applies adhesive to a Rose Bowl Parade float.

Holy Family Grade School Builders Club members meticulously place some organic materials on a Rose Bowl Parade float.

“Working on floats is an excellent way for Builders Club members to experience the magic of the Rose Bowl Parade before it unfolds,” notes Larry Madick, the district’s Builders Club administrator. “Don’t be mistaken, though, these kids are there to work. Every inch of these floats must be covered with organic materials—fruit, seeds, flowers, bark, and grasses—and Builders Club members get on-the-job training in applying all these things by hand.”

The Rosefloat of Pasadena, California, Kiwanis club works with the Phoenix Decorating Co. in coordinating the almost 7,000 Kiwanis-family members who pitch in each December to decorate more than 10 floats for the parade. In addition to Kiwanians and Builders Club members, California’s KIWIN’S, Key Clubbers, and Circle K club members join in on the fun. This is the third year Builders Club members have been allowed to work on floats.

“I started working on floats in 1958 and thought Builders Club members would enjoy the experience of working on floats and of working with fellow Kiwanis-family members,” Larry says. “Hopefully, they will continue their experiences through high school and beyond.

Volunteers must be 12-1/2 years old to work on floats, and Larry adds that the Builders Club members involved number in the hundreds, with most clubs sending anywhere from 10 to 50 members to work.